Biophysical research methods

Dr Cheryl Palm (TSBF) presented a summary of the background paper written for the workshop relating biophysical guidelines to the slash-and-burn project objectives. She also discussed the biophysical measurements for the site characterization process. These measurements serve several purposes and address ecological zone characterization, setting the research agenda and research monitoring for a variety of topics (soil fertility, nutrient cycling, carbon exchange).

Phase 1 of the process focuses on characterizing the agroecological zone and the major land uses in the benchmark area (figure 5).

Figure 5. Phase 1 of the characterization process

This part of the characterization process may be summarized as follows:

• use of general secondary data

• identification of missing information

• completion of characterization

• prioritization of land-use practices for research

Phase 2 of the characterization process focuses on evaluating the constraints and solutions of the land-use systems for research planning (figure 6). Three classes of information (soils, climate, vegetation) are needed for site characterization. Not all information is necessary for all sites. Detailed data are necessary to define more accurately the system constraints. Figure 6 gives an example of the data necessary to determine the exact type of soil fertility constraint from a series of land uses.

Figure 6. Phase 2 of the characterization process