Optimal Cover Crops for Land Reclamation in West Africa: A Review of Performance, Adaptability, and Ecosystem Benefits

Abstract

Land degradation is a major problem in West Africa and is driven by soil erosion, nutrient depletion, mining activities, deforestation, and climate variability. Cover crops are increasingly promoted as low-cost, nature-based tools for reclaiming degraded land, but their success depends on matching plant traits to local soil conditions, climate, and land-use history. This review assesses the performance and suitability of cover crops for land restoration across West Africa, with emphasis on functional traits, environmental adaptation, and ecosystem services under different degradation scenarios. A narrative review approach was applied to published field studies, on-farm trials, and land-rehabilitation projects from the defined search period, retrieved from major academic databases and regional grey literature. Studies were grouped by functional types, including legumes, grasses, and non-leguminous broadleaf species. Outcomes were synthesised for erosion control, soil organic-matter recovery, nutrient cycling, biological activity, crop establishment, and management limitations. The reviewed literature consistently reports reductions in runoff and soil loss, increases in organic inputs, and improved nutrient availability following cover-crop use. Legumes enhanced soil nitrogen through biological fixation, while grasses stabilised soil structure through dense root systems and persistent ground cover. Mixed plantings often showed greater stability under variable rainfall because complementary rooting depth and canopy structure improved water capture and reduced nutrient losses. However, performance varied with soil type, rainfall regime, degradation severity, and management practices. Different reclamation contexts require tailored strategies. Post-mining lands benefit from stress-tolerant pioneer species before productive legumes are introduced. Severely eroded fields require fast-establishing species with extensive roots, while dry savanna and Sahelian zones require drought-tolerant, short-season crops. Cover crops are an effective and adaptable option for land restoration in West Africa, but no single species suits all conditions. Policy programmes should prioritise site-specific selection, promote legume–grass mixtures, integrate extension services, and support long-term field trials in vulnerable landscapes.