In the Sahel, where livelihoods rely heavily on rainfed agriculture and pastoralism amid growing climate uncertainty, understanding how people engage with the land is vital. Ecosystem services—like those provided by trees and shrubs—play a crucial role, especially as their presence has grown since past droughts through local stewardship. These multifunctional landscapes support diverse needs, requiring that development efforts carefully reflect local knowledge to avoid harmful trade-offs. Strong village leadership and decentralized resource management are key to sustaining positive practices.