Perspectives are different frameworks from which to explore the knowledge around sustainable sanitation and water management. Perspectives are like filters: they compile and structure the information that relate to a given focus theme, region or context. This allows you to quickly navigate to the content of your particular interest while promoting the holistic understanding of sustainable sanitation and water management.
In this paper, it is argued that generating new terra preta sites (‘terra preta nova’) could be the basis for sustainable agriculture in the twenty-first century to produce food for billions of people, and could lead to attaining three Millennium Development Goals: (i) to combat desertification, (ii) to sequester atmospheric CO2 in the long term, and (iii) to maintain biodiversity hotspots such as tropical rainforests.
GLASER, B. (2006): Prehistorically modified soils of central Amazonia- a model for sustainable agriculture in the twenty-first century. In: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences: Volume 362 , 187–196. URL [Accessed: 11.05.2010]
Article from a German newspaper on the potential of terra preta sanitation (TPS). German.
SCHEUBE, U. (2010): Der aus Scheisse Gold macht. In: Die Tageszeitung (TAZ): URL [Accessed: 11.05.2010]Language: Spanish
This site explains the nitrogen cycle in an easy-to-understand, richly illustrated and well-referenced manner.
This paper argues that the production of terra preta by burying charcoal into their soils would open new ways for farmers and laymen to earn money (from carbon sequestration funds) and improve land fertility. This would is also avoid nutrient loss from land to sea. The paper discusses how this could be done in practice at small- and large-scale and what would be the impacts.
GUENTHER, F (2007): Carbon sequestration for everybody: decrease atmospheric carbon dioxide, earn money and improve the soil. In: Energy and Environment : URL [Accessed: 10.05.2010]
Modern agriculture is dependent on phosphorus derived from phosphate rock for the fertilization of agricultural fields. Phosphorus is a non-renewable resource and current global reserves may be depleted in 50–100 years. It is widely acknowledged within the fertilizer industry that the quality of remaining phosphate rock is decreasing and production costs are increasing. Yet future access to phosphorus receives little or no international attention. This paper puts forward the case for including long-term phosphorus scarcity on the priority agenda for global food security. Opportunities for recovering phosphorus and reducing demand are also addressed together with institutional challenges.
CORDELL, D. ; DRANGERT, J.O. ; WHITE, S. (2009): The story of phosphorus: Global food security and food for thought. In: Global Environmental Change 19 : , 292-305. URL [Accessed: 10.05.2010]
In this PDF presentation, a new way to preserve nutrient form urine and faeces (as urine diversion dry toilet products): the inoculation with a bacterial mix leading to an anaerobic lacto-fermentation process.
RECKIN, J. (2010): New Insights in matters of Plant Nutrition, Soil Microbes and their role in Recycling of Human Excreta and regenerating Soil Fertility. Germany. [Accessed: 10.05.2010] PDF
This paper argues that water resources management should be a focus for climate change adaptation and that IWRM is the most suitable approach to adaptive action. It outlines the likely social, economic and environmental impacts of climate change; the challenges climate change poses for water resources management; the actions needed to address those challenges – investments in infrastructure, institutions and information; and approaches to financing IWRM for adaptation.
SADOFF, C. MULLER, M. (2009): Water Management, Water Security and Climate Change Adaptation: Early Impacts and Essential Responses. Stockholm: Global Water Partnership Technical Committee (TEC) URL [Accessed: 10.05.2010]
Article on the potential of using slow burn agriculture and burning biomass to produce charcoal for terra preta soils and the potential of biomass pyrolysis and terra preta to contribute to carbon sequestration.
LEHMANN, J. (2006): Black is the new green. In: Nature : Volume 442 , 624-626. URL [Accessed: 10.05.2010]
This resource kit aims to share information and experiences on participatory methods in the context of development cooperation. The primary focus concentrates on providing practical guidance and case examples.
RIETBERGEN-McCRACKEN, J. NARAYAN, D. WORLD BANK (1998): Participation and Social Assessment: Tools and Techniques. Washington: World Bank URL [Accessed: 10.05.2010]The Global Water Partnership's vision is for a water secure world. Its mission is to support the sustainable development and management of water resources at all levels. The website contains numerous publications on sustainable water management, and, amongst others, also the "IWRM Toolbox".
This article reflects focus group discussions from a scientific point of view. It provides advantages and disadvantages of the use of focus groups as a research tool.
GRUDENS-SCHUCK, N. ; ALLEN, B.L. ; LARSON, K. (n.y): Focus Group Fundamentals. Departments of Agricultural Education and. Iowa City: University of IOWA URL [Accessed: 10.05.2010]
Soil fertility and leaching losses of nutrients were compared between a Fimic Anthrosol (terra preta) and a Xanthic Ferralsol from Central Amazonia. The potential of charcoal additions among other organic and inorganic applications could to produce similarly fertile soils as these archaeological Anthrosols is assessed. Leaching of nutrients from soils where charcoal was added was significantly lower.
LEHMANN, J. ; PEREIRA DA SILVA, J. ; STEINER, C. ; NEHLS, T. ; ZECH, W. ; GLASER, B. (2003): Nutrient availability and leaching in an archaeological Anthrosol and a Ferralsol of the Central Amazon basin: fertilizer, manure and charcoal amendments. In: Plant and Soil : Volume 249 , 343-357. URL [Accessed: 10.05.2010]
This site contains an article on peak phosphorus, dating from 2009.
This 7-page document tells you how to prepare a budget.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA (2010): Budget preparation. Office of Sponsored Programs. [Accessed: 08.05.2010] PDF