Domesticating and conserving indigenous trees species: an ecosystem based approach for adaptation to climate change in sub-Sahara Africa

Résumé

The current food production systems in Africa geared towards alleviating poverty and eliminating hunger, in accordance with Millennium Development Goal number one, are faced with many challenges. These challenges include among others i) the identification of plant species that will best suit specific environmental conditions under climate change ii) the need to sustainably feed people and improve their livelihoods while conserving native ecosystems iii) Loss of local capacities and know-how to sustainably manage local resources due to decades of external decision making on which crop to grow (mainly exotic plants). To date, there is agreement that domestication of indigenous plant species for the diversification of subsistence agriculture could play a big role in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. These species can be conserved and used to halt and reverse the increasing degradation of ecosystems while providing economic opportunities, particularly in African countries. Integration of these indigenous species into formal production systems could help establish an ecosystem based development path in African countries. To ensure the sustainability of such a new development pathway, it is important to guarantee availability of sufficient scientific information to guide decision making especially within the context of climate change and socioeconomic vulnerability. In addition, policy makers will need scientific information on market incentives and other policy instruments that can facilitate both conservation and development goals considering the MDGs. Moreover, paradigm shift in the development concept, education and capacity building will also be needed.