Erik Karltun

 Researcher at the Department of soil and environment.

My research seeks answers to questions on how soil properties and processes are influenced by environmental drivers and land-use. This knowledge is needed for a sustainable forest- and agricultural production and to mitigate climate change. The research is conducted in Sweden and in sub-Saharan Africa. Presently my research addresses effects of biochar in soil, soil carbon sequestration in forest and grazing land, and recovery of acidified forest soils.  

Since 2005 I am part of the team at SLU that compiles the annual Swedish reporting on emissions and uptake of green-house gases from land-use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) which is submitted to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) by the Swedish government. My responsibility is the calculations of emissions and uptake of carbon dioxide in litter and soil carbon pools in forest- and grassland soils.

Course responsible for ”Soils of the world and sustainable water and soil management (Mv 0215)”. This course is about global soil resources, formation and classification of different soil types, and strategies for mitigation of soil degradation and promotion of sustainable agriculture.