Tropical dry forests, such as the Miombo woodlands (the largest dryland forest), play a pivotal role in rural livelihoods, particularly for the forest-dependent communities. Spanning more than 1 million km across seven southern African countries, Miombo woodlands harbor diverse and multifunctional landscapes and are inextricably linked to the lives of more than 300 million people. The Miombo also plays a major role in regulating regional and global climate dynamics. Despite the profound socio-ecological significance of the Miombo in climate, environmental, and development discourse, they face complex environmental, social, and economic transitions and are increasingly at risk. These changes not only threaten the ecological integrity of the woodlands, but have profound impacts on food security, livelihoods, and overall community well-being. And yet, the Miombo is still among the least studied terrestrial ecosystems, remaining undervalued or overlooked in many national policies and development programs.
Researchers from the U.S. and Mozambique will work collaboratively with a network of local partners in two countries (Mozambique and Zimbabwe) to co-design solutions that address the interlinked challenges of climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and human well-being. The project will empower marginalized communities in the Miombo to actively participate in the management and sustainable use of their natural resources, which will build resilience to environmental and climate transitions.
