Sonja Leitner

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 gaseous emissions and leaching, 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 achieve climate change mitigation and adaptation. I also investige options for circular, sustainable manure management that consider animal and human health and organic fertilizer quality, while also being feasible for smallholder farmers. Furthermore, I work on ecosystem carbon cycling and sequestration using novel tools such as Eddy Covariance towers. I work in mixed crop-livestock systems and rangelands and am currently involved in projects in Kenya and Uganda