Paper short abstract:

The various cases presented come from various communities in the ASALs of Kenya and show evidence-based approaches that are useful and sustainable. Indigenous tree seedlings play a very critical role in restoration of degraded lands owing to their adaptability and resilience in dryland areas.

Paper long abstract:

Arid and Semi-arid regions are facing increased impacts of climate change resulting to challenges which have resulted in biodiversity and soil fertility loss. It is highly recognized that trees contribute a range of ecosystem services in urban environments and through their various value chains contribute to livelihood support for many in sub-Saharan Africa. Rehabilitation using indigenous tree species in Kenya faces challenges as the country lacks guidelines on species site matching, activities on soil and water conservation in a scale large enough to ensure the rehabilitation actions are sustainable. The case for forestry, soil and water conservation suitable activities needs to be disseminated and to contribute to achieving food security under climate change. The various cases presented come from various communities in the ASALs of Kenya and show evidence-based approaches that are useful and sustainable. Indigenous tree seedlings play a very critical role in restoration of degraded lands owing to their adaptability and resilience in dryland areas. Development of indigenous seedlings in tree nurseries is therefore an exercise of great essence. This has caused a need for review of practices to improve performance of the seedlings in the nurseries to aid in quality improvement, thus demonstrating easy changes to increase seedlings survival and quality. This will be followed up by assessment of the ecological performance of rehabilitation efforts in two arid and semi-arid (ASAL) sites with varying number of tree species and a demonstration of large-scale restoration of degraded lands to support both community and biodiversity using technologies that are easy to adopt. Then finally an evaluation of a high potential area to show opportunities for practice change regarding manure management.