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Keith
Shepherd |
Dr Shepherd is leading a project
on integrated assessment of soil
and plant quality using new
remote sensing techniques at
laboratory, field and landscape
levels. He is developing new
reflectance spectrometry methods
for rapid characterization of
soil, sediment and plant
materials, and is applying these
techniques to make large
assessments of soil fertility
capability and land degradation
large in eastern and southern
Africa. Impacts are expected
from application of these new
Impacts are expected of these
new these new quantitative
methods through better ability
to diagnose, monitor and manage
soil-related problems and better
targeting of agroforesty
options. |
Dr Shepherd is also developing a
systems theoretical framework
for dealing with complexity and
diversity in soil resource
management. The project aims to
develop more efficient research
and resource management
approaches that can better cater
for the diverse needs of land
users. As part of this project
he is using ecological modelling
and enviromental accounting
techniques to evaluate economic
and ecological costs and
benefits of soil
management options on a
common quantitative basis
Dr Shepherd previously worked with ICRAF on systems
analysis of soil fertility replenishment and methods for
on-farm agroforestry research. research. Before joining
ICRAF he worked with Hunting Technical Services as chief
agronomist on a rural development project in southern
Darfur in the in the Sudan. He conducted postdoctoral
research on water and nitrogen balances of rainfed crops
in the rice based cropping systems with the University
of Reading and IRRI in the Philippines. His thesis
research was on barley growth and water use at ICARDA in
Syria.He is also worked as a dryland crop agronomist for
the government of Swaziland. He has a BSc in soil
science and a PhD in agricultural botany from the
University of Reading.
Current Research Projects:
Sensing Soil Quality—integrated
assessment of soil and plant quality;
Pathways to Sustainable Soil Management in
Africa—dealing with complexity, catering for diversity.Soil
Management in Africa—dealing with complexity, catering
for diversity.
Research Interests:
Systems approaches to agricultural and environmental
problem management; integrated assessment of soil and
water degradation at multiple levels of observation;
application and water degradation at multiple levels of
observation; application of diffuse reflectance
spectrometry and remote sensing; management science.
Recent Publications:
Shepherd, K.D. and M.G. Walsh. 2002. Development of
reflectance spectral libraries for characterization of
soil properties.Soil
Science Society of
America Journal
(in press; May/June edition).
Soule, M.J., and Shepherd, K.D. 2000. A regional
economic analysis of phosphorus replenishment for Vihiga
Division,western Kenya.
Agricultural Systems
64: 83-98
Ndufa, J.K., Shepherd, K.D., Buresh, R.J., and Bashir
Jama. 1999. Nutrient uptake and growth of young trees in
a P-deficient soil: Trees species and phospherous
effects. Forest Ecology & management 122:231-241
Shepherd, K.D. and Soule, M.J. 1998. Economic and
ecological impacts of soil management on west Kenyan
farms: a dynamic simulation model.Agriculture,Ecosystems
& Environment 71:131-146
Shepherd, K.D. and Walsh, M.G. 2001.
Light reflectance
provides rapid assessment of soil quality.
Natural Resource Problems, Priorities and Policies
Programme Working Paper 2001-1. ICRAF ,Nairobi.
Shepherd, K.D. and Walsh, M.G. (2000).
Sensing soil quality:
Evidence from
Africa.
Natural Resource Problems, Priorities and Policies
Programme Working paper 2000-1. ICRAF, Nairobi.
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