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.
Women in plant science around the world
This publication presents perspectives from researchers working in agricultural and environmental sciences on the importance of place-based research environments and institutional collaborations. Drawing on experiences from Nairobi (Kenya), Toronto (Canada), and the Department of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Naples Federico II (UNINA), the discussion highlights how diverse ecological conditions, advanced research infrastructure, and strong links between science and practice shape research outcomes. Nairobi is portrayed as a strategic center for studying biodiversity, agroforestry, restoration, and rural development due to its diverse landscapes and proximity to real-world land-use challenges. Toronto offers access to world-class scientific infrastructure, interdisciplinary expertise, and advanced technologies that support cutting-edge research in plant biology and related fields. Meanwhile, UNINA provides a unique setting where longstanding agricultural traditions intersect with contemporary scientific research, enabling investigation of crop production challenges, plant health, and sustainable agricultural systems. Collectively, these perspectives demonstrate how research institutions and regional contexts can foster innovation, collaboration, and knowledge generation to address agricultural, environmental, and socio-ecological challenges.
Guideline to identifying native tree species. Cordia africana
This technical guide provides practical information for the identification, propagation, management, and utilization of Cordia africana, an important indigenous multipurpose tree species widely distributed across eastern and central Africa.
Guideline to identifying native tree species. Erythrina abyssinica
This technical guide provides practical information for the identification, propagation, management, and utilization of Erythrina abyssinica, an important indigenous multipurpose tree species widely distributed across eastern and central Africa.
Guideline to identifying native tree species. Maesopsis eminii
This technical guide provides practical information for the identification, propagation, management, and utilization of Maesopsis, an important indigenous multipurpose tree species widely distributed across eastern and central Africa.
Guideline to identifying native tree species. Syzygium guineense
This technical guide provides practical information for the identification, propagation, management, and utilization of Syzygium guineense, an important indigenous multipurpose tree species widely distributed across eastern and central Africa.
Guideline to identifying native tree species. Warburgia ugandensis
This technical guide provides practical information for the identification, propagation, management, and utilization of Warburgia ugandensis, an important indigenous multipurpose tree species widely distributed across eastern and central Africa.
Guideline to identifying native tree species. Prunus africana
This technical guide provides practical information for the identification, propagation, management, and utilization of Prunus africana, an important indigenous multipurpose tree species widely distributed across eastern and central Africa.
Guideline to identifying native tree species. Polyscias fulva
This technical guide provides practical information for the identification, propagation, management, and utilization of Polyscias fulva, an important indigenous multipurpose tree species widely distributed across eastern and central Africa.