The African Forest Forum (AFF) in a study on professional forestry associations in southern Africa found out that a majority of formerly active professional forestry associations have gone moribund for several reasons. However, South Africa is the exception in that it has a number of active forest related associations that are backed by a vigorous industrial base. They are well placed to influence public policies in support of the forestry sector. In addition, several countries including Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe have associations of producers, traders and manufactures of forest products. Despite this, there is tremendous interest in virtually every country to strengthen, revive or establish new professional forestry associations; largely motivated by the income generation and poverty reduction 'policy push' in virtually every country; and more recently, the new opportunities in forestry to reduce CO2 emissions under REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) schemes. The AFF considers it an opportune moment to strengthen, establish or revive both professional and industry associations in a continent that is increasingly becoming aware of the potential role of forests and trees, their contribution to national incomes, livelihoods, and stability of the environment.  

The introduction of REDD+, AR-CDM, AFOLU/INDCs and voluntary carbon market related initiatives as market-based mechanisms aims at reducing global carbon emissions, enhancing environmental resilience and spurring economic growth and development. These mechanisms are attractive to the economies, sustainable environmental management, and livelihood improvements of African countries. The implementation of these market-based mechanisms has resulted in the greater availability of financing, transfer of technology and capacity building incentives that underpin GHG emissions reductions and enhancement of ecosystem resilience. Ultimately this leads to stable ecosystems in which sustainable development that leads to the improvement in peoples’ livelihoods would be ensured.

Understanding the context: Forestry and PPPs in Ghana Forestry, a key sector of the Ghanaian economy, contributes 2-6% of the national GDP and provides livelihood support to 15% (3.6million) of the Ghanian population. Extensive agriculture, mining, logging and fuelwood exploitation have contributed significantly to depletion of forest cover in Ghana. The annual deforestation rate is estimated at about 2% (FAO, 2010), one of the highest in the world. By 2009, direct fiscal aid amounting to USD 643 million had been invested by development partners in support of sustainable forest management in Ghana (Beeko, et al., 2014). Raw material supply to the timber industry, the fourth foreign exchange earner in the country, has declined; with most forest products milling firms operating under capacity, and others gone out of business (Birinkorang et al., 2014)

The global advancement and investments in biofuels production, consumption and trade are widely regarded as offering environmentally-sustainable solutions to reducing harmful greenhouse gases (GHG), poverty reduction, food and energy security, rural development and employment in developing countries. However, biofuels may also lead to food insecurity, environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity habitat, human displacement; land use and land cover change in situations where policy and institutional frameworks are poor. It is against this background that the AFF instituted this study to investigate and understand the biofuels industry in the selected countries of southern Africa namely: Madagascar, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, its interplay within the nexus food-fuel-fibre (3Fs), as influenced by the existing policy and institutional frameworks. Specifically, this study sought to address the following key result areas:

The global advancement and investments in biofuels production, consumption and trade are widely regarded as offering environmentally-sustainable solutions to reducing harmful greenhouse gases (GHG), poverty reduction, food and energy security, rural development and employment in developing countries. However, biofuels may also lead to food insecurity, environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity habitat, human displacement; land use and land cover change in situations where policy and institutional frameworks are poor. It is against this background that the AFF instituted this study to investigate and understand the biofuels industry in the selected countries of southern Africa namely: Madagascar, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, its interplay within the nexus food-fuel-fibre (3Fs), as influenced by the existing policy and institutional frameworks. Specifically, this study sought to address the following key result areas:

This report presents the harmonized and expanded results of studies carried out in 2016 by two teams of researchers on the potential of forests for green economy development in West Africa: the Anglophone study in three sample countries namely: Nigeria, Ghana and The Gambia, and the Francophone study in another three West and Central African countries namely: Niger, Benin and Gabon. The current study also benefits from information obtained from grey sources and the researcher’s experience in West African societies. Although variously defined, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) describes green economy as low carbon (C), resource-efficient and socially inclusive economy. Forests meanwhile were placed at the center of green economy development in 2009 during the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe /Food and Agriculture Organization (UNECE/FAO) Conference in Geneva, titled “Forest sector in the green economy”. The conference consensually concluded that there was a key role for forests in the transition towards green economy and a more sustainable society. The current study upholds the preceding assertion and proposes to generate verifiable information necessary to increase awareness of policy makers and other actors in West Africa on the role and contribution of forests to the development of a green economy in the sub-region. The study focuses on forests as biological capital for wealth creation, elimination of poverty and stimulation of economic activity. The study identified key elements and proposed how they may be explored to ensure forests’ contribution to green economy development without risking sustainable forest management SFM). With respect to food security and development: rational exploitation of edible forest commodities; systematic reforestation and rational exploitation of floodplains for enhanced fisheries; planned greening and sustainable use of agricultural production schemes including agroforestry; and planned enrichment of pastures with fodder tree species for enhanced livestock husbandry. With respect to forest assets for economic and social development: planned expansion and intensification of forest biomass stock; sustainable bio-trade in forest foods, bio-medicines and cottage industry products; sustainable development of industrial wood markets, biomass-based energy, and improved energy efficiency; and sustainable exploitation of ecological tourism and intangible heritage assets. As regards forests for environmental stability and security: conservative management of biodiversity; sustainable management of watersheds; rational exploitation of climate related development processes; and the greening and sustainable use of urban spaces for recreation, leisure and development.

Aims This study was conducted to assess the effects of shifting cultivation and its conversion to mono-cropping on soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (STN). Methods We compared soil pH, texture, bulk density and SOC and STN contents and stocks (0–100 cm) in natural forest (NF), adjacent shifting cultivation (SC) areas (> 100 years old) having three (SC-3Y), five (SC5Y) and seven (SC-7Y)-year-old fallowing, and 10 year-old mono-cropping field (MCF) converted from shifting cultivation in Western Ethiopia. Results There was no significant difference in soil pH in NF and all shifting cultivation areas. However, MCF had lower soil pH compared to SC-3Y and SC-5Y. There was no or very little difference in soil texture and bulk density across the study sites. Shifting cultivation did not affect SOC and STN stocks. However, conversion of shifting cultivation to mono-cropping decreased SOC (45–50% over 10 years; loss of 11.6 ± 0.2 Mg C ha−1 yr.−1 ) and STN stocks (18–45% over 10 years; loss of 0.6 ± 0.1 Mg N ha−1 yr.−1 ). Conclusions While shifting cultivation maintained SOC and STN, its conversion to mono-cropping decreased them, potentially contributing to global warming and decreasing soil fertility.

This paper discusses the potentials of meeting the wood demand and achieving SFM in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) through the establishment of forest plantations. The paper reviews forest plantation ownership and distribution patterns in SSA and the factors –silvicultural, ecological, and economic that affect supply and demand for wood at both domestic and international markets. The risk associated with investing in forest plantations and their susceptibility to pest and disease attacks are highlighted. But with sound silvicultural practices these fears are allayed. Ecological sustainability is in most situations ensured, but there are risks associated with burning logging slash after harvesting. It is found that efficiency in plantation management and success in achieving sustainable wood supply depends to a large extent on whether the plantations are owned and managed by the public or the private sector. Many public sector managed plantations are poorly managed and not profit-oriented. They have other environmental and social services and benefits as objectives. Many benefits from such activities are not easily quantifiable in monetary terms and therefore cannot be used to determine the profitability of the plantations. Thus, in financial analysis, most public sector owned and managed plantations are unprofitable and not economically viable because these important benefits are excluded in the calculations. Private owned forest plantations are well managed and aim at profit maximization and therefore integrate plantations to wood processing plants to improve the form and value of wood and make the wood products more competitive in both domestic and export markets. As a way forward, a number of actions are listed to ensure long-term viability of forest plantations in SSA.

Land conversion and degradation in the Sahel have emerged as a primary concern. The process leading to land conversion is sometimes as a consequence of multiple economic, social, cultural and political issues. These have seriously affected the ecological equilibrium, resulting in natural resources degradation, and hence a decline in agricultural production. With serious impact on peoples’ livelihoods, climate change is also recognized as a major consequence of land conversion and threat in the region. Sustainable Land Management (SLM) is considered as a promising solution to land restoration, mitigation of climate change, and resilience of rural population to external shock. SLM is also considered as a tool for harmonisation of interventions between the major sub-sectors with respect to land use. The paper therefore reviews the various Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices, techniques and technologies used in the Sahelian countries with focus on their suitability and biophysical benefits. Furthermore, the strategy for up-scaling of the land restoration practices in the Sahelian countries, as well as their requirements and barriers were discussed. Strategies to strengthen the capacities of all stakeholders in SLM approaches, practices, and techniques were recommended. Keywords: sustainable land management, land restoration, Sahel region, forest resources, climate change Pratiques de gestion durable des terres au Sahel : Revue des pratiques, techniques et technologies pour la restauration des terres et de stratégie de mise à échelle A. MAISHAROU, P.W. CHIRWA, M. LARWANOU, F. BABALOLA et C. OFOEGBU La conversion et la dégradation des terres sont des préoccupations majeures émergentes au Sahel. Le processus de la conversion des terres est parfois comme une conséquence de questions économiques, sociales, culturelles et politiques multiples. Celles-ci ont sérieusement affecté l’équilibre écologique, résultant à une dégradation des ressources naturelles, et donc une baisse de la production agricole. Avec de graves répercussions sur les moyens de subsistance et les conditions de vie des populations, le changement climatique est également reconnu comme une des principales conséquences de la menace et de la conversion des terres dans la région. La Gestion Durable des Terres (GDT) est considéré comme une solution prometteuse à la restauration des terres, à l’atténuation du changement climatique, et le renforcement de la résilience de la population rurale à des chocs externes. La GDT est également considérée comme un outil pour l’harmonisation des interventions entre les principaux sous-secteurs eu égard de l’utilisation des terres. Le document examine donc les diverses pratiques, techniques et technologies de Gestion Durable des Terres (GDT) utilisées dans les pays du Sahel avec un accent particulier sur leur pertinence et leurs avantages biophysiques. En outre, la stratégie de mise à l’échelle des pratiques de restauration des terres dans les pays du Sahel, ainsi que les besoins et les obstacles ont été discutés. Les stratégies visant à renforcer les capacités de tous les intervenants sur les approches, pratiques et techniques de la GDT ont été recommandées.

This report examined the prospects of greenhouse gas mitigation in African tree Plantations, with a focus on the potential of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) in Plantations. Plantations constitute one out of every five hectares of world forests which currently add up to 4 220 million hectares. It is estimated that c. 16 million ha of plantations are growing in Africa, which is about 4% of all African forests, compared to a significantly higher global average of 7%. In recent years there has been an accelerated pace of planting in Africa, especially by the private sector and non-public actors. Forest plantations are subject to the same factors that drive deforestation and forest degradation in general, albeit to a varying degree. This study reports that, since 1990, Africa has been losing an estimated 51 000 ha of plantations annually with a carbon stock averaging 30 t/ha. A further 200 000 ha are estimated to be in various states of degradation every year. Interventions to reduce and/or eliminate carbon emissions through establishment of plantations could lead to substantial carbon benefits under the REDD+ programme given the eventual high carbon stocking of fast-growing plantations. Estimates using standard assumptions on carbon stocking in plantations suggest that about 40 million tonnes of CO2 could be creditable to REDD+ annually. The study further reviewed other mitigation activities possible in African plantations and most of these will fall in the category of “Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Activities” agreed on in Doha in 2012. Such activities may include biomass conservation, utilisation efficiency improvements, using plantation and wood industry residues for co-generation of heat and power, complimentary possibilities to establish new plantations for the production of biofuels, as long as it does not impinge on food security and exacerbate land conflicts where the resource is scarce. It is also recommended that African countries consider expansion of plantations as a REDD+ programme to relieve pressure on natural forests. When applied to plantations, REDD+ has less community conflicts over tenure, ownership and access given the largely public ownership of plantations in Africa. With the extent of plantations, and the significant rates of deforestation and degradation, it is recommended that plantations be opened to all mitigation options available in the forestry sector, especially REDD+. It is thus recommended that African countries involve plantations in climate change baseline studies and include MRV issues in the regular plantation management plans. To allow for meaningful participation of plantations in GHG mitigation, African countries should foment the policy and institutional changes necessary within the forest management system.