Accurate estimating aboveground biomass (AGB) is essential for quantifying carbon stocks and assessing the climate-mitigation potential of agroforestry systems. However, many existing biomass models in Uganda and other eastern African countries were developed for natural forests, rely on limited sample sizes, or employ generalized equations that may not adequately represent trees grown under smallholder agroforestry setting This study developed species-specific allometric equations to estimate AGB for seven agroforestry tree species in northern Uganda: Acacia polyacantha, Albizia lebbeck, Gmelina arborea, Maesopsis eminii, Markhamia lutea, Melia volkensii, and Senna siamea. Destructive sampling was conducted on 36–44 trees per species across a range of diameter classes and management regimes in Gulu, Amuru, Nwoya, and Oyam districts. Diameter at breast height (D), tree height (H), and crown radius (CR) were fitted as predictors of AGB using nonlinear maximum-likelihood regression models. Model performance was assessed using coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (SE), prediction error (PE%), Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), and repeated k-fold cross-validation. The selected models explained most of the variation in AGB (R2 = 0.90–0.99) and PE% below 3.5%. Model structure varied among species: for M. eminii and S. siamea, D alone adequately explained AGB variation, whereas other species required combinations of D with H or CR. Comparison with previously developed models revealed that generalised or pantropical equations produced biased estimates. Therefore, the developed species-specific equations provide reliable tools for estimating AGB and carbon stocks in smallholder agroforestry systems and woodlots in northern Uganda, supporting carbon accounting and restoration monitoring.
Tag: Agroforestry
Climate-smart agriculture and household food security: the case of smallholder farmers in semi-arid Tanzania
Smallholder farmers in the semi-arid districts of Kongwa and Chamwino, Tanzania, are increasingly vulnerable to food insecurity due to the escalating impacts of climate change. This study examined the association between climate-smart agriculture (CSA) adoption and food security using survey data from 380 households. The findings indicate that manure application, drought-tolerant seeds, and tree intercropping are the most widely adopted CSA practices, although the adoption rate declines as adoption intensity increases: approximately 25% of households adopt only one practice, while fewer than 5% implement six. CSA adoption was associated with higher dietary diversity (HDDS), improved food consumption scores (FCS), and lower household food insecurity access scores (HFIAS) and reduced coping strategies index (rCSI). CSA adoption was also associated with higher farm income, with greater adoption intensity amplifying both food security and income benefits. Household characteristics, including education, gender, off-farm income, asset ownership, and access to extension services, were linked to variations in adoption and outcomes. These findings highlight the potential of integrated CSA strategies to support food security and livelihoods. Policies promoting CSA intensification, addressing socio-economic barriers, strengthening extension services, and targeting gender disparities can enhance the effectiveness and inclusivity of CSA adoption in semi-arid Tanzania.
Guidelines for Extension Agents on Establishing and Improving Agroforestry Systems and Management in Sri Lanka: Version 1
This technical manual developed to strengthen the capacity of extension agents, farmers, and land managers in designing, establishing, and improving climate-resilient agroforestry systems across Sri Lanka’s diverse agroecological zones. Produced by World Agroforestry (ICRAF) under the Green Climate Fund-supported Knuckles Project, the publication presents agroforestry as a key climate-smart agriculture strategy capable of simultaneously improving productivity, strengthening adaptation to climate change, and contributing to climate change mitigation. The manual provides practical guidance on agroforestry principles, species selection, farm design, homegarden management, smallholder and plantation agroforestry systems, and strategies to enhance adoption. It highlights how agroforestry can diversify income sources, improve food security, conserve biodiversity, regulate water resources, increase soil fertility, reduce erosion, and sequester carbon, while also addressing climate-related challenges such as droughts, floods, extreme temperatures, and changing rainfall patterns. Drawing on scientific evidence, local knowledge, stakeholder consultations, and examples from Sri Lanka, the manual outlines criteria, indicators, and step-by-step approaches for establishing and improving agroforestry systems tailored to local environmental and socio-economic conditions. It also emphasizes participatory planning, gender-responsive management, extension services, and monitoring frameworks to support long-term adoption and sustainability. Overall, the publication serves as a practical resource to promote resilient land-use systems that strengthen livelihoods while enhancing ecosystem health and climate resilience throughout Sri Lanka.
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.
Sustainable woodfuel management in East and Southern Africa
This chapter provides a comprehensive compendium of woodfuel (comprising charcoal and fuelwood/ firewood) in East and Southern Africa, describing trends, options and practices for sustainable management and incentive mechanisms. It shares examples of ‘what works’, including practices of improved communitybased forest management, woodlots, agroforestry and assisted natural regeneration methods with potential for sustainable wood production for energy. It looks at key components for success such as community involvement, secure land and forest tenure, transfer of capacity and ownership, and engagement of various stakeholders. It also reviews how incentive mechanisms for replication and upscaling can come from climate financing, private sector restoration obligations, and well-integrated national government policies that consider the inextricable links between rural development and household energy portfolios. Throughout the region, a change in thinking is needed to place woodfuel higher on the reforestation, climate change, energy and sustainable development agendas to enhance the potential of sustainable woodfuel practices and incentive mechanisms.
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.
Scaling & Enhancing Restoration Impact Through Gender Transformative Approaches
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.
Scaling & Enhancing Restoration Impact Through Gender Transformative Approaches
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.
Scaling & Enhancing Restoration Impact Through Gender Transformative Approaches
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.
Scaling & Enhancing Restoration Impact Through Gender Transformative Approaches
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.