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Keeping its tradition of exploring major emerging issues, Nature & Faune has chosen to dedicate this edition to looking at the implications of rapid urbanization and its implications for urban food and nutrition security, focusing on the specific roles of sustainable management and utilization of natural resources in Africa‘s fast changing urban food and nutrition equation. Eighteen articles examine and address the challenges that continuing urbanization brings to food and nutrition security in Africa‘s urban centres in the context of sustainable natural resources management and utilization. The articles highlight the complementary role of natural resources in urban food and nutrition security with agricultural production remaining at the core. The editorial draws attention to the options of structuring agricultural production systems and promoting agricultural enterprises as being relevant in anticipating the changing issues of urban food security. It argues that it is difficult to achieve urban food security at individual country level, and thus endorses the view that urban food security is most likely achievable when regional approaches are strengthened. It suggests adopting joint agricultural and natural resources management policies within the African region as a way forward. The special feature in this edition highlights the contribution of trees, shrubs and other woody plants to food and nutrition as acknowledged in the first ever ―State of the World‘s Forest Genetic Resources report published by FAO in June 2014. Also under the Special Feature, Martin Nganje points to the fact that forests contribute directly towards food security and improved nutrition on the African continent through their non-timber forest products.In addition some authors in this edition discuss ways in which sustainable management of forests, water, fish resources and soil respond to the challenges and opportunities posed by Africa‘s urban food security and nutrition. Finally, this edition casts the spotlight on Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the country under focus.
