Agroforestry as a nature-based climate resilience strategy: Addressing desertification and land degradation in the Kazakh Kyzylkum Desert’s marginal agroecosystems

Agroforestry, being a nature-based climate resilience strategy, plays a central role in desertification reversal and land degradation in the Kyzylkum Desert marginal agricultural ecosystems of Kazakhstan. Due to climate change, wind and soil erosion, and reduced rainfall, the region is facing ۱.۵ to ۲ percent yearly degradation of cropland and a ۳۰ percent decline in agricultural productivity over the past four decades. Field measurements and satellite imagery analysis show that the integration of native trees such as saxaul (Haloxylon spp.) into agricultural systems has increased vegetation cover by ۱۵ to ۳۰ percent, improved soil moisture by ۲۰ percent, and reduced wind erosion by ۴۰ percent in pilot areas over the past ۱۰ years. Moreover, carbon sequestration in these integrated ecosystems has been increased by up to ۱۰ tons per hectare, which effectively reduces greenhouse gas emissions. This strategy will not only strengthen the resilience of local communities to recurring droughts but also ensure food security and sustainable livelihoods by restoring ۵,۰۰۰ hectares of degraded lands by ۲۰۳۰. The outcomes of this research underscore the need to develop integrated natural resource management policies and combine indigenous knowledge with modern technologies.

کلیدواژه ها:

Agroforestry ، Desertification ، Climate resilience ، Qizilqum Desert ، Land degradation