Datasets for the article “Smallholder cropping systems contribute limited greenhouse gas fluxes in upper Eastern Kenya”

The datasets were collected from two smallholder farms in Upper Eastern Kenya over a year (April 2019–April 2020). The study aimed to quantify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from different smallholder cropping systems. The cropping systems investigated included i) sole maize, ii) maize-beans intercrop, iii) agroforestry, iv) banana, and v) coffee. The GHG data (carbon dioxide [CO₂], methane [CH₄], and nitrous oxide [N₂O]) were collected using static chamber methods, and gas samples were analyzed using gas chromatography. Soil samples were collected at 0 –20 cm depth and analyzed for bulk density, pH, organic carbon, and total nitrogen. Daily precipitation and soil moisture content were recorded throughout the study. Biomass measurements (grain, leaves, stems, and roots) were measured for the two cropping seasons. To determine GHG emissions, cumulative fluxes were calculated. Statistical analysis, including analysis of variance (ANOVA), was conducted to evaluate differences in GHG emissions across cropping systems. This dataset is supplementary to the research article Lemarpe, S.E., Musafiri, C.M., Kiboi, M.N., Ng'etich, O.K., Macharia, J.M., Shisanya, C.A., Kibet, E., Zeila, A., Mutuo, P. and Ngetich, F.K., (2023). Smallholder cropping systems contribute limited greenhouse gas fluxes in upper Eastern Kenya. Nature-Based Solutions, 4, p.100098. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbsj.2023.100098