Unlocking Indigenous Plants for restoring degraded silvopastoral systems

Louhaichi, M., Kailene, J., Hamrouni, L., Belgacem, A., Hassan, S. 2024. Unlocking Indigenous Plants for restoring of degraded silvopastoral systems: IPSR Innovation Profile. First edition, October 2024. Montpellier: CGIAR System Organization.

Unlocking indigenous plants as innovative solutions for restoring agro-ecological zones under changing climate in the dry areas.

In response to rangeland degradation, conventional practices involving exotic species like Acacia saligna and Atriplex nummularia have exacerbated ecological imbalances by endangering local flora and fauna and diminishing biodiversity. While developing the Tunisian National Strategy for Advancing Feed and Forage Resources in Tunisia, ICARDA proposed innovative solutions centered on the reintroduction of indigenous species. These were carefully selected to thrive in specific agroecological zones addressing key constraints, and which will be implemented by the Office of Livestock and Pastures and other national institutions. Drivers of loss of indigenous species planting include limited seed availability, lack of awareness, and entrenched institutional behavior. Therefore, our strategies involve genetic source scanning to match indigenous species with environmental conditions, raising awareness about indigenous species’ benefits, and efforts to change institutional behavior. Additionally, we are exploring ways to enhance seed collection and multiplication. This approach revitalizes degraded rangelands, contributing significantly to climate change mitigation.