In Kenya’s Daily Nation, Tony Simons, Director General of the World Agroforestry Centre, outlines how certain fertilizer trees capture nitrogen from the air and transfer it to the soil, leading to higher crop yields.

He points to research by the Centre on the multiple benefits of trees, including in stabilizing and healing the soil, reducing reliance on expensive inorganic fertilizers.

While above the ground, the trees harbor birds and insects, it is below the ground that the real benefit to farmers is attained through the work of earthworms, termites, ants, and microscopic bacteria and fungi.

Simons also writes about the value of trees for fruits, nuts, vegetables, fodder, medicines, timber and fuelwood.

Read the full story: Why we depend on trees for survival