Are African Countries Planting Tree Walls?

Africa has been struggling with environmental challenges for a long time. Few natural resources and harsh conditions have led to severe droughts and desertification in many African countries. Tree planting has, therefore, become an important strategy to combat these issues. One practice that has been gaining traction recently is the planting of tree walls.

What are Tree Walls?

Tree walls are simply man-made forests. They consist of a dense and continuous line of trees planted along the edges of farmland or along boundaries of forests. The purpose of planting these trees is to create a barrier that helps to reduce soil erosion, regulate water runoff, and prevent sand and dust storms. They also help to promote biodiversity and act as carbon sinks to mitigate climate change.

Benefits of Planting Tree Walls

Planting tree walls has several benefits. They play a crucial role in restoring degraded lands, create windbreaks, provide shade and shelter, and reduce soil degradation. Tree walls also help to improve soil fertility, increase crop yields, and contribute to food security.

Tree walls contribute to the conservation of biodiversity by providing a habitat for various wildlife and bird species. They also help to regulate local and global climate by acting as carbon sinks. Additionally, tree walls are a sustainable solution as they require little maintenance and have a long lifespan.

Examples of African Countries Planting Tree Walls

Several African countries have taken up the initiative to plant tree walls. In Burkina Faso, an initiative called "The Great Green Wall" aims to create a barrier of planted trees across the Sahara Desert. This project was started in 2007, and over 15 million hectares of land have been restored through farming and the planting of trees.

Another African country that is planting tree walls is Ethiopia. The country has set a target of planting four billion trees by the end of 2021. In 2019 alone, Ethiopia successfully planted 353 million trees in one day, setting a world record.

South Africa is also no stranger to tree planting initiatives. The country launched an ambitious campaign to plant 1.5 million hectares of new forests by 2025. This initiative aims to address the issue of deforestation and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Conclusion

Tree walls are an effective solution to combat the environmental challenges that African countries face. They provide numerous benefits, such as preventing soil erosion, improving soil fertility, promoting biodiversity, and acting as carbon sinks. Several African countries have taken up the initiative to plant tree walls, and these examples prove that this method is a sustainable and effective solution.