Place and Roles of Trees in a Multifunctional Landscape: Trees and Environmental Services

This chapter aims to highlight the role of trees in the multifunctional landscapes of sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on biodiversity, multipurpose tree management, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and tree-based approaches to the rehabilitation of degraded landscapes. Trees play a crucial role in contributing significantly to biodiversity, environmental management, and climate change mitigation in sub-Saharan Africa. Agroforestry is a sustainable system that promotes biodiversity conservation and economic benefits. In multifunctional landscapes, trees fulfil a variety of functions, ranging from supporting wildlife diversity to income generation through the production of fruit, fodder, wood, and timber. Sustainable agroforestry practices, combined with traditional knowledge, are crucial to the effective management of trees on farms, helping to address livelihood challenges. Trees in agroforestry systems are key players in the rehabilitation of degraded landscapes, regulating run-off water, preventing soil erosion, and maintaining water quality. In response to biodiversity loss, land degradation and climate change, a holistic approach to managing trees in multifunctional landscapes is essential to restore and strengthen the resilience of ecosystems.