I am an ecologist and biogeochemist working on carbon and nitrogen cycling in natural and agricultural ecosystems. I investigate nutrient transformations and nutrient losses via leaching and gaseous emissions, with a special focus on greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, CH4, N2O). Currently, my research focuses on options for soil and manure management that reduce nutrient losses to improve livestock productivity and help to mitigate climate change. I work in both mixed crop-livestock systems as well as rangelands and am currently involved in projects in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Burkina Faso.

My Blog Posts

Mazingira Centre – a role model for environmental research infrastructure in Africa

Environmental externalities and greenhouse gas emissions from water pans and bomas in pastoral systems

Digging into Bomas

My Publications

ILRI publication cover

Greenhouse gas emissions from sheep excreta deposited onto tropical pastures in Kenya

  • Zhu, Yuhao
  • Butterbach-Bahl, Klaus
  • Merbold, Lutz
  • Oduor, Collins
  • Gakige, Jesse K.
  • Mwangi, Paul
  • Leitner, Sonja
ILRI publication cover

Editorial: Greenhouse gas measurements in underrepresented areas of the world

  • Pérez Quezada, J.F.
  • Meijide, A.
  • Leitner, Sonja

Climate change adaptation and mitigation in mixed livestock systems in East Africa: Findings from the Programme for Climate-Smart Livestock Systems

  • Arndt, Claudia
  • Gichuki, Leah
  • Graham, Michael
  • Goshme, S.
  • Habermann, Birgit
  • Kiptoo, Emmaculate
  • Korir, D.
  • Leitner, Sonja
  • Maiyo, N.
  • Mugumya, Roland
  • Mulat, Daniel
  • Ndungu, Phylis
  • Tugume, G.
  • Wanyama, Ibrahim
  • Worku, Tigist

Measuring greenhouse gas emissions and tracking adaptation to climate change in Africa’s livestock sector: Findings from the Programme for Climate-Smart Livestock Systems

  • Njuguna, Lucy
  • Arndt, Claudia
  • Crane, Todd A.
  • Leitner, Sonja
  • Graham, Michael
  • Ndungu, Phylis
  • Kagai, Jesse

Climate change adaptation and mitigation in extensive livestock systems in East Africa: Findings from the Programme for Climate-Smart Livestock Systems

  • Crane, Todd A.
  • Habermann, Birgit
  • Marty, Edwige
  • Arndt, Claudia
  • Leitner, Sonja
  • Worku, Tigist
  • Gichuki, Leah

Feed database progress report 2022

  • Karimi, Peggy
  • Notenbaert, An Maria Omer
  • Mwendia, Solomon W.
  • Onyango, Alice
  • Anangwe Osore, Francis
  • Arndt, Claudia
  • Leitner, Sonja
  • Jones, Christopher S.