ROLE OF FORESTRY IN COMBATING DESERTIFICATION IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

Desertification is the major ecological challenge facing drylands the world over. The dryland region of Nigeria (Northern Nigeria) is not an exception. Desertification renders once fertile lands unfertile, once occupied environments unoccupied. This paper is a review of various forestry practices used in combating desertification and those that have the potential of revising and restoring desert fields with particular reference to Northern Nigeria. It is evident from this review that forestry plays a vital role in combating desertification. Forestry offers an all encompassing approach towards the fight against desertification, it does not stop with proffering solution to the ecological components of desertification. It helps in solving some of the causes and symptoms of desertification in form of poverty through the provision of substitute and source of income from the sale of non timber forest products which goes a long way in reducing the pressure on natural resources.