The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) is joining hands with Conservation International (CI) to promote conservation in the world's 25 biodiversity hotspots, areas with the greatest diversity of wild animal and plant species that are threatened by human activities.

Agroforestry helps poor farmers to increase incomes while protecting biodiversity.

“Our partnership offers a unique blend of scientific competency and credibility,” said Dennis Garrity, Director General, World Agroforestry Centre. “This will help integrate the twin objectives of conservation and development.” The two organizations are exploring opportunities for joint activities in the tropical forests of Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America. Russel Mittermeier, President, Conservation International Foundation, signed a memorandum of understanding launching the partnership.

Although biodiversity hotspots cover about 2.3 percent of the earth's surface, each square kilometer of land supports a big diversity of animal and plant species and provides as many as 300 people with shelter and livelihoods. But owing to unsustainable utilization, each of the hotspots has lost at least 70 percent of its original natural vegetation.

The two organizations bring unique competencies to the task. ICRAF's experience in changing landscapes and livelihoods through agroforestry, and CI's experience in science-based biodiversity conservation will help protect biodiversity hotspots. Agroforestry is a viable means of averting threats to biodiversity because it enables farmers to benefit from, and raise trees, thus preserving biodiversity in rural landscapes.

For more information, visit www.worldagroforestrycentre.org