A comprehensive review of traditional ecological knowledge for the restoration of social-ecological systems in African rangelands

Abstract

African rangelands, covering nearly half of the continent’s landmass, are under increasing pressure from overgrazing, deforestation, agricultural expansion, and climate change. African rangelands, which function as complex social-ecological systems, support biodiversity, pastoral livelihoods, cultural identity, and ecosystem services across nearly half of the continent. Despite increasing restoration efforts, there remains limited synthesis of how Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) operates within social–ecological systems to influence soil restoration, biodiversity conservation, fodder security, and community governance across African rangelands. This review systematically examines the role of TEK in rangeland restoration across Africa, focusing on its ecological, cultural, and socio-economic contributions. Following the PRISMA methodology, relevant literature was identified from Web of Science, Scopus and ProQuest databases, screened using strict eligibility criteria, and narrowed from 341 initial records to 10 empirical studies published between 2013 and 2025. Key TEK systems identified include ngitiri (Tanzania), zai pits and Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (Sahel), pastoral grazing reserves (East Africa), and agro-silvopastoral systems (Horn of Africa), each contributing differently to ecological restoration and socio-institutional resilience. Findings show that TEK-based systems restore soil fertility, enhance biodiversity, secure fodder resources, and strengthen community governance, while offering low-cost and culturally embedded solutions. However, challenges such as insecure land tenure, limited policy recognition, and climate pressures constrain their long-term effectiveness. The study concludes that integrating TEK with scientific approaches through supportive policies and participatory co-management frameworks provides context-specific and resilient pathways for sustainable rangeland restoration, biodiversity conservation, and climate adaptation across Africa. These findings suggest that TEK contributes to restoration outcomes primarily through context-specific ecological practices and locally governed institutions, rather than as universally transferable solutions.