The effect of land use systems on tree diversity: farmer preference and species composition of cocoa-based agroecosystems in Ghana

Abstract

Traditionally, most cocoa farms are established by removing the forest understorey and thinning the forest canopy so that cocoa seedlings can grow into productive trees by utilising the forest rent of the newly cleared area and the shade provided by the remaining trees. With

Farmer perceptions of plant–soil interactions can affect adoption of sustainable management practices in cocoa agroforests: a case study from Southeast Sulawesi

“…This has been the case in other regions where farmers were acutely aware of processes directly tied to crop productivity, such as the risk of physical damage caused to cocoa trees by falling branches from shade trees (Atkins andEastin 2012, Lamond et al 2016) or the appearance of yellow leaves, which are indicative of poor cocoa tree health and can be expected to lead to decreased productivity (Isaac et al 2009). Similarities in farmer perceptions regarding physical soil properties (Joshi et al 2004) and the usefulness of shade trees in coffee or cocoa agroforests (Albertin and Nair 2004, Anglaaere et al 2011, Gyau et al 2014 have been observed across different regions. Such commonalities in the ways cocoa farmers across the globe relate soil fertility and cocoa tree health highlight that indicators used by farmers vs. scientists do not always capture the same things, and underline the importance of local knowledge.…”

Trade-offs between crop intensification and ecosystem services: the role of agroforestry in cocoa cultivation

“…There is a need to develop agroforestry practices that maintain or enhance a diverse tree canopy combining local species for enhancing functional diversity with tree species, local or exotic, with more specific functions such as legumes for soil fertility enhancement and trees with high timber or carbon sequestration values. The selection of tree species and combinations is likely to be most effective where farmers participate so that their goals and aspirations are taken into account, and their local agroforestry knowledge is incorporated into the design and management of the system (Anglaaere et al 2011;Cerdán et al 2012).…”

“…This is unfortunate because cocoa farmers obtain timber, fruits and other valuable goods from shade trees to sustain their livelihoods and to better resist shocks such as decreasing and/or fluctuating cocoa prices in (FAO 2014) international markets, or pest and diseases outbreaks (Bentley et al 2004;Cerda et al 2014;Duguma et al 2001). A botanically diverse and ecologically complex shade canopy also has positive impacts on the conservation of biological diversity at both plot and landscape levels , carbon sequestration Saj et al 2013;, and provision of other ecosystem services (Anglaaere et al 2011;Smith Dumont et al 2014).…”

Exploring a Novel Agricultural Subsidy Model with Sustainable Development: A Chinese Agribusiness in Liaoning Province

“…Although farmers are considered a low-income group in the Chinese context, certain farmers have their own opinions about [43,44] and reactions to government subsidy policy. This study does not examine that issue but rather explores a novel model for enhancing farmers' income.…”