Research interests

My research focuses on the quantification of carbon stocks in soils with conversion of old-growth forest to grassland in Southern Leyte, Philippines. Southern Leyte is home to the Philippines’ few remaining patches of forest cover with large soil organic carbon (SOC) storage. I am interested in looking at the responsible mechanisms of SOC stabilization as this may provide important key to regulation of SOC levels and soil productivity. The fertility management of most soils in the Philippines is by low-input agricultural systems, which depend largely on soil organic matter cycling. Thus, maintaining SOC level is essential not only for the environmental perspective but also for agriculture. My present study aims to provide better understanding on the environmental and agriculture implications of converting old-growth forest to grassland. This work is funded by Erasmus Mundus Action II, Lot 11, EXPERTS (Exchange by Promoting Quality Education, Research and Training in South and South-East Asia).