Restoring vegetation in low rainfall areas is difficult and urges the need to design an effective and low-cost method of vegetation restoration. This study was undertaken in the lowlands of northern Ethiopia to: (1) investigate how exclosure age affects restoration of degraded native plant species richness, diversity and aboveground standing biomass, and (2) identify soil characteristics, which affect effectiveness of exclosures to restore degraded native vegetation.

Tropical rainforest currently covers more than 90% of French Guiana. Population growth, however, puts pressure on the land, resulting in increased deforestation, partly due to the need for greater agricultural production. Changes in land use are known to alter biogeochemical processes, including greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).[br/]This study investigates the effects of the conversion of tropical forest to cultivation on soil n2o emissions. The study was carried out over a complete crop cycle at the experimental site combi (french guianese coast).

Basically, climate change refers to any change in climate overtime, generally caused by natural variability and/or human activities. It has great devastating impact, particularly on agriculture and by extrapolation on farmers and the national economy. The frontline agricultural extension workers are expected to be among the principal stakeholders to teach farmers how to cope with climate change.

Poplars and willows provide society with ecosystem services. These include direct economic benefits such as wood, fibre, fuelwood and other forest products. They also include environmental benefits improving the lives of people, such as through rehabilitation of degraded land, restoration of forest landscapes and mitigation of climate change. All of these services support rural livelihoods, enhance food security, alleviate poverty and contribute to sustainable land use and rural development, particularly in developing countries.