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Soil Degradation and Restoration in Africa

Author: Rattan Lal

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2019-07-09

Total Pages: 330

ISBN-13: 1351593307

Soil degradation is a widespread problem in Africa resulting in decreased agricultural productivity while demand for food continues to increase. Degradation is caused by accelerated erosion, acidification, contamination, depletion of soil organic matter and plant nutrients, and salinization. The major cause of soil degradation in Africa is uncontrolled and excessive grazing in the savanna regions followed by deforestation and the use of inappropriate and extractive farming practices. Perpetual neglect of the health of soils in Africa can exacerbate the already serious problems of food and nutritional insecurity and environmental degradation. Food and nutritional security of the growing population of Africa can only be achieved if degraded soils are restored and soils of agroecosystems are managed prudently and sustainably. Ignoring soils and taking the fragile, finite and precious soil resources for granted is the principal cause of poverty, hunger, and environmental degradation. The downward spiral must be reversed through soil restoration measures based on translating science into action. This book describes the soils of Africa, processes of soil degradation, extent and severity of soil degradation, and the impacts of degradation processes on food and nutritional security. Features: Explores the extent and severity of soil degradation in Africa Analyzes the cause–effect relationship between anthropogenic activities and soil degradation Reviews processes of soil degradation in Africa including erosion, salinization, nutrient depletion, and decline of soil organic matter Addresses the effect of climate change on soil degradation in Africa. Explains how soil degradation causes food and nutritional insecurity Part of the Advances in Soil Sciences series, this volume is specifically devoted to the processes and factors that cause soil degradation and the challenges and potential for remediation and restoration of soil health in Africa.

Review of forest and landscape restoration in Africa 2021

Author: Mansourian, S., Berrahmouni, N.

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2021-08-26

Total Pages: 84

ISBN-13: 9251348006

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The purpose of this report is to assess the current implementation of forest and landscape restoration (FLR) in Africa. It presents the context for FLR on the African continent, highlights major FLR initiatives, and provides an overview of FLR in Africa at the start of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030). It identifies key challenges, opportunities, actors and processes, illustrated with some case studies. Data collection was both primary (interviews) and secondary (extensive desk research). The report contributes to tracking progress on the implementation of AFR100 and other FLR initiatives in Africa on the ground. It provides a baseline for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and is expected to be updated at regular intervals. The report is prepared under the jointly implemented regional technical cooperation programme by FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF) and the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) “Support to the implementation and monitoring of the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100)” and in close collaboration with AFR100 Management Team members and partners. It is also responding to the recommendation of the 22nd Session of FAO African Forestry and Wildlife Commission1, held in March 2020 in South Africa. The report is structured as follows: Chapter 1 introduces the importance of Africa’s forests and tree-based landscapes and to the challenges they and their people face, as well as the relevance of restoration and the global policy context. The next chapter presents an overview of FLR and restoration more generally. The third chapter provides a more detailed overview for Africa’s subregions of the current status of forests with examples of FLR initiatives (or other relevant ones that may not have the FLR label but are in fact aligned with FLR). Chapter 4 then reviews some key success factors for FLR in Africa. Chapter 5 presents opportunities going forward and remaining challenges. The last chapter is more forward-looking and speculative, highlighting potential priorities for FLR in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Economics of Land Degradation and Improvement – A Global Assessment for Sustainable Development

Author: Ephraim Nkonya

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2015-11-11

Total Pages: 686

ISBN-13: 3319191683

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This volume deals with land degradation, which is occurring in almost all terrestrial biomes and agro-ecologies, in both low and high income countries and is stretching to about 30% of the total global land area. About three billion people reside in these degraded lands. However, the impact of land degradation is especially severe on livelihoods of the poor who heavily depend on natural resources. The annual global cost of land degradation due to land use and cover change (LUCC) and lower cropland and rangeland productivity is estimated to be about 300 billion USD. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) accounts for the largest share (22%) of the total global cost of land degradation. Only about 38% of the cost of land degradation due to LUCC - which accounts for 78% of the US$300 billion loss – is borne by land users and the remaining share (62%) is borne by consumers of ecosystem services off the farm. The results in this volume indicate that reversing land degradation trends makes both economic sense, and has multiple social and environmental benefits. On average, one US dollar investment into restoration of degraded land returns five US dollars. The findings of the country case studies call for increased investments into the rehabilitation and restoration of degraded lands, including through such institutional and policy measures as strengthening community participation for sustainable land management, enhancing government effectiveness and rule of law, improving access to markets and rural services, and securing land tenure. The assessment in this volume has been conducted at a time when there is an elevated interest in private land investments and when global efforts to achieve sustainable development objectives have intensified. In this regard, the results of this volume can contribute significantly to the ongoing policy debate and efforts to design strategies for achieving sustainable development goals and related efforts to address land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Land Degradation in Tanzania

Author: Alemneh Dejene

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 1997-01-01

Total Pages: 96

ISBN-13: 9780821339930

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World Bank Technical Paper No. 370. Local land users and officials often have conflicting perceptions of and responses to land degradation issues. This causes problems for officials in diagnosing and addressing the issue and is a major constraint on the successful implementation of policies and projects to address land degradation. This study looks at the perception and response gap between officials and land users in the diagnosis and remedy of land degradation. It also examines the dynamics of the loss of soil fertility and low productivity at the village level. The study's findings will help shape investment programs to enhance land productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa.

International Yearbook of Soil Law and Policy 2019

Author: Harald Ginzky

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2021-03-24

Total Pages: 433

ISBN-13: 3030523179

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This book presents an important discussion on the implementation of sustainable soil management in Africa from a range of governance perspectives. It addresses aspects such as the general challenges in Africa with regard to soil management; the structural deficiencies in legal, organizational and institutional terms; and specific policies at the national level, including land cover policies and persistent organic pollutants. This fourth volume of the International Yearbook of Soil Law and Policy is divided into four parts, the first of which deals with several aspects of the theme “sustainable soil management in Africa.” In turn, the second part covers recent international developments, the third part presents regional and national reports (i.a. Mexico, USA and Germany), and the fourth discusses cross-cutting issues(i.a. on rural-urban interfaces). Given the range of key topics covered, the book offers an indispensible tool for all academics, legislators and policymakers working in this field. The “International Yearbook of Soil Law and Policy” is a book series that discusses central questions in law and politics with regard to the protection and sustainable management of soil and land – at the international, national and regional level.

Advances in Soil Science

Author:

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 462

ISBN-13: 1461228204

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Soil degradation is clearly one of the most pressing problems facing man kind. A continuation of soil degradation will eventually lead to a loss in crop productivity even though fertilizers and other inputs often result in increased yields in the short term. Soil degradation also leads to environ mental pollution. A decrease in soil quality invariably leads to a decrease in water quality, and often in air quality. While there is a clear consensus that soil degradation is a major problem, the literature on this subject leaves numerous baffling questions. If statis tics on land degradation are correct, there is a definite cause for concern, and present a mammoth challenge for agricultural scientists. There are those that say the scientific community has over dramatized this issue, and created a credibility problem. Consequently; Volume 11 of Advances in Soil Science was organized by Dr. Rattan Lal who is recognized as a lead ing authority on the subject. The objective of Volume 11 was to assess the types and processes of soil degradation and establish some of the major cause-effect relationships. Volume II documented the seriousness of soil degradation in many parts of the world. Therefore, it seemed immediately important to devote a volume to the principles and technologies for restor ing degraded soils to a productive status. While the land resources are limited, world population is rapidly increasing, particularly in developing countries. Dr.

Restoring land and soil health to ensure sustainable and resilient agriculture in the Near East and North Africa region

Author: Zdruli, P., Zucca, C.

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2023-02-14

Total Pages: 80

ISBN-13: 9251366772

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The report is part of a series of background papers prepared within the context of the development of the the Near East and North Africa Region of the State of Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture (SOLAW) in the Near East and North Africa Region. The paper reflects on the status of soil degradation and fertility loss, the drivers that put pressure on soils and land in the region, the responses to address the pressing issues leveraging existing technical knowledge, as well as tools for assessment and monitoring.

Degraded Forests in Eastern Africa

Author: Frans Bongers

Publisher: Earthscan

Published: 2010-09-23

Total Pages: 385

ISBN-13: 1849776407

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Forest degradation as a result of logging, shifting cultivation, agriculture and urban development is a major issue throughout the tropics. It leads to loss in soil fertility, water resources and biodiversity, as well as contributes to climate change. Efforts are therefore required to try to minimize further degradation and restore tropical forests in a sustainable way. This is the first research-based book to examine this problem in East Africa. The specific focus is on the forests of Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda, but the lessons learned are shown to be applicable to neighbouring countries and others in the tropics. A wide range of forest types are covered, from dry Miombo forest and afromontane forests, to forest-savannah mosaics and wet forest types. Current management practices are assessed and examples of good practice presented. The role of local people is also emphasized. The authors describe improved management and restoration through silviculture, plantation forestry and agroforestry, leading to improvements in timber production, biodiversity conservation and the livelihoods of local people.

Legal Instruments for Sustainable Soil Management in Africa

Author: Hadijah Yahyah

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2020-04-06

Total Pages: 219

ISBN-13: 3030360040

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This book presents an important discussion on future options for sustainable soil management in Africa from various perspectives, including national soil protection regulations, the role of tenure rights, the work of relevant international institutions such as the UNCCD and FAO, and regional and international cooperation. This first volume of the new subseries Regional Perspectives to the International Yearbook of Soil Law and Policy includes contributions by African and international experts alike. Given the range of key topics covered, the book offers an indispensable tool for all academics, legislators and policymakers working in this field. The “International Yearbook of Soil Law and Policy – Regional Perspectives” series discusses central questions in law and politics that concern the protection and sustainable management of soil and land in different regions of the world.