Sonja Leitner

I'm an ecologist and biogeochemist working on nutrient cycling and GHG emissions in East and West African agro-ecosystems.

[Sonja Leitner @sonja_leitner]

Proud to see our #CIRNA_project featured as an example for climate-friendly agriculture solutions at #COP30!

[ILRI.org @ILRI]

Curious about sustainable livestock solutions? Follow us to find out more!

The CIRcularity of Nutrients in AgroecoSystems and co-benefits on animal and human health (CIRNA) project aims to minimize GHG emissions, enhance organic fertilizer, and safeguard human and animal health.

The project has also generated country-specific data to improve estimations of national emissions and evaluate mitigation options.

See link in comments to read more!

#ILRIClimateStories #COP30

@sonja_leitner

[Sonja Leitner @sonja_leitner]

Before starting a new project with farmers, it's critical to meet local decision-makers, inform them of your plans, and address their needs and expectations. Read more about the recent inception workshops for our CIRNA project in Kenya & Uganda here:

https://t.co/LBowfsPPdH

[Sonja Leitner @sonja_leitner]

@ILRI @Mazingira_ILRI @CGIAR This research is possible thanks to our excellent partners at @TU_Muenchen, @LancasterUni, @Jooustonline, @uonbi, @agroscope, and @AarhusUni.

@MarianaCRufino @John_Quinton @LutzMerbold

[Sonja Leitner @sonja_leitner]

Happy #WorldSoilDay! How much #carbon is stored in Kenya's #rangeland #soils? Find out what the team at @Mazingira_ILRI is doing in the #CarboGrass project and the @CGIAR #LivestockClimateInitiative to find the answer!

@ILRI @LutzMerbold @ArndtClaudia

https://t.co/aKOtG4WJ9M

[Sonja Leitner @sonja_leitner]

We launched our #CIRNA project #CIRcularity of Nutrients in #AgroecoSystems and co-benefits on animal and human #health in #Uganda yesterday, to develop #manure management practices for #smallholder pig farms for better organic #fertilizer, #sanitation, and #livelihoods. @ILRI

[Regenerate Africa @RegenerateAfri]

#HappeningNow
CIRcularity of Nutrients in Agroecosystems and co-benefits for animal and human health (CIRNA) project

The CIRNA project is to develop, access and promote farmer approved, field tested manure management practices for smallholder mixed crop-pig systems in Uganda.

[Regenerate Africa @RegenerateAfri]

Manure management plays a crucial role in addressing climate change.
Properly managed manure can be valuable for sustainable agriculture. If mishandled, it can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, like methane, nitrous oxide (N20), potent greenhouse gases.
#CIRNAproject

[Regenerate Africa @RegenerateAfri]

Potential role for #CIRNAproject
Research and evidence generation - Data collection for effective manure management
Capacity building: Engage local stakeholders in co- developing applicable solutions to manure management
Policy recommendations: Providing evidence based insight

[ILRI.org @ILRI]

🌍✨ The 9th Global Greenhouse Gas and Animal Agriculture (GGAA) Conference will be held from 5-9 October 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya 🇰🇪

🔬💡 Submit your abstracts by 15 December 15 2024
👉 https://t.co/o4pGgPswvE

#GGAA2025 #CallForAbstracts

[Sonja Leitner @sonja_leitner]

Exciting postdoc opportunity at @agroscope Switzerland that includes collaboration with us at @ILRI @Mazingira_ILRI to look at #sustainability of smallholder mixed crop-livestock systems in #Kenya and #Uganda!

[Sonja Leitner @sonja_leitner]

We're looking for a motivated postdoc to work with us in Kenya on sustainable manure and soil management for smallholder farmers & pastoralists in Africa! See the job advert here: https://t.co/tLK8KxJFQs

[Sebastian Doetterl @SebDoetterl]

New paper out in GBC by Daniel Wasner from @ETH_SoilRes on the changing importance of major soil C fractions for #soilcarbon storage along pegenetic and geoclimatic gradients. Microaggregates matter, in particular in high SOC and more developed soils!
https://t.co/kCChr22Y5C

[Sonja Leitner @sonja_leitner]

@mitchellsmartin @ArndtClaudia @Mazingira_ILRI Thanks @mitchellsmartin, and we're actually also looking at grazing and soil carbon storage! :) Happy to have a chat to explain more about how we're trying to get the full picture.

[Mazingira Centre @Mazingira_ILRI]

🌱Healthy soils = healthy pastures = well fed livestock! Check out our latest research on easy indicators for degraded tropical soils! @habtamu_wakshum from @TU_Muenchen @ILRI w/ @MarianaCRufino @sonja_leitner is finding simple methods communities can use https://t.co/PG9xZfZzv1

[ILRI.org @ILRI]

Tropical grasslands support livestock. And the soils they grow on influence their resilience and productivity. But who is monitoring the soils?

At #Kapiti research station, it's scientists from @LancasterUni, @TU_Muenchen & ILRI on a 'soil safari'.

https://t.co/R43W2OuF87

[Sonja Leitner @sonja_leitner]

This work was supported by the @CGIAR through the #LivestockClimateInitiative and the initiative on #LowEmissionsFoodSystems #MITIGATE+, as well as the EU-DeSIRA funded #ESSA project.

@PetriPellikka

[Sonja Leitner @sonja_leitner]

We are missing a big chunk of African #GHG emissions because there's no category for it! Read more in our latest paper on emissions from traditional #livestock enclosures or "bomas" in #Kenia.

Link to paper:
https://t.co/cmn69s5YyD

[Sonja Leitner @sonja_leitner]

We're hiring a postdoc to work on pasture #biodiversity, #SoilHealth, #GHG emissions and grazing management in mixed smallholder farms in Kenya! Joint position between @BangorUni and @ILRI.

[Mazingira Centre @Mazingira_ILRI]

🌿 We're hiring! #Postdoc needed for HABITAT project at @BangorUni & @ILRINairobi. Specializing in biodiversity research & modeling skills. Apply now: https://t.co/JYJKQoUhqV #ResearchJobs #AcademicTwitter Deadline: 06-02-2024

[Ed Hawkins @ed_hawkins]

Global temperatures in 2023 are extraordinary.

The various different datasets available all agree on this. We are breaking records by shocking amounts.

Graphic by @micefearboggis

[FAO Newsroom @FAOnews]

A new @FAO report offers a comprehensive assessment of options to reduce methane emissions from livestock & rice systems.

Methane accounts for about 20% of GHG emissions and is 25 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere.
https://t.co/LVYWhMWaj4

[Mazingira Centre @Mazingira_ILRI]

Read here a recent interview with our Postdoc Yuhao Zhu and scientist @sonja_leitner on our South-South collaboration between African and Chinese scientists to reduce #GHG emissions in Kenya's smallholder farms.
@ILRI @ArndtClaudia @CGIAR @TAHMO_World

https://t.co/l6AN5YLYyo