Combining Rainwater Harvesting and Grass Reseeding to Revegetate Denuded African Semi-arid Landscapes

Abstract In African drylands, perennial grasses preferred by grazing livestock are disappearing at an alarming rate. This has led to recurrent feed shortages threatening pastoralist’s livelihoods. Combining native grass reseeding and rainwater harvesting offers a viable innovative solution reverse this trend. However, studies determine how biomass yields affected soil moisture availability attributed in situ drylands limited. We investigated of three Africa, i.e., Enteropogon macrostachyus (Bush rye grass), Cenchrus ciliaris (African foxtail Eragrostis superba (Maasai love content typical semi-arid landscape. Rainwater structures included trenches, micro-catchments furrows. Additionally, rain runoff was diverted from adjacent road used as catchment area. Soil measured between November 2018 August 2019 using PlantCare Mini-Logger sensors installed 40 50 cm depths 0, 1, 5 15 m away the trench. Quadrat method 2019. Peaks were observed after rainfall events. gradually decreased rainy season, but higher closer is prolonged retention trenches. Biomass order > macrostachyus. production near trenches for all studied species. Sensitivity demonstrated magnitude yield reduction during growing season . These results suggest that more sensitive drought stress than adapted wide range conditions. enhanced displayed great potential revegetating denuded natural rangelands landscapes. Thus, combining techniques can produce measurable improvements pastoral livelihoods should be incorporated dryland development policies region. Ultimately, incorporating such strategies strengthen effectiveness ecological restoration meet objectives UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Graphical abstract