Christopher Burke
Senior Advisor, WMC Africa
As we forge into an era with environmental sustainability no longer optional, but a necessity, the nexus between land governance and biodiversity preservation has emerged an important fulcrum for agricultural innovation. Effective land governance underpins agricultural productivity and is pivotal to conserving biodiversity that in turn supports sustainable food systems and robust rural livelihoods.
The challenge of biodiversity loss is daunting with natural habitats continually diminishing under the pressure of agricultural expansion and land mismanagement. This crisis is not just about losing the scenic beauty of our natural world or the species that inhabit these landscapes, but compromising ecological services absolutely critical to agriculture including pollination, water purification and soil fertility.
Land governance, when implemented with foresight and inclusivity, provides the blueprint for harmonizing human activities with nature. The traditional view of land as merely a commodity overlooks its role as a reservoir of biodiversity. Sustainable land governance strategies emphasize land not only as a physical asset, but as an ecosystem that supports varied forms of life, each playing a role in agricultural and ecological sustainability.
To sustain the benefits that biodiversity brings to agriculture, land use policies must integrate biodiversity conservation as a core component. This involves designating protected areas, promoting sustainable land management practices and encouraging biodiversity-friendly farming. For instance, agroforestry and mixed cropping systems can enhance biodiversity on agricultural land and simultaneously provide multiple income streams to farmers.
Land tenure security is perhaps the single most significant factor influencing how land is used and managed. Secure land tenure provides farmers with confidence to invest in long-term sustainable practices. In countries across sub-Saharan Africa where land is primarily held under customary tenure, enhancing tenure security has proven to enhance land-use choices beneficial to both the environment and nutritional outcomes of subsistence households. A growing number of studies reveal that households with secure land tenure have better access to food, engage more in sustainable land management practices and are less vulnerable to the adversities of climate change.
Incorporating local communities, especially indigenous groups, in biodiversity conservation efforts is essential. These communities often possess traditional knowledge that can offer insights into sustainable land and biodiversity management. Policies that empower these communities, respect their land rights and involve them in decision-making processes lead to more effective conservation outcomes.
Despite these connections, challenges persist. Land conflicts, especially in rapidly growing populations with increasing pressure on land resources, threaten both biodiversity and food security. Moreover, the implementation of sustainable land governance is often hindered by inadequate legal frameworks, lack of political will and insufficient community engagement.
Land governance that supports biodiversity is not merely a conservation goal, but a fundamental strategy for future-proofing our agricultural systems against the impacts of climate change, ecological degradation and global food insecurity. As policymakers, practitioners and communities grapple with these issues, it is imperative to forge policies and practices that align land governance with biodiversity conservation. This integrated approach not only makes better use of the land, it ensures a resilient, productive and sustainable future for all.
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Christopher Burke is a senior advisor at WMC Africa, a communications and advisory agency in Kampala, Uganda. He has over 25 years’ experience working on a range of issues in social, political and economic development with a strong focus on land governance, agriculture, environmental conservation and peace-building across Asia and Africa.
