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Research projects 5
The overall aim of the project is to improve productivity, livelihoods, nutrition and household wellbeing in Ghana and Uganda, while counteracting environmental degradation and mineral depletion caused by monocultures. The study will address both the individual farm level and the rural community level. Introducing the use of biofertilizers through a participatory process can highlight the potential of location-based resources, and empower the community more widely.
Team
Sumelius John (Project manager, Lindström Kristina (Principal investigator), Benjamin Ahiabor, John Baptist Tumuhairwe, Åsa Frostegård, Aserse Aregu (Participant), Vihinen Hilkka (Project manager), Sell Mila (Project manager), Sipiläinen Timo (Participant), Bäckman, Stefan, (Participant) Rosengren, Linda (Other)
Our work is related to the use of macroalgae as a renewable feedstock for the production of valuable chemicals and/or biofuels. Our goal is to select optimal processes in order to add value to marine biomass, which can lead the production of valuable chemicals and/or biofuels. In Finland we are focused on chemical treatments for algae, that mainly stand for deconstruction of the biomass matrix which can selectively separate carbohydrates, which consequently can be further processed for biofuels production. Chilean collaborators are mainly focused on biotechnological processes, on the development of new enzymes for degradation of algae carbohydrates and new microorganisms capable to ferment particular monomers into bioethanol.
Team
Ricardo Pezoa, Päivi Mäki-Arvela, Jyri-Pekka Mikkola
Scientific assessments and politics addressing environmental changes rarely involve local residents and their knowledge. Usually reasons of demographic growth and environmental mismanagement are used to justify local degradation; however, our aim is to understand the local perspective about causes and reasons of the degradation that causes insecurity, livelihood changes, migration trends and other decisions that bring into further environmental degradation. An ethnographic research has been conducted in two catchments of Taita Hills, South-East Kenya. Participatory mapping, observation, transect walks, historical timelines, semi-structured interviews with experts and civil society representatives, as well as focus groups were employed as main methods of data gathering.
Team
Paola Minoia, Johanna Hohenthal, Belinda Kivivuori, Marinka Leppänen, Emmah Owidi.
This study aims to investigate and analyze the current and future drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in Cameroon and Republic of the Congo, and to discuss policy implications. The study also aims to analyze how drivers of deforestation and forest degradation have changed over the past 10 years; and investigate major challenges and barriers to address drivers of deforestation and forest degradation.
Team
Marcus Lindner
We have a long-term study on wild mouse lemurs in Ranomafana National Park in southwestern Madagascar in montane rainforest, which has concentrated on senescence ecology, including hormone levels and dental wear rates, and parasite dynamics.
Team
Dr. Jukka Jernvall, Dr. Juha Laakkonen, Dr. Patricia Wright, Dr. Sarah Zohdy, Andry Herman Rafalinirina