Research activities carried out by CaSA - Benin in 2014

The following photos illustrate the research activities carried out by CaSA Team in Benin. These activities are focused on estimating soil carbon stocks in different agrosystems in southern part of Benin.

Agrosystems were chosen in two different agroecological Area (ZAE) which is:

• The  «  terres de barre » ZAE (Ferrallitic soils) where 3 crop fields were chosen : corn field, pineapple field and teak plantation.
• The fisheries ZAE where market garden systems settled in mineral soil of the Cotonou coast were selected. This system consists of vegetables exotic such as: lettuce, carrots, beets, cabbage, bell pepper, cucumber etc.

Work is carried out with students to enhance their ability and capacity building on the study of soil carbon stocks. It is focused on the geographical location of soil pits, identification and morphological characterization of horizons of a soil profile, application of the sampling method to the density cylinder, taking account of soil layer thicknesses identified in a soil profile and the removal of soil samples for laboratory analyzes. These photos illustrate most of the work carried out during the year.