Sub-Saharan Africa
La forêt de tapia, écosystème endémique de Madagascar: écologie, fonctions, causes de dégradation et de transformation (synthèse bibliographique)The authors give an overview of the tapia forest, an ecosystem endemic to the highlands of Madagascar, discussing it's eoclogy, function, and causes of degradation They also review the importance of sustainably managing the forest's timber and non-timber resources for use by native populations. The article concludes arguing that the tapia forest should be protected and sustainably managed at least in part by the local community (with the understanding that some exploitation of the forest is necessary to improve the lives of local people).
Open access copy available |
Enjeux fonciers, exploitation des ressources naturelles et Forêts des Communautés Locales en périphérie de Kinshasa, RDC (Land Issues, Exploitation of Natural Resources, and Local Community Forests on the Outskirts of Kinshasa, DRC)backgroundThe authors discuss factors affecting peri-urban forests that surround Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo and identify mismanagement of forest resources by local authorities as well as the willingness of local communities to take part in forest management. Open access copy available |
Indigenous Fruit Trees of Madagascar: Potential Components of Agroforestry Systems to Improve Human Nutrition and Restore Biological DiversitybackgroundThis study focuses on three sites in the humid forest of Eastern Madagascar, namely Masoala, Andasibe and Ranomafana. Research Goals & MethodsA total of 150 wild fruit tree species from 82 genera and 42 families were identified through interviews with the local populations, from which a further 26 indigenous and exotic fruit species were shortlisted based on taste, nutritional value, income generation potential, diversification from currently planted species and biodiversity protection. Open access copy available |
Burkina Faso, Greening the SahelBackgroundWeForest works in the Sahel region of north-east Burkina Faso, collaborating with Entrepreneurs without Borders to address climate change, environmental degradation, and poverty through planting trees. Goals & ApproachAs part of the Great Green Wall initiative, this project aims to fight desertfication through reforestation. The project prepares land for restoration while also working on sowing and planting various tree species throughout. Open access copy available |
CarbonBrake: Nayakla, Burkina FasoBACKGROUNDCarbonBrake works with Nayakla, Burkina Faso on the reforestation of unproductive land. Villagers actively engage in the program, both planting and maintaining the new forests, which will serve as a source of regular income and enable them to plan and sustain the village. Open access copy available |
Kayonza Irrigation and Integrated Watershed Management Project - Phase IBackgroundIn 2016, the Eastern Province of Rwanda was dramatically hit by a drought, which brough additional burdens to already existing systematic challenges that farmers in the region faced. More thatn 45,000 individuals became food insecure in the region, forcing the government to provide food and water. To mitigate future water-related calamities, the government proposes the Kayonza Irrigation and Integrated Watershed Management Project (KIIWMP). Open access copy available |
Uganda Carbon Neutral Project 2017BackgroundPrevious programs have demonstrated that carbon payment programs can greatly benefit local livelihoods while also promoting ecosystem services. Thus, the Embassy of Ireland in Kampala began a carbon neutral program with the Ndangara-Nyakiyanja Tutuguke Group in Rubirizi Distract, Uganda to pursue these outcomes Goals & ApproachThe goal of the program is to reduce degradation and relieve pressure on existing forests. This is achieved through paying small-scale farmers to plant trees. Many of these trees provide other economic benefits, such as fruit or medicinal trees. Open access copy available |
Tea Landscapes Adaptation ProjectBackgroundIn Malawi, tea plays a critical role in livelihoods yet climate change is increasingly challenging the longterm viability of the crop, which are then compounded by deforestation and soil erosion. Open access copy available |
Assuming Women’s Representation in Carbon Forestry ProjectsBackgroundWomen have historically played a critical role around the world in forest-related decision making yet there has been a significant unequal representation of this stakeholder group when it comes to the recent explosion of carbon-trading interventions, such as payment for ecosystem services (PES) schemes, clean development mechanisms (CDM), and reduced emmissions and deforestation and forst degradation (REDD+). This unequal representation has been widely recognized and there is a fear that it is getting worse as forest governance changes. Open access copy available |
A Landscape Management Model for Conserving Biodiversity in the Comoros IslandsBackgroundThe Comoros Islands have experienced one of the worst rates of deforestation in the world, which has threatened the livelihoods of both communities and the existence of critical flora and fauna. This is particularly common on Anjuan Island due to the regions the high population density. This GEF-Satoyama Project seeks to address these trends. Open access copy available |

