This study contributes to the knowledge of the variants of coffee-based agroforestry systems (CAFS) of the semi-deciduous forest zone of Togo. To achieve this, forest, floristic and ecological data were collected in 163 random plots of 25 m × 25 m (625 m²), to analyze the typology of the CAFS and their characteristics across the study area. In the 10.1875 ha surveyed, results showed a total of 2510 stems of woody plants belonging to 138 species and 38 families. The average tree density was 246.38 trees/ha, whereas the basal area was 27.99 m²/ha. Four types of CAFS have been identified; the first type (G1) is the plant communities dominated by Milicia excelsa and Persa americana associated with coffee trees; the second type (G2) is characterized by CAFS with Albizia spp. and Citrus sinensis as dominant woody species; the third group (G3) is composed of communities dominated by Albizia adianthifolia and Milicia excelsa and the fourth group (G4) consists of CAFS dominated by M. excelsa and Antiaris africana. The floristic composition showed that the latter CAFS (G4) dominated by M. excelsa and A. africana was the most diversified, more rich in term of species (Species richness = 110, Shannon index = 4.06) and of which the basal area (Basal area = 34.32 m 2 /ha) is larger than the others.

In tropics, species diversity in agricultural systems is often assessed without distinction between native and exotic species. However, the conservation value of an ecosystem depends on its richness in native species. This study was conducted to determine the conservation value of agricultural systems in Togo megahotspot, one of the species-rich sites in Upper Guinean. Specifically, the study compares fallow systems (FS), coffee systems (COFS), cocoa systems (COCS) to forest relics (FR) on the one hand, and on the other hand the agricultural systems (FS, COFS, COCS) between them base on natives tree species diversity and composition. Sites have been selected to represent different forest lands use types. Plots (n = 233) of different sizes (400, 500 and 625 m²) were used for data collection. In each plot, all living trees (DBH ≥ 10 cm) were counted. Rarefaction, generalized linear models (GLM) and ecological distance approach were used to standardized and compare the data. A total of 183 species were recorded, of which 42% were absent from the agricultural plots. Difference in diversity index were significant between the FR and agricultural systems (p<0.001), but not between agricultural systems (p=0.23). Guineo-Congolian climax and endemic species were seriously under threat. The study poses a real problem of regeneration dynamic of these species in human-dominated landscapes that requires further specific work.

Changes in climate patterns are the main challenges being faced by the coffee and cocoa production systems, one of the key sources of livelihood for farmers in Togo’s humid dense forests zone, also known as “Togo ecological zone IV”. The objective of this study was to analyze the climatic vulnerability of coffee-cocoa agroforestry systems (CCAFS) in Togo ecological zone IV both ongoing (last 40 years 1980–2019) and the incoming decades (by 2050) considering climate forecast under AR6 socioeconomic pathways. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) approach with the Mann–Kendall & Sen’s tests and the MaxEnt tool were used to assess the drought condition and the potential impacts on CCAFS suitability in the study area. The results show instability in rainfall series with a non-significant progressive trend in the area during the past four decades, while a significant increase in temperature was observed. Beyond 2050, suitable areas for coffee and cocoa species will drift to the pic mountainous part. Thus, respectively 51.91 and 54.50% of currently suitable areas for the two species, will be lost under the future climate scenario SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5. These losses are mainly due to the reduction of precipitation of the driest month (Bio14), precipitation of the driest quarter (Bio17), and precipitation of the coldest quarter (Bio19) of the year. Drought is therefore revealed as the main limiting climatic factor for coffee and cocoa in Togo. The increasing drought intensity in the future is a source of high vulnerability of CCAFS as well as the local farmers’ livelihoods.

West African Guinean forests are among the most diverse and threatened ecosystems in the world. The study aims to provide new insights about tree species patterns, abundance, and diversity for better management in Togo. Species diversity and density of trees were assessed in 170 plots randomly selected in the study area. Each tree with DBH >10 cm was identified and measured. Stem density, basal area, and diversity indices were calculated. In total, 243 species belonging to 170 genera and 44 families were identified in the study area. Five floristic groups were recognized. They are characterized respectively by Lophira lanceolata, Pterocarpus erinaceus and Daniellia oliveri association in Group 1; Theobroma cacao, Elaeis guineensis and Morinda lucida association in Group 2; Elaeis guineensis, Persea Americana and Albizia zygia association in Group 3; Cola gigantea, Senna siamea and Erythrophleum suaveolens association in Group 4 and Pycnanthus angolensis, Ceiba pentandra and Pseudospondias microcarpa association in Group 5. The Fabaceae, Moraceae and Malvaceae are the most represented families in the study area. The highest tree species diversity was observed in Group 4 (2.05 ± 0.61) and the lowest diversity in Group 2 (1.19 ± 0.64). Mean tree density ranges from 408.96± 202.17 (Group 1) to 273.90 ± 193.19 (Group 4). The highest tree basal area (27.99 ± 25.58 m 2 /ha) is obtained in Group 3 and the lowest (15.84 ± 13.44 m 2 /ha) is in Group 4. The presence of pioneer species in the study areas proves that the habitat has undergone serious anthropogenic disturbance events, which contribute to species loss.