Arid ethno-forestry food systems: a wellbeing alternative for communities living in drylands
of the world.

Project description

The University of Nottingham has partnered with bio-scientists, engineers, government institutions, non-governmental organisations and forestry commissions to research the sustainable and holistic use of Mezquite (Prosopis sp), a species of tree which is remarkably resistant to drought and a key component of arid forestry food systems in Mexico, Kenya and Tanzania.

This new project aims to expand the partnership to include academics from the humanities and social sciences, indigenous researchers and representatives of dryland communities to broaden the exploration of arid ethno-forestry food systems.

This trans-disciplinary partnership will explore the historical, socio-cultural, gastronomical,
behavioural, economic and environmental impacts and benefits of the sustainable utilisation and conservation of arid ethno-forestry food systems in Mexico, Kenya, and Tanzania. It will design new methodologies and capacity-building strategies and facilitate community and research cross learning spanning the partner countries, with lessons shared.