Descriptions

Ecosystems degradation, has emerged as a primary concern for policy makers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Degradation significantly reduce the ecosystems capacity to produce food, ecosystems services and sustain rural livelihoods. Expansion onto marginal lands has already taken place in many areas, and the subsequent degradation and inherent low productivity of the marginal lands is likely to pose a threat to feeding a fast-growing population. If ecosystems degradation is not adequately addressed, it is likely to jeopardize future food security and other ecosystems services for more people. Therefore, the ‘Locally Managed Ecosystems Initiative’ as one of the International Land Coalition Platform coordinated by World Agroforestry from May 2023 to December 2024 will enhance livelihoods, food and nutritional security, and resilience to climate change, and to restore ecosystem services for local communities and Indigenous People through ecosystems sustainable restoration, conservation and use. Understanding farmers perceptions of the drivers of land degradation, and their local knowledge on both degradation and restoration processes are preliminary steps towards building an inclusive approach that promotes sustainable ecosystems restoration by the rural and local communities. Key sub-Saharan ecosystems covered under this commitment are including, but not exclusively limited to the following: Drylands, Mountains, Marine and wetlands and Rainforests.