Leah Mungai

Leah Mungai

she/her

Researching human–environment dynamics in small farming systems. Using geospatial tech and AI to advance sustainable, resilient agri-food systems.

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publications

Ratooning and perennial staple crops in Malawi. A review

Published in Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 2016

This review highlights the underrecognized practice of managing staple crops as perennials in Malawi, particularly through ratooning methods applied to pigeonpea and sorghum. Drawing from literature and farmer interviews, the study reveals both the agronomic potential and practical challenges of ratooning, underscoring a need for greater research investment in perennial crop systems.

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Smallholder Farms and the Potential for Sustainable Intensification

Published in Frontiers in Plant Science, 2016

This study examines smallholder farming practices in Central Malawi, revealing that despite policy efforts to promote sustainable intensification, farmers largely prioritize maize over legumes in resource allocation and soil management. Findings highlight low soil fertility, underutilization of legume residues, and the need for targeted education and extension services to support holistic, resource-efficient farming systems.

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Nature-based agricultural solutions: Scaling perennial grains across Africa

Published in Environmental Research, 2017

This study identifies marginal agricultural lands in Africa where short-duration maize varieties underperform and evaluates the potential of perennial grains as a sustainable alternative. Using satellite-derived climate data, it demonstrates that perennial pigeonpea and sorghum could enhance resilience and productivity for smallholder farmers in suboptimal environments.

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Spatial Pattern of Agricultural Productivity Trends in Malawi

Published in Sustainability, 2020

This study analyzes spatial trends in Malawian agricultural productivity from 2006 to 2017 using MODIS-NDVI data and household survey data to isolate the effects of weather, soil, and farmer management practices. Findings reveal that many areas of agricultural intensification are not fully explained by biophysical factors, and overall maize yields have declined, particularly in southern Malawi.

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Modeling Spatiotemporal Patterns of Land Use/Land Cover Change in Central Malawi Using a Neural Network Model

Published in Remote Sensing, 2022

This study analyzes land use and land cover change in Dedza and Ntcheu districts of Central Malawi using satellite imagery and a neural network model to identify key drivers such as elevation, population density, and proximity to infrastructure. Results show agriculture will increasingly dominate the landscape by 2050, highlighting the need for locally informed, multi-dimensional land management and conservation policies.

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The role of agricultural extension services in promoting agricultural sustainability: a Central Malawi case study

Published in Cogent Food & Agriculture, 2024

This study explores the perspectives of agricultural extension staff in central Malawi, highlighting the diverse actors involved in service delivery—including government, NGOs, and farmer groups—and the tools they use, from printed manuals to mobile apps like WhatsApp. Key findings point to the need for stronger public-private collaboration, expanded advisory topics (such as climate change adaptation), and the integration of digital communication tools to improve farmer outreach and support.

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Identifying opportunities for nature-based solutions with geospatialized life cycle assessments and fine-scale socioecological data

Published in Environmental Research Letters, 2024

This study integrates life cycle assessment, ecological modeling, and land use data to evaluate the global warming potential (GWP) of cropland management at a fine spatial scale. Findings show that management intensity—particularly fertilizer and fuel production—drives emissions more than land extent, emphasizing the need to consider upstream processes in nature-based solutions (NbS) for climate mitigation.

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Spatial-temporal modeling of land-use dynamics at the agricultural-forest interface: insights from Ntchisi District, Malawi

Published in Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment, 2025

This study analyzes land-use and forest degradation in Ntchisi District, Malawi, using satellite imagery and machine learning models, revealing major shifts from tree cover, shrubland, and wetlands to cropland between 2015 and 2022. Projections for 2030 indicate continued tree cover loss—even in reserves—driven by population density, proximity to villages, roads, and terrain, offering key insights for targeted restoration strategies.

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Mapping Tradeoffs and Synergies in Ecosystem Services as a Function of Forest Management

Published in MDPI Land, 2025

This study analyzed how carbon storage and water yield ecosystem service hotspots align with forest management types in the Southeastern United States and Pacific Northwest using InVEST and GIS modeling. Results show limited overlap between services and reveal regional differences in which management strategies most effectively support multiple ecosystem benefits, informing large-scale forest planning and conservation.

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research_activities

Mapping small-medium farms in the Alabama Black Belt Region

Published:

This project was funded in 2024 by The College Academy of Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (CARSCA) of The University of Alabama with collaborations with Dr. Nicholas Magliocca. The aim is to develop spatial and cognitive archetypes of small-scale, underserved farms in the Black Belt region of Alabama to serve as an entry point to unravelling farm variability in resources and management to contribute to targeting of site-specific resources that can optimize productivity [Manuscript in preparation].

Food Sovereignty, Water-Land Resource Conflicts

Published:

This collaborative research with multiple researchers that explore the extent to which dimba farming (also known as wetland farming) has implications on water security and food sovereignty in Central Malawi.

teaching