Food-sourcing from on-farm trees mediates positive relationships between tree cover and dietary quality in Malawi

Citation

Vansant E, den Braber B, Hall C, Kamoto J, Reiner F, Oldekop J & Rasmussen LV (2024) Food-sourcing from on-farm trees mediates positive relationships between tree cover and dietary quality in Malawi. Nature Food, 5, pp. 661-666. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-024-01028-4

Abstract
Food security policies often overlook the potential of trees to provide micronutrient-rich foods. Here, through causal mediation analysis, we show the positive effect of tree cover on micronutrient adequacy, explained by people sourcing food from on-farm trees. Detailed survey data (n = 460 households with repeated surveys) from Malawi were linked to high-resolution (3 m) tree-cover data to capture forest and non-forest trees. Our findings support integrating nutrition and landscape restoration policies.

Keywords
Agriculture; Developing world; Development studies; Forestry; Geography

Journal
Nature Food: Volume 5

• Published Version