Capital researchers planning tree boost for African farmers

Published on Monday 16 June 2008 10:30

RESEARCHERS at Edinburgh University are encouraging African farmers to plant trees and preserve woodland as part of a project to promote biodiversity.

Participants are being encouraged to adopt sustainable techniques which promote biodiversity and improve local livelihoods.

Lessons learned from the pilot project, in N'hambita, Mozambique, will be used to help draw up guidelines for similar schemes when experts gather in Edinburgh this week.

Dr Mat Williams, of the university's school of geosciences, who is involved in the N'hambita project, said: "N'hambita lies within an African savanna woodland and supports a diverse range of plant and animal species.

"The area has suffered from deforestation and savanna fires. If we can encourage and assist farmers to manage the land sustainably while boosting their income, both the land and the villagers can benefit.

"We hope that the pilot project will provide lessons for increasing carbon storage in savanna woodlands and for reducing poverty in future schemes."

Experts will discuss the project at the Carbon and Communities in Tropical Woodlands event, hosted by the university from today until Wednesday.