Regreening Africa enhances resilience in the Sahel and Horn of Africa by addressing climate change, land degradation, and food insecurity. Through a broad partnership network, the initiative scales context-appropriate land restoration by integrating trees and sustainable practices into farming and pastoral systems. Phase II expands efforts in Somalia, Ethiopia, Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, and Niger, focusing on systems scaling for transformative change. Building on Phase I, this phase promotes agroforestry, FMNR, soil and water conservation, soil health improvement, grazing management, and energy-efficient cookstoves to boost land productivity and resilience, particularly in rangeland and mixed landscapes.
Tag: Agroforestry
Climate-growth relationships of Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. & Dalziel in the Sudanian zone of Mali, West Africa
Tree rings depend on seasonal variation in radial tree growth. Where they can be identified, their interannual variation may reflect climate variability. Compared to its use in temperate and boreal regions, tree-ring analysis has been less applied in tropical Africa, with weaker seasonality. Daniellia oliveri often forms the tallest trees in agroforestry parklands of the Sudanian savanna zone of Mali but its growth response to climate (rainfall, temperature) variability has not been documented. We analyzed six stem disks of D. oliveri and used standard dendrochronological methods to process the samples. Contrary to earlier literature likely based on more humid parts of the species distribution range, D. oliveri formed distinct growth ring boundaries in our study area. The mean annual radial growth was 2.73 ± 0.56 mm. All measured tree-ring series were successfully cross-dated with a GLK (Gleichläufigkeit) value of 76.3 ± 5.6. The final tree-ring chronology covers the period 1909-2021. After removing age-related growth trends, the tree-ring width index showed a significant relationship with records of annual rainfall (r2 = 0.46, n = 100 years, p < 0.001). The relationship between wet-season (June to September) precipitation and the residual chronology was slightly higher (r2 = 0.50, n = 100 years, p < 0.001). However, no significant correlation was found for temperature. These results imply that D. oliveri can be successfully used for dendrochronological studies with relevance for the management and restoration of the ecosystems in the Sudanian zone of West Africa, where long-term rainfall records are scarce.
Climate-growth relationships of Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. & Dalziel in the Sudanian zone of Mali, West Africa
Tree rings depend on seasonal variation in radial tree growth. Where they can be identified, their interannual variation may reflect climate variability. Compared to its use in temperate and boreal regions, tree-ring analysis has been less applied in tropical Africa, with weaker seasonality. Daniellia oliveri often forms the tallest trees in agroforestry parklands of the Sudanian savanna zone of Mali but its growth response to climate (rainfall, temperature) variability has not been documented. We analyzed six stem disks of D. oliveri and used standard dendrochronological methods to process the samples. Contrary to earlier literature likely based on more humid parts of the species distribution range, D. oliveri formed distinct growth ring boundaries in our study area. The mean annual radial growth was 2.73 ± 0.56 mm. All measured tree-ring series were successfully cross-dated with a GLK (Gleichläufigkeit) value of 76.3 ± 5.6. The final tree-ring chronology covers the period 1909-2021. After removing age-related growth trends, the tree-ring width index showed a significant relationship with records of annual rainfall (r2 = 0.46, n = 100 years, p < 0.001). The relationship between wet-season (June to September) precipitation and the residual chronology was slightly higher (r2 = 0.50, n = 100 years, p < 0.001). However, no significant correlation was found for temperature. These results imply that D. oliveri can be successfully used for dendrochronological studies with relevance for the management and restoration of the ecosystems in the Sudanian zone of West Africa, where long-term rainfall records are scarce.
Climate-growth relationships of Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. & Dalziel in the Sudanian zone of Mali, West Africa
Tree rings depend on seasonal variation in radial tree growth. Where they can be identified, their interannual variation may reflect climate variability. Compared to its use in temperate and boreal regions, tree-ring analysis has been less applied in tropical Africa, with weaker seasonality. Daniellia oliveri often forms the tallest trees in agroforestry parklands of the Sudanian savanna zone of Mali but its growth response to climate (rainfall, temperature) variability has not been documented. We analyzed six stem disks of D. oliveri and used standard dendrochronological methods to process the samples. Contrary to earlier literature likely based on more humid parts of the species distribution range, D. oliveri formed distinct growth ring boundaries in our study area. The mean annual radial growth was 2.73 ± 0.56 mm. All measured tree-ring series were successfully cross-dated with a GLK (Gleichläufigkeit) value of 76.3 ± 5.6. The final tree-ring chronology covers the period 1909-2021. After removing age-related growth trends, the tree-ring width index showed a significant relationship with records of annual rainfall (r2 = 0.46, n = 100 years, p < 0.001). The relationship between wet-season (June to September) precipitation and the residual chronology was slightly higher (r2 = 0.50, n = 100 years, p < 0.001). However, no significant correlation was found for temperature. These results imply that D. oliveri can be successfully used for dendrochronological studies with relevance for the management and restoration of the ecosystems in the Sudanian zone of West Africa, where long-term rainfall records are scarce.
Climate-growth relationships of Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. & Dalziel in the Sudanian zone of Mali, West Africa
Tree rings depend on seasonal variation in radial tree growth. Where they can be identified, their interannual variation may reflect climate variability. Compared to its use in temperate and boreal regions, tree-ring analysis has been less applied in tropical Africa, with weaker seasonality. Daniellia oliveri often forms the tallest trees in agroforestry parklands of the Sudanian savanna zone of Mali but its growth response to climate (rainfall, temperature) variability has not been documented. We analyzed six stem disks of D. oliveri and used standard dendrochronological methods to process the samples. Contrary to earlier literature likely based on more humid parts of the species distribution range, D. oliveri formed distinct growth ring boundaries in our study area. The mean annual radial growth was 2.73 ± 0.56 mm. All measured tree-ring series were successfully cross-dated with a GLK (Gleichläufigkeit) value of 76.3 ± 5.6. The final tree-ring chronology covers the period 1909-2021. After removing age-related growth trends, the tree-ring width index showed a significant relationship with records of annual rainfall (r2 = 0.46, n = 100 years, p < 0.001). The relationship between wet-season (June to September) precipitation and the residual chronology was slightly higher (r2 = 0.50, n = 100 years, p < 0.001). However, no significant correlation was found for temperature. These results imply that D. oliveri can be successfully used for dendrochronological studies with relevance for the management and restoration of the ecosystems in the Sudanian zone of West Africa, where long-term rainfall records are scarce.
Climate-growth relationships of Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. & Dalziel in the Sudanian zone of Mali, West Africa
Tree rings depend on seasonal variation in radial tree growth. Where they can be identified, their interannual variation may reflect climate variability. Compared to its use in temperate and boreal regions, tree-ring analysis has been less applied in tropical Africa, with weaker seasonality. Daniellia oliveri often forms the tallest trees in agroforestry parklands of the Sudanian savanna zone of Mali but its growth response to climate (rainfall, temperature) variability has not been documented. We analyzed six stem disks of D. oliveri and used standard dendrochronological methods to process the samples. Contrary to earlier literature likely based on more humid parts of the species distribution range, D. oliveri formed distinct growth ring boundaries in our study area. The mean annual radial growth was 2.73 ± 0.56 mm. All measured tree-ring series were successfully cross-dated with a GLK (Gleichläufigkeit) value of 76.3 ± 5.6. The final tree-ring chronology covers the period 1909-2021. After removing age-related growth trends, the tree-ring width index showed a significant relationship with records of annual rainfall (r2 = 0.46, n = 100 years, p < 0.001). The relationship between wet-season (June to September) precipitation and the residual chronology was slightly higher (r2 = 0.50, n = 100 years, p < 0.001). However, no significant correlation was found for temperature. These results imply that D. oliveri can be successfully used for dendrochronological studies with relevance for the management and restoration of the ecosystems in the Sudanian zone of West Africa, where long-term rainfall records are scarce.
Annual Work Plan 2024-2025 (April 2024 – March 2025)
The Annual Work Plan 2024–2025 for Provision of Adequate Tree Seed Portfolio in Ethiopia (PATSPO II) outlines the planned activities, implementation arrangements and performance targets for the period from April 2024 to March 2025. The work plan is aligned with the project’s overall framework for 2022–2025 and applies the Logical Framework Approach to guide implementation, monitoring and evaluation. It reviews progress since the previous planning period, assesses the relevance of project objectives and outputs, and defines priority activities aimed at strengthening Ethiopia’s tree seed sector. Key areas include the development and management of quality tree seed sources, enhancement of institutional and technical capacities, support for forest landscape restoration, risk management, stakeholder coordination, monitoring and reporting, and allocation of financial and technical resources. The document also provides implementation schedules, performance indicators, risk assessments and technical assistance plans to support effective project delivery and sustainable forestry development in Ethiopia.
PATSPO Newsletter April 2024
The PATSPO Newsletter: Issue 11 provides updates on the implementation of the Provision of Adequate Tree Seed Portfolio in Ethiopia (PATSPO II), an initiative designed to strengthen Ethiopia’s tree seed sector and support forest landscape restoration. The newsletter highlights project achievements in improving access to high-quality and genetically diverse tree seed, enhancing seed-source development and management, building institutional and technical capacities, and promoting collaboration among government agencies, research institutions and local stakeholders. It presents ongoing efforts to address challenges related to restoration, biodiversity conservation and sustainable forestry while supporting livelihoods and climate resilience. Through knowledge sharing and stakeholder engagement, the publication demonstrates the contribution of PATSPO II to establishing a more effective and sustainable tree seed system in Ethiopia.
Consultancy report on: I. Feasibility of expanding PATSPO II project area; II. Feasibility on business prospects for farmer groups engaged in tree seed collection; and III. Modality for possible collaboration between church- and monastery forest organizations and PATSPO II
The Consultancy report presents the findings of assessments conducted to support the implementation of Provision of Adequate Tree Seed Portfolio in Ethiopia Phase II (PATSPO II). The report examines the feasibility of expanding project activities to additional regions, evaluates business opportunities for farmer groups involved in tree seed collection, and explores mechanisms for collaboration between church- and monastery-forest institutions and the project. It analyzes stakeholder capacities, market prospects, institutional arrangements, and value-chain development opportunities that can improve the production and supply of quality tree seed. The report recommends strengthening community participation, supporting tree-seed enterprises, expanding restoration activities, and fostering strategic partnerships to enhance biodiversity conservation, forest landscape restoration, and sustainable livelihoods in Ethiopia.
PATSPO Newsletter September 2023
The PATSPO Newsletter: Issue 9 provides an overview of activities and achievements under the Provision of Adequate Tree Seed Portfolio in Ethiopia (PATSPO II), a project dedicated to transforming Ethiopia’s tree seed sector and supporting large-scale forest landscape restoration. The newsletter highlights ongoing efforts to improve the availability, accessibility and use of high-quality, genetically diverse tree seed; strengthen seed-source identification, management and documentation; enhance institutional and technical capacities among stakeholders; and promote collaboration among government agencies, research institutions and local communities. Through updates on project implementation, capacity-development initiatives and restoration-related activities, the publication demonstrates the role of quality tree seed systems in advancing sustainable forestry, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and rural livelihood improvement in Ethiopia.