Major agro-ecosystems of West and Central Africa: Brief description, species richness, management, environmental limitations and concerns

The West and Central Africa (WCA) sub region covers a total area of over 11.5 million km2 with a population of over 318 million. Most of the rural population in WCA are poor and food insecure and about 70% of the people in the region depends on agriculture, which accounts for over 35% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and over 40% of its export. The agroecological zones of WCA are closely related to the agro climatic zones of the region with rainfall decreasing from the southern coast in the forest region to the sub humid and semi arid Sahelian region in the north. The major agroecosystems of WCA include the semi arid, sub humid, humid forest, and swamp. Growing populations, inappropriate agricultural practices and changing climate in the region are influencing the composition and ability of agroecosystems in providing much needed ecosystem services. Coordinating efforts to tackle these challenges and leverage opportunities for sustainable agricultural production while ensuring conservation of the diverse ecosystems in the region is therefore a major preoccupation of the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD).