Contributions of agroforestry to ecosystem services in the miombo eco-region of eastern and southern Africa

Background

The article discusses the functional benefits of agroforestry to the miombo region of eastern and southern Africa, which includes the following countries: Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, and Mozambique.

Goals & Methods

The research reviews the challenges of access to informaton around agroforestry and what this information could mean to the improvement of the landscapes within the miombo region and its respective countries, directly. The author asks the question: How can agroforestry contribute to ecosystem services?  The author answers this question through a variety of topics: provisioning services; food and medicinal products; energy; fodder; regulating services, microclimate modications (windbreaks); erosion control and soil conservation; mitigating desertification; carbon sequestration; control of crop pests; supporting services; biomass production and soil fertility improvement; biodiversity conservation; pollination; and cultural services. Lastly, the author highlights the challenges to adoptation.

Conclusions & Takeaways

The conclusion was that there are many benefits to agroforestry in the miombo region, and within its respective countries.  The recommendation is that, individually, readers have to go beyond the available information in order to effectively understand the benefits of agroforestry such that agroforestry can become an integrated part of the restoration process in the miombo region, moreover, challenge the available information and come up with your own treatment plans that will differ from site to site.