Abstract
Farmer managed natural regeneration (FMNR) is promoted as a cost-effective technique to restore degraded arable drylands. Evidence comes mainly from the West-African Sahel, where it is a traditional practice, and it is now being promoted across the African continent. In this study, we evaluated the role of the farmer affecting natural regeneration under farmer managed natural regeneration in the highly degraded Dodoma region in Tanzania. We systematically assessed the linkages between species selection, perceived benefits and management practices as reported by 57 farmers in 13 villages involved in FMNR. On average, farmers list 2.8 species to be promoted on their farms as part of the practice of FMNR. In total, a list of 69 species was promoted by the practice, of which most (51) were only mentioned by one or two farmers, indicating that FMNR may contribute substantially to on-farm regional diversity. Most species selected were associated with a range of benefits and the diversity of benefits, not any single benefit, explained species selection under FMNR. Management of FMNR species goes beyond pruning, a practice promoted within FMNR, and is characterized by 10 different practices that are differentially applied to the selected species and individuals. We conclude that species selection and management under FMNR is driven by farmers autonomous decisions, making FMNR both diverse and complex and complicates predicting the extent to which FMNR may successfully contribute to achieving specific restoration outcomes. Monitoring farms over extended periods may increase outcome prediction capacity.
Highlights
Communities worldwide are affected by land degradation, in developing countries, because of high population pressure, reliance on charcoal and woody resources as the main energy sources and livestock overgrazing (Sabogal et al, 2015)
We evaluated farmers selection and management of natural regeneration when applying farmer-managed natural regeneration in the highly degraded Dodoma region in Tanzania
We systematically assessed the linkages between species selection, perceived benefits and management practices as reported by farmers that are involved in Farmer managed natural regeneration (FMNR)
Summary
Communities worldwide are affected by land degradation, in developing countries, because of high population pressure, reliance on charcoal and woody resources as the main energy sources and livestock overgrazing (Sabogal et al, 2015). Land degradation negatively impacts local livelihoods and increases the vulnerability of agro-ecosystems to climate change (Webb et al, 2017). Integrated approaches to land restoration can improve livelihoods, enhance biodiversity and increase climate mitigation by FMNR Species Selection and Management enhancing carbon sequestration in soil and vegetation (Benayas et al, 2009; Carey, 2020). Dryland systems, which include arid, semi-arid and dry-sub humid ecosystems, are vulnerable to land degradation and disturbances (James and Carrick, 2016; Hulvey et al, 2017). Most restoration opportunities for dryland subsistence farming exists in landscapes with moderate to high population pressure (Minnemeyer et al, 2011). Planting trees in dryland systems is challenged by low survival rates, in combination with the high costs of planting (Tougiani et al, 2009; Reij and Garrity, 2016; Holl and Brancalion, 2020)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
