David Rowlings

Professor David Rowlings is a soil scientist and Program Leader for Sustainable Agrifood Systems at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), affiliated with the Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy. He holds a PhD from QUT and leads research at the intersection of environmental and agricultural science, focusing on sustainable farming systems and soil health. His work integrates advanced sensing technologies to mitigate greenhouse gases, improve fertiliser efficiency, and enhance soil carbon management across diverse agricultural sectors including beef, dairy, grains, sugar, and horticulture.

Key research interests include soil carbon and nitrogen cycling, reactive nitrogen dynamics, subtropical farming systems, and organic amendments for soil health. He leads national projects such as the Smart Farming Partnerships initiative, developing tools for compost integration into fertiliser budgets. His expertise spans international systems, including cropping and rice agriculture in tropical regions.

Rowlings collaborates with farmers, governments, and industries to address food security and environmental sustainability. His projects include soil carbon measurement, grazing management for ecosystem services, and hydrothermal sludge treatment for soil amendments. Professional memberships include the Soil Science Society of America and Soil Science Australia.

Teaching responsibilities include coordinating EVB312 - Soils in the Environment. Supervision focuses on topics like agricultural waste utilization, soil carbon persistence, and carbon-neutral practices. His research outputs span over 30 peer-reviewed articles, with a focus on nitrogen dynamics, greenhouse gas mitigation, and sustainable agricultural practices.