Planting for a changing climate: Smallholders' tree species selection for agroforestry-based intensification and...

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Climate Change Adaptation
• Agroforestry Systems

Background:

• Arable land in the Sahel faces significant threats from climate change.
• Agroforestry presents a viable strategy for smallholder farmers to adapt to climate-related challenges.
• Integrating fertilizer and fruit trees can intensify and diversify food production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if Senegalese smallholders plant trees based on their perceptions of climate challenges.
• To determine if smallholders select specific fertilizer and fruit tree species in response to perceived climate threats.
• To analyze the factors influencing tree planting and species selection among smallholders in the Senegalese Groundnut Basin.

Main Methods:

• Utilized survey data from 606 smallholders in the Senegalese Groundnut Basin.
• Categorized tree species into fertilizer and fruit tree types.
• Applied a Heckman regression model to analyze tree planting and species selection determinants.

Main Results:

• 82% of smallholders perceive land degradation as a major challenge; others cited heavy rains, soil salinization, and shortened rainy seasons.
• Resource constraints (access to wells, land tenure, agroforestry knowledge, subsidies) significantly impact the likelihood of tree planting.
• Climate change perceptions correlate with species selection: land degradation and shortened rainy seasons favor fruit tree selection, while salinization discourages both fertilizer and fruit tree planting.

Conclusions:

• Smallholder decisions on tree planting and species selection are influenced by both resource availability and perceived climate change impacts.
• Policy interventions should prioritize improving resource access and promoting salt-tolerant tree species.
• Encouraging the integration of diverse tree species is crucial for holistic climate change adaptation strategies in the region.