Multistrata Systems: Potentials and Challenges of Cocoa-based Agroforests in the Humid Tropics

Lojka, Bohdan; Pawera, Lukas; Kalousová, Marie; Bortl, Ludvik; Verner, Vladimír; Houška, Jakub; Vanhove, Wouter; Damme, Patrick Van

doi:10.1007/978-981-10-7650-3_23

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 118 publications

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“…However, there are numerous concerns regarding the unsustainability of high yields from unshaded monocropped cocoa, especially due to the ecological collapse of cocoa production in the Atlantic Coast area of Brazil, which resulted in witches' broom disease and an economic crisis [57,58]. One solution that has been proposed is the establishment of multi-strata cocoa agroforests for greater ecological stability [43,59,60]. This more holistic approach includes the adoption of ecological science, farmers' objectives, and appropriate policies to sustain agricultural production [8] based on the principle of "land-maxing" [7].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rebuilding Tree Cover in Deforested Cocoa Landscapes in Côte d’Ivoire: Factors Affecting the Choice of Species Planted

Atangana¹,

Gnangoh²,

Yao³

et al. 2021

Forests

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Intensive cocoa production in Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s leading cocoa producer, has grown at the expense of forest cover. To reverse this trend, the country has adopted a “zero deforestation” agricultural policy and committed to rehabilitating its forest cover through the planting of high-value tree species in cocoa landscapes using a participatory approach. However, little is known regarding the factors influencing farmers’ introduction of high-value tree species to cocoa landscapes. We tested the hypothesis that ten previously reported factors to influence agroforestry system adoption to predict the number and choice of tree species that farmers introduce to cocoa farms. We interviewed 683 households in the cocoa-producing zone of Côte d’Ivoire and counted tree species on their cocoa farms. On average, two tree species were recorded per surveyed farm. Generalized Poisson regression models revealed that, in the cocoa production area, experience in tree planting and expected benefits, including income and food, influence tree species introduction through planting or “retention” when clearing land for cocoa establishment. The age of the farmer also influenced (p = 0.017) farmers’ tree species planting on cocoa farms. Fewer tree species were introduced into current intensive cocoa-production areas than in “old cocoa-loops” and forested areas. The number of tree species introduced to cocoa farms increased with expected benefits and experience in tree planting. The number of planted tree species also increased with farmers’ age. Tree species were mostly selected for the provision of shade to cocoa, production of useful tree products (38%), and income from the sale of these products (7%). Fruit tree species were the most planted, while timber tree species were mostly spared when clearing land for cocoa production.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rebuilding Tree Cover in Deforested Cocoa Landscapes in Côte d’Ivoire: Factors Affecting the Choice of Species Planted

Atangana¹,

Gnangoh²,

Yao³

et al. 2021

Forests

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“…For each identified cacao tree, three soil core samples were taken 1 m away from the tree trunk. We used a soil corer 1 1 4 inch in diameter to sample a vertical soil core of 0-10 cm depth. Each soil core was composed of at least 200 g wet soil mass, excluding large stones and rocks.…”

Section: Soil Sampling and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cacao (Theobroma cacao, L.) agroforestry systems (CAFS), in which cacao grows under one or more tree species, are a biodiverse alternative to monoculture production. Integration of shade trees provides ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, preservation of biodiversity, and pest management, although in some cases these may come at the expense of short-term productivity [1][2][3]. Shade trees benefit cacao by favorably modifying the microclimate: buffering temperature extremes and wind, decreasing erosion locally, and reducing incoming light to avoid unwanted vegetative growth [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of Shade Trees on the Adjacent Cacao Rhizosphere in a Young Diversified Agroforestry System

Schmidt¹,

Firl²,

Hamran³

et al. 2022

Agronomy

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Cacao agroforestry systems offer the potential to diversify farmer income sources, enhance biodiversity, sequester carbon, and deliver other important ecosystem services. To date, however, studies have emphasized field- and system-scale outcomes of shade tree integration, and potential impacts on the rhizosphere of adjacent cacao trees have not been fully characterized. Interactions at the root–soil interface are closely linked to plant health and productivity, making it important to understand how diverse shade tree species may affect soil fertility and microbial communities in the cacao rhizosphere. We assessed the impacts of neighboring shade tree presence and identity on cacao yields and physical, chemical, and biological components of the cacao rhizosphere in a recently established diversified agroforestry system in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Stepwise regression revealed surprising and strong impacts of microbial diversity and community composition on cacao yields and pod infection rates. The presence of neighboring shade trees increased nitrogen, phosphorus, and pH in the rhizosphere of nearby cacao trees without yield losses. Over a longer time horizon, these increases in rhizosphere soil fertility will likely increase cacao productivity and shape microbial communities, as regression models showed nitrogen and phosphorus in particular to be important predictors of cacao yields and microbiome diversity and composition. However, neither presence nor identity of shade trees directly affected microbial diversity, community composition, or field-scale distance-decay relationships at this early stage of establishment. These results highlight locally specific benefits of shade trees in this agroecological context and emphasize the rhizosphere as a key link in indirect impacts of shade trees on cacao health and productivity in diversified systems.

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AMF Diversity in Coffee and Cacao Agroforestry Systems: Importance for Crop Productivity and Forest Conservation

et al. 2022

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Multistrata Systems: Potentials and Challenges of Cocoa-based Agroforests in the Humid Tropics

Cited by 6 publications

References 118 publications

Rebuilding Tree Cover in Deforested Cocoa Landscapes in Côte d’Ivoire: Factors Affecting the Choice of Species Planted

Rebuilding Tree Cover in Deforested Cocoa Landscapes in Côte d’Ivoire: Factors Affecting the Choice of Species Planted

Impacts of Shade Trees on the Adjacent Cacao Rhizosphere in a Young Diversified Agroforestry System

AMF Diversity in Coffee and Cacao Agroforestry Systems: Importance for Crop Productivity and Forest Conservation

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