Enhancing Alternative Livelihoods for Dryland Communities
The Red Pod Terminalia (Terminalia brownii) plays a crucial role in improving alternative livelihoods for dryland communities by providing essential resources and environmental benefits. This tree is a vital source of firewood and charcoal in regions with limited energy options. Additionally, it produces non-timber forest products, including medicinal compounds and honey, which can be sold for income. Its leaves and pods serve as valuable animal fodder, especially during dry seasons, and the tree offers shade, shelter, and erosion control, thereby enhancing land productivity. By integrating T. brownii into agroforestry systems, farmers can diversify their crops and reduce risks. The tree's carbon sequestration potential also opens opportunities for participation in carbon trading schemes, providing another income stream.
Involvement in T. brownii propagation and conservation fosters partnerships with research institutions and NGOs, offering training and capacity-building for community members. This knowledge not only supports sustainable practices but also boosts overall community resilience by equipping individuals with skills applicable to various aspects of life.
Key enabling factors include the strong market demand for firewood and honey, which provides economic incentives for communities. Partnerships with research institutions and NGOs facilitate training and capacity-building, while the tree’s ability to thrive in harsh conditions ensures its viability as a long-term livelihood resource.
We learned that promoting T. brownii as a source of alternative livelihoods requires understanding market demands and community needs. Proper training in seed extraction and tree management is crucial for maximizing the tree's benefits. Ensuring community involvement from the outset helps to foster ownership and long-term commitment to conservation efforts. Additionally, the integration of T. brownii into agroforestry systems has proven effective in diversifying income sources and enhancing food security. Finally, participation in carbon trading schemes has shown potential, but it requires careful planning and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to be successful.
Indigenous Trees for Climate Resilience in Drylands
Terminalia brownii (1) mature and dry fruits, (2) extracted seeds ready for germination
Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)
This building block focuses on identifying and utilizing climate-resilient tree species, particularly the Red Pod Terminalia (T. brownii), in dryland restoration efforts. Extensive research has shown T. brownii’s exceptional survival rate and growth potential in arid regions. A screening trial in Baringo, Kenya, demonstrated a 97% survival rate for T. brownii within two years, outperforming other indigenous and Australian Acacia species. These promising results highlight T. brownii's suitability for dryland restoration, making it a prime candidate for combating deforestation and climate change in Kenya's drylands. Our goal is to scale up the use of T. brownii and other drought-resistant species to enhance reforestation efforts. The research also explored effective seedling production and improved germination techniques to ensure the successful establishment of these trees in harsh environments.
Key enabling factors include selecting T. brownii as a resilient species based on extensive research trials. Collaboration with researchers and communities ensured the identification of viable provenances and effective seed handling techniques tailored to the Kendu Bay, Baringo, and Kitui regions. We conducted germination trials to optimize seed treatment methods, such as nipping, dewinging, and extraction, which significantly enhanced the species' germination rates.
We learned that rapid germination of T. brownii seeds occurs within 10 days, allowing for multiple nursery rotations per year. Ensuring that fruits are fully mature and properly dried simplifies seed extraction and improves germination success. Synchronizing planting programs with seasonal cycles is crucial for maximizing survival and growth. There is also a need to train communities and stakeholders to promote T. brownii as an alternative species for agroforestry, afforestation, and reforestation programs in drylands, leading to more impactful and sustainable outcomes.
Indigenous Trees for Climate Resilience in Drylands
Enhancing Alternative Livelihoods for Dryland Communities
Advancing Red Pod Terminalia Propagation Techniques
Monitoring and research
Monitoring and research
Adigla Appolinaire Wedjangnon
Monitoring and evaluation allows us to effectively keep track of how the plants are doing by regulaurly studying the microsite conditions. The purpose is to gather information that helps us understand what works and what needs improvement. Continuous rese
Resource availability: Access to tools, trained personnel, and financial support for effective monitoring is crucial to gather reliable data. A regular data collection and analysis allow us to better appreciate species performances and factors that impact seedlings establishment.
Monitoring and research are important for data sharing. Based on soil properties predominantly related to the African Black Walnut development, our findings shed light on how soil parameters contribute to species distribution at the fine scale. Thus, we found new information concerning the habitat requirements which are quite interesting and valuable for the ex-situ management and conservation of Mansonia altissima.
Partnerships: indigenous people and local communities engagement
Some indigenous people engaged in the solution implementation
Adigla Appolinaire Wedjangnon
Collaboration with indigenous people and local communities (IP&LC) and organizations is essential. Through community engagement we are able to mobilise IP&LC in helping to protect the forests and restoration sites and support our efforts. By working together, everyone can contribute to the conservation goals and increase success.
Mutual trust and communication are essential to build strong relationships with IP&LC and organizations for successful restoration actions. IP&LC can include farmers and wildlife wardensm organizations can include forest offices. To build and maintain strong relationships, we have learned that impactful engagement with IP&LC requires developing shared objectives to keep everyone focused and motivated toward common conservation goals.
We faced challenges when trying to engage IP&LC without first understanding their needs and perspectives. Take time to listen and involve them in the process from the beginning to foster better cooperation. Engage with IP&LC through consultations and identification of species that are important for them and can help improveing success.
Identify and prepare suitable planting microsites, especially protected sites with suitable conditions that can support the species growth
Soil sampling
Adigla Appolinaire Wedjangnon
Soil sampling
Adigla Appolinaire Wedjangnon
The purpose is to find the best locations for planting the seedlings. We look for microsites with suitable biotic and abiotic conditions that will help the plants thrive. Identifying suitable microsites involves performing soil physical and chemical analysis. Preparing these microsites involves clearing weeds and making sure the soil is ready for new plants.
The soil quality and accessibility are important as soil nutrient and permeability state are vital for seedling survival and growth. The microsites should be easily accessible to ensure maintenance activities and monitoring.
Identifying suitable microsites can take time and requires thorough soil analysis. We discovered that not all nutrient-rich areas are easily accessible, so having backup microsites is helpful. Additionally, clearing the microsites effectively is vital to ensure no competing plants hinder seedling growth.
Seed collection, germination, and seedling production
Samara fruits of Mansonia altissima
Adigla Appolinaire Wedjangnon
Fruits of Mansonia altissima
Adigla Appolinaire Wedjangnon
Seedlings of Mansonia altissima
Adigla Appolinaire Wedjangnon
Making materials avilable to initiatite the restoration and conservation process for the plantation of seedlings. The purpose is to ensure that we have enough young plants for the species introduction into the identified protected forest ecosystems. We collected seeds from the existing population of the target species and sowed them in polyethylene bags filled with forest soil at the forest nursery. This block also focuses on providing the right care and environment for young seedlings to grow strong. It includes watering, protection from pests, and ensuring they get enough sunlight. Healthy seedlings are more likely to survive when planted. We raised the prouted seedlings for six months in field conditions before planting them.
As conditions important for successful seedling production, conservationists need high-quality and healthy seeds, a nursery with poor light-penetrated shading, a permanent water source, containers, and a medium. Establishing a reliable schedule for watering, fertilizing, and monitoring light conditions helps seedlings to grow faster. Regular checks for pests and diseases are necessary to protect seedlings and ensure healthy growth of plants.
Mass production of seedlings for restoration and conservation requires many financial resources and human capital for nursery care. However, this is a way to secure the establishment of planted trees in forest ecosystems. We also learned that seeds of different species may require tailored germination techniques. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to grow seedlings of all species. It is crucial to understand the specific needs of each seed type before starting.
Monitoring and evaluation allows us to effectively keep track of how the plants are doing by regulaurly studying the microsite conditions. The purpose is to gather information that helps us understand what works and what needs improvement. Continuous research allows us to adjust our methods for better results.
Resource availability: Access to tools, trained personnel, and financial support for effective monitoring is crucial to gather reliable data. A regular data collection and analysis allow us to better appreciate species performances and factors that impact seedlings establishment.
Monitoring and research are important for data sharing. Based on soil properties predominantly related to the African Black Walnut development our findings shed light on how soil parameters contribute to species distribution at the fine scale. Thus, we found new information concerning the habitat requirements which are quite interesting and valuable for the ex-situ management and conservation of Mansonia altissima.
Partnerships: indigenous people and local communities engagement
Some indigenous people engaged in the solution implementation
Adigla Appolinaire Wedjangnon
Some indigenous people engaged in the solution implementation
Adigla Appolinaire Wedjangnon
Collaboration with indigenous people and local communities (IP&LC) and organizations is essential. Through community engagement we are able to mobilise IP&LC in helping to protect the forests and restoration sites and support our efforts. By working together, everyone can contribute to the conservation goals and increase success.
Mutual trust and communication are essential to build strong relationships with IP&LC and organizations for successful restoration actions. IP&LC can include farmers and wildlife wardensm. Oorganizations can include forest offices. To build and maintain strong relationships, we have learned that impactful engagement with IP&LC requires developing shared objectives to keep everyone focused and motivated toward common conservation goals.
We faced challenges when trying to engage IP&LC without first understanding their needs and perspectives. Take time to listen and involve them in the process from the beginning to foster better cooperation. Engage with IP&LC through consultations and identification of species that are important for them and can help improve success
