Rehabilitation of Degraded Rangelands Through Assisted Natural Regeneration in Yobe State

Land degradation in the semi-arid rangelands of Yobe State has reduced the productive capacity of ecosystems that support the livelihoods of millions of pastoralists and agropastoralists across northeastern Nigeria. Assisted natural regeneration, a low-cost technique involving selective protection and management of naturally sprouting trees and shrubs, offers a scalable rehabilitation approach adapted to resource-constrained Sahelian environments. This study assesses the effectiveness and scalability of assisted natural regeneration implementation across twelve degraded rangeland plots in three Local Government Areas of Yobe State. Tree and shrub density, height, basal area, canopy cover, and grass biomass were monitored over three years in treatment plots compared to control areas. Farmer-managed natural regeneration practice intensity was assessed through field observation and household interviews. Carbon sequestration increments were estimated using published Sahelian tree biomass functions. Results show statistically significant improvements in woody cover density, grass productivity, and species richness in treatment sites compared to controls after three years. Carbon accumulation rates averaged 0.8 tonnes of carbon per hectare per year. Farmer adoption was strongly linked to clear tenure security over the managed plots. The cost per hectare of assisted natural regeneration was estimated at one-eighth the cost of conventional replanting. The study recommends integration of assisted natural regeneration into the Yobe State Agricultural Development Programme's arid zone restoration package, with immediate attention to land tenure legal reforms. Keywords: assisted natural regeneration, rangeland rehabilitation, Yobe State, arid zone restoration, carbon sequestration