Aster Afwork Gebrekirstos

Aster Afwork Gebrekirstos FAAS TWAS is an Ethiopian scientist and a professor of agroforestry at World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF).

Quotes

• Trees tell us a lot about climate and ecological history, because they are the oldest living things on the planet and can live up to 4000 years.
  • How can looking at trees’ growth rings help with climate adaptation"?
• At the moment, we have many, many indigenous trees in the tropics, but we are selecting very few for restoration – we’re mostly planting exotic trees like eucalyptus, grevillea, and cypress.
  • How might this initiative also help with biodiversity conservation in Africa"?
• Because in temperate regions, you have clear climate seasonality – in winter, everything is dormant – so the growing period is very well-marked.
  • Why is the misconception that tropical trees don’t have growth rings still so prevalent"?
• The formation of this working group is just the beginning. It’s a platform for identifying the methods, sampling techniques.
  • What are your hopes for the future of the ATRN"?
• Trees are like people. Some species, some are opportunists. In good times they spend and grow like crazy. Some really conservative they grow better in difficult years. And the conservative tree could better cope with climate change.
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• I have learned how farmers have changed in the last ten years. They are open and keen to use new technologies.
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