International Center for Tropical Agriculture
In
Conservation Science and Practice, scientists highlight an overlooked but science-backed and nature-based solution to help countries tackle key environmental and sustainable development concerns. The low-cost root crop cassava, nicknamed Rambo root for its rugged appearance and resilient attributes, produces the highest amount of calories per hectare in most tropical countries, can withstand increasing temperatures, and thrives in poor soils.
Worldwide, land degradation occurs over a quarter of the earth s ice-free land area. Consequences include infertile land where food and other crops cannot grow; biodiversity loss; increased pollution and clogged waterways; flooding and species decline. Roughly 40 percent of Colombia is affected by degradation, especially in conflict areas, but the research has implications for other tropical countries with a similar context, say authors.