Albizia as a solution for climate change mitigation and sustainable agriculture
This project will investigate the potential benefits of composted albizia (Falcataria moluccana) mulch applied to agricultural land in East Hawai‘i Island. The biomass from this fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing tree contains a large amount of carbon and nitrogen. A management approach that takes unwanted biomass from albizia trees and applies it to cropland could yield a net environmental and/or economic benefit compared with status quo farming practices, while stimulating albizia removal efforts. If this approach is found to be economically viable, climate change mitigation and/or resilience could be a byproduct of agricultural activities.
Project Collaborators
Primary Contact and Masters Graduate Student
- Joanna Norton (joannanorton777@gmail.com)
Faculty Advisor
- Rebecca Ostertag, Associate Professor of Biology, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Committee Members
- Bruce Mathews , Professor of Soil Science, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
- Flint Hughes, Ecosystem Ecologist, Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, US Forest Service
Partner
- Springer Kaye, Big Island Invasive Species Committee
PROJECT DETAILS
FUNDED:
FY2016
PI:
Rebecca Ostertag
Professor of Biology, UH Hilo
Graduate Scholar:
Joanna Norton
Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science
UH Hilo
Co-PI:
Bruce Mathews
Professor of Soil Science
UH Hilo
Flint Hughes
Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry
US Forest Service
Springer Kaye
Big Island Invasive Species Committee