Acacia species are found throughout the African savanna grazing lands. Home gardens utilize NFTs for soil fertility, as well as for edible fruits, leaves, or flowers, and as medicinals. Parkia species are important seasonal food sources in both Southeast Asia and West Africa. Woodlots planted with fast growing NFTs can yield quick returns, especially in less productive areas of the farm. Calliandra calothyrsus is an important woodlot tree in Indonesia.
Improved fallow is most useful in areas where slash and burn agriculture is practiced.
When a field is exhausted of its nutrients from intensive cultivation, NFTs can be planted for soil enrichment, and hasten the return of fertility. Sesbania sesban is utilized for this in western Kenya. Land reclamation using NFTs is commonly practiced on eroded mountainsides, exhausted grazing areas, unproductive mined areas, and for dune stabilization. Casuarina has been planted for dune stabilization in over 1,000,000 hectares in China. Many have seeds with thick coats, allowing long storage, but require scarification for moisture uptake.