The role of trees in the restoration of degraded agro-ecosystems

Abstract

The increased conversion of natural forest ecosystems to agro-ecosystem without commensurate sustainable management leads to rapid degradation, thus threatening food security situation. Agro-ecosystems as the domain of agriculture activities need to be restored through a sustainable land use management system with self-sustaining biological mechanisms that will continuously stabilize the nutrient flow within the carrying capacity of the agro-ecozone. This paper reviewed the problems of degraded agro-ecosystem to include soil salinization, soil acidification, desertification, biodiversity endangerment, soil erosion and water crisis. The ecological principles guiding the restoration efforts are also reviewed. These roles include; influencing microclimate of the agro-ecosystem through shelterbelt establishment, nutrient cycling through decayed litter decomposition, stabilizing soil acidity and salinization and restoring underground water level. The paper advocates massive agro-forestry programs to restore degraded agro-ecosystem so that the desired sustainable agriculture could be achieved.

Keywords: Restoration, agro-ecosystem, trees, shelterbelt, degradation, agro-forestry