Restoring Sahelian landscapes with people and plants: insights from large‐scale interventions

Abstract

Combining traditional knowledge on native plant species with scientific plant expertise has been established as a critical factor to improve success of restoration interventions, yet evidence on its incorporation across large scales and in Africa, is scant. Even less known are the effective socio‐economic benefits that communities have reaped from restoration activities. This article builds on Sacande and Berrahmouni's paper, further supported by both socio‐economic and biophysical data from large‐scale restoration activities in Senegal, Niger, and Nigeria in support of Africa's Great Green Wall. In total, over 90,000 village households were involved and 56,000 ha of degraded lands planted in 10 countries across the Sahel to initiate restoration in 5 years. Key findings suggest not only ecological benefits, but improvements in livelihoods and health, critical factors underpinning restoration success in the drylands. Results show the profound role native plants and other non‐timber forest products play in the lives and livelihoods of dryland communities. Between 2016 and 2020, 120 tons of seeds were collected from over 110 native plant species and planted in 10 countries, with ecological and economic benefits. Perceived food insecurity significantly decreased in 2020 compared to 2016 observations, declining sharply from 46 to 15% in project sites in Senegal, from 69 to 58% in Niger, and 90 to 25% in Nigeria. In Niger and Senegal, communities generated revenues from fodder species alone of 40 USD/ha per year. The UN decade for Ecosystem restoration 2021–2030 will be an important platform to expand such climate change adaptation and mitigation programs.

Food tree species selection for nutrition‐sensitive forest landscape restoration in Burkina Faso

“…FLR presents an opportunity to reverse the loss of useful food trees and increase their representation in the landscape , through assisted natural regeneration and planting. Positive evidence in this regard is already emerging from large‐scale restoration initiatives implemented in the Sahel, largely based on making use of native plants, considering their direct role in the diet (e.g., fruiting periods and nutritional attributes) and their potential to generated income (Sacande & Muir, 2022). A growing number of FLR projects have been set in place by different stakeholders, because of the restoration pledges of the government and financial support of various donors.…”

“…A growing number of FLR projects have been set in place by different stakeholders, because of the restoration pledges of the government and financial support of various donors. Examples are the Great Green Wall for the Sahara and the Sahel Initiative; within which the increase of woody vegetation in farmers' fields has played a key role in building community resilience to climatic and socioeconomic changes (Goffner et al, 2019; Sacande & Muir, 2022).…”

“…and their potential to generated income (Sacande & Muir, 2022). A growing number of FLR projects have been set in place by different stakeholders, because of the restoration pledges of the government and financial support of various donors.…”

“…Wall for the Sahara and the Sahel Initiative; within which the increase of woody vegetation in farmers' fields has played a key role in building community resilience to climatic and socioeconomic changes (Goffner et al, 2019;Sacande & Muir, 2022).…”

Restoring Food Systems with Nutritious Native Plants: Experiences from the African Drylands

“…Community preferences for species were largely influenced by their market value as well as other factors ranging from medicine, food, to livestock feed and health needs. 31 This approach was subsequently matched with plant science to identify species that were ecologically suited. For example, diversification of cropping systems and introduction of drought and saline tolerant crop species and varieties, characteristic of many CWRs, are essential to improve productivity in drylands.…”