All Outputs (54)

Ten challenges for the future of pedometrics (2021)
Journal Article
Wadoux, A. M., Heuvelink, G. B., Lark, R. M., Lagacherie, P., Bouma, J., Mulder, V. L., …McBratney, A. B. (2021). Ten challenges for the future of pedometrics. Geoderma, 401, Article 115155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2021.115155

Pedometrics, the application of mathematical and statistical methods to the study of the distribution and genesis of soils, has broadened its scope over the past two decades. The primary focus of pedometricians has traditionally been on spatial and s... Read More about Ten challenges for the future of pedometrics.

A comparison between three legacy soil maps of Zambia at national scale: The spatial patterns of legend units and their relation to soil properties (2021)
Journal Article
Mukumbuta, I., Chabala, L. M., Sichinga, S., Miti, C., & Lark, R. M. (2021). A comparison between three legacy soil maps of Zambia at national scale: The spatial patterns of legend units and their relation to soil properties. Geoderma, 402, Article 115193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2021.115193

We examined three soil maps of Zambia, two published at scales of 1:1 million – the Exploratory Soil Map of Zambia (ESMZ) and the Vegetation–Soil Map produced by Trapnell and colleagues in 1947 – and one at 1:3 million, the Soil Atlas of Africa (SAA)... Read More about A comparison between three legacy soil maps of Zambia at national scale: The spatial patterns of legend units and their relation to soil properties.

The nutritional quality of cereals varies geospatially in Ethiopia and Malawi (2021)
Journal Article
Gashu, D., Nalivata, P. C., Amede, T., Ander, E. L., Bailey, E. H., Botoman, L., …Broadley, M. R. (2021). The nutritional quality of cereals varies geospatially in Ethiopia and Malawi. Nature, 594, 71-76. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-03559-3

Micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) remain widespread among people in sub-Saharan Africa where access to sufficient food from plant and animal sources that is rich in micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) is limited due to socioeconomic and geographic... Read More about The nutritional quality of cereals varies geospatially in Ethiopia and Malawi.

Communicating uncertainties in spatial predictions of grain micronutrient concentration (2021)
Journal Article
Chagumaira, C., Chimungu, J. G., Gashu, D., Nalivata, P. C., Broadley, M. R., Milne, A. E., & Lark, R. M. (2021). Communicating uncertainties in spatial predictions of grain micronutrient concentration. Geoscience Communication, 4(2), 245-265. https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-4-245-2021

The concentration of micronutrients in staple crops varies spatially. Quantitative information about this can help in designing efficient interventions to address micronutrient deficiency. Concentration of a micronutrient in a staple crop can be mapp... Read More about Communicating uncertainties in spatial predictions of grain micronutrient concentration.

Performance of linear mixed models and random forests for spatial prediction of soil pH (2021)
Journal Article
Makungwe, M., Chabala, L. M., Chishala, B. H., & Lark, R. M. (2021). Performance of linear mixed models and random forests for spatial prediction of soil pH. Geoderma, 397, Article 115079. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2021.115079

Digital soil maps describe the spatial variation of soil and provide important information on spatial variation of soil properties which provides policy makers with a synoptic view of the state of the soil. This paper presents a study to tackle the t... Read More about Performance of linear mixed models and random forests for spatial prediction of soil pH.

Long‐term zero‐tillage enhances the protection of soil carbon in tropical agriculture (2021)
Journal Article
Cooper, H. V., Sjögersten, S., Lark, R. M., Girkin, N. T., Vane, C. H., Calonego, J. C., …Mooney, S. J. (2021). Long‐term zero‐tillage enhances the protection of soil carbon in tropical agriculture. European Journal of Soil Science, 72(6), 2477-2492. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejss.13111

Contrasting tillage strategies not only affect the stability and formation of soil aggregates but also modify the concentration and thermostability of soil organic matter associated with soil aggregates. Understanding the thermostability and carbon r... Read More about Long‐term zero‐tillage enhances the protection of soil carbon in tropical agriculture.

Zinc deficiency is highly prevalent and spatially dependent over short distances in Ethiopia (2021)
Journal Article
Belay, A., Gashu, D., Joy, E. J., Lark, R. M., Chagumaira, C., Likoswe, B. H., …Broadley, M. R. (2021). Zinc deficiency is highly prevalent and spatially dependent over short distances in Ethiopia. Scientific Reports, 11(1), Article 6510. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-85977-x

Zinc (Zn) is an essential nutrient for human health. In Ethiopia, a high prevalence of Zn deficiency has been reported. To explore demographic variation and spatial dependencies in the Zn status of the Ethiopian population, we analyzed archived serum... Read More about Zinc deficiency is highly prevalent and spatially dependent over short distances in Ethiopia.

Crop uptake of heavy metals in response to the environment and agronomic practices on land near mine tailings in the Zambian Copperbelt Province (2021)
Journal Article
Kaninga, B., Lark, R. M., Chishala, B. H., Maseka, K. K., Sakala, G. M., Young, S. D., …Watts, M. J. (2021). Crop uptake of heavy metals in response to the environment and agronomic practices on land near mine tailings in the Zambian Copperbelt Province. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 43(9), 3699-3713. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-021-00849-7

© 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. part of Springer Nature. A field experiment was undertaken on farmers’ fields adjacent to a large mine tailings dam in the Zambian mining town of Kitwe. Experimental plots were lo... Read More about Crop uptake of heavy metals in response to the environment and agronomic practices on land near mine tailings in the Zambian Copperbelt Province.

Spatial variability and mapping of soil fertility status in a high-potential smallholder farming area under sub-humid conditions in Zimbabwe (2021)
Journal Article
Soropa, G., Mbisva, O. M., Nyamangara, J., Nyakatawa, E. Z., Nyapwere, N., & Lark, R. M. (2021). Spatial variability and mapping of soil fertility status in a high-potential smallholder farming area under sub-humid conditions in Zimbabwe. SN Applied Sciences, 3, Article 396. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-021-04367-0

© 2021, The Author(s). A study was conducted to examine spatial variability of soil properties related to fertility in maize fields across varying soil types in ward 10 of Hurungwe district, Zimbabwe; a smallholder farming area with sub-humid conditi... Read More about Spatial variability and mapping of soil fertility status in a high-potential smallholder farming area under sub-humid conditions in Zimbabwe.

To till or not to till in a temperate ecosystem? Implications for climate change mitigation (2021)
Journal Article
Cooper, H. V., Sjögersten, S., Lark, R. M., & Mooney, S. J. (2021). To till or not to till in a temperate ecosystem? Implications for climate change mitigation. Environmental Research Letters, 16(5), Article 054022. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/abe74e

The management of agricultural soils affect the composition and scale of their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. There is conflicting evidence on the effect of zero-tillage on carbon storage and GHG emissions. Here we assess the effects of zero-tillage... Read More about To till or not to till in a temperate ecosystem? Implications for climate change mitigation.

Mapping groundwater recharge in Africa from ground observations and implications for water security (2021)
Journal Article
MacDonald, A. M., Lark, R. M., Taylor, R. G., Abiye, T., Fallas, H. C., Favreau, G., …West, C. (2021). Mapping groundwater recharge in Africa from ground observations and implications for water security. Environmental Research Letters, 16(3), Article 034012. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/abd661

© 2021 British Geological SurveyUKRI. Published by IOP Publishing Ltd. Groundwater forms the basis of water supplies across much of Africa and its development is rising as demand for secure water increases. Recharge rates are a key component for asse... Read More about Mapping groundwater recharge in Africa from ground observations and implications for water security.

Biofortification of wheat with zinc for eliminating deficiency in Pakistan: study protocol for a cluster-randomised, double-blind, controlled effectiveness study (BIZIFED2) (2020)
Journal Article
Khan, M. J., Mahboob, U., Joy, E. J., Broadley, M. R., Ander, E. L., Fatima, S., …Young, S. D. (2020). Biofortification of wheat with zinc for eliminating deficiency in Pakistan: study protocol for a cluster-randomised, double-blind, controlled effectiveness study (BIZIFED2). BMJ Open, 10(11), Article e039231. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-039231

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ. INTRODUCTION: Micronutrient deficiencies, commonly referred to as 'hidden hunger', affect more than two bill... Read More about Biofortification of wheat with zinc for eliminating deficiency in Pakistan: study protocol for a cluster-randomised, double-blind, controlled effectiveness study (BIZIFED2).

Do soil amendments used to improve agricultural productivity have consequences for soils contaminated with heavy metals? (2020)
Journal Article
Kaninga, B., Chishala, B. H., Maseka, K. K., Sakala, G. M., Young, S. D., Lark, R. M., …Watts, M. J. (2020). Do soil amendments used to improve agricultural productivity have consequences for soils contaminated with heavy metals?. Heliyon, 6(11), Article E05502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05502

This study presents an analysis of the effects of manure and lime commonly used to improve agricultural productivity and evaluates the potential for such soil amendments to mobilise/immobilise metal fractions in soils contaminated from nearby mine ta... Read More about Do soil amendments used to improve agricultural productivity have consequences for soils contaminated with heavy metals?.

Increasing zinc concentration in maize grown under contrasting soil types in Malawi through agronomic biofortification: Trial protocol for a field experiment to detect small effect sizes (2020)
Journal Article
Botoman, L., Nalivata, P. C., Chimungu, J. G., Munthali, M. W., Bailey, E. H., Ander, E. L., …Broadley, M. R. (2020). Increasing zinc concentration in maize grown under contrasting soil types in Malawi through agronomic biofortification: Trial protocol for a field experiment to detect small effect sizes. Plant Direct, 4(10), Article e00277. https://doi.org/10.1002/pld3.277

The prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies including zinc (Zn) is widespread in Malawi, especially among poor and marginalized rural populations. This is due to low concentrations of Zn in most staple cereal crops and limited consumption of animal... Read More about Increasing zinc concentration in maize grown under contrasting soil types in Malawi through agronomic biofortification: Trial protocol for a field experiment to detect small effect sizes.

Site-Specific Factors Influence the Field Performance of a Zn-Biofortified Wheat Variety (2020)
Journal Article
Broadley, M. R., Ahmed, I., Zia, M. H., Zaman, M., Wilson, L., Joy, E. J., …Bailey, E. H. (2020). Site-Specific Factors Influence the Field Performance of a Zn-Biofortified Wheat Variety. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 4, Article 135. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2020.00135

© Copyright © 2020 Zia, Ahmed, Bailey, Lark, Young, Lowe, Joy, Wilson, Zaman and Broadley. Background: Biofortification of wheat with zinc (Zn) through breeding and agronomy can reduce Zn deficiencies and improve human health. “High-Zn” wheat varieti... Read More about Site-Specific Factors Influence the Field Performance of a Zn-Biofortified Wheat Variety.

Spatial analysis of urine zinc (Zn) concentration for women of reproductive age and school age children in Malawi (2020)
Journal Article
Phiri, F. P., Ander, E. L., Lark, R. M., Joy, E. J., Kalimbira, A. A., Suchdev, P. S., …Broadley, M. R. (2020). Spatial analysis of urine zinc (Zn) concentration for women of reproductive age and school age children in Malawi. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 43(1), 259-271. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-020-00700-5

© 2020, The Author(s). Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient, and Zn deficiency remains a major global public health challenge. Recognised biomarkers of population Zn status include blood plasma or serum Zn concentration and proxy data such as diet... Read More about Spatial analysis of urine zinc (Zn) concentration for women of reproductive age and school age children in Malawi.

An analysis of hand pump boreholes functionality in Malawi (2020)
Journal Article
Mkandawire, T., Mwathunga, E., MacDonald, A. M., Bonsor, H. C., Banda, S., Mleta, P., …Lark, R. M. (2020). An analysis of hand pump boreholes functionality in Malawi. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 118-119, Article 102897. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2020.102897

© 2020 Elsevier Ltd A survey on the functionality of boreholes equipped with hand pumps was undertaken in five districts in Malawi in 2016. The survey aimed at developing a robust evidence-base of the performance of hand pump boreholes by applying a... Read More about An analysis of hand pump boreholes functionality in Malawi.

Longitudinal analysis of a long-Term conservation agriculture experiment in Malawi and lessons for future experimental design (2020)
Journal Article
Lark, R. M., Ligowe, I. S., Thierfelder, C., Magwero, N., Namaona, W., Njira, K., …Nalivata, P. C. (2020). Longitudinal analysis of a long-Term conservation agriculture experiment in Malawi and lessons for future experimental design. Experimental Agriculture, 56(4), 506-527. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0014479720000125

Resilient cropping systems are required to achieve food security in the presence of climate change, and so several long-Term conservation agriculture (CA) trials have been established in southern Africa-one of them at the Chitedze Agriculture Researc... Read More about Longitudinal analysis of a long-Term conservation agriculture experiment in Malawi and lessons for future experimental design.

Eliciting experts’ tacit models for the interpretation of soil information, an example from the evaluation of potential benefits from conservation agriculture (2020)
Journal Article
Chabala, L. M., Chimungu, J. G., Lark, R. M., Mtambanengwe, F., Nalivata, P. C., Phiri, E., & Sakala, G. M. (2020). Eliciting experts’ tacit models for the interpretation of soil information, an example from the evaluation of potential benefits from conservation agriculture. Geoderma, 376, Article 114545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2020.114545

© 2020 The Authors We examined a procedure to elicit the tacit models underlying expert opinions on environmental factors that affect the absolute yield benefits expected from the adoption of conservation agriculture (CA) practices in southern Africa... Read More about Eliciting experts’ tacit models for the interpretation of soil information, an example from the evaluation of potential benefits from conservation agriculture.

Spatial geochemistry influences the home range of elephants (2020)
Journal Article
Sach, F., Yon, L., Henley, M. D., Bedetti, A., Buss, P., de Boer, W. F., …Watts, M. J. (2020). Spatial geochemistry influences the home range of elephants. Science of the Total Environment, 729, Article 139066. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139066

© 2020 Elsevier B.V. The unique geochemistry surrounding the Palabora Mining Company (PMC) land may act as a micronutrient hotspot, attracting elephants to the area. The PMC produces refined copper and extracts phosphates and other minerals. Understa... Read More about Spatial geochemistry influences the home range of elephants.