Tree diversity in a tropical agricultural-forest mosaic landscape in Honduras

Abstract

Biodiversity decline in the tropics requires the implementation of comprehensive landscape management where agricultural systems are necessarily an integral element of biodiversity conservation. This study evaluates the potential for taxonomic biodiversity conservation within an intensive livestock-agricultural-forest mosaic landscape in Catacamas, Honduras. Tree sampling was performed in 448 plots set up within different forest and agricultural land uses: secondary forests, agroforestry coffee plantations, agriculture, pastures, live fences and riparian forest. All trees with a minimum diameter at breast height of 10 cm were identified and measured. We characterized their tree structure and diversity, and compared tree diversity between the different uses. The results indicate a high degree of tree species diversity: 375 species identified, belonging to 74 families among the 15,096 trees inventoried across 84.2 hectares, including many rare species (40% of the species registered three individuals or fewer). Biodiversity indices for agroforestry coffee were found equivalent to those for natural secondary forests in the Catacamas landscape. Combining biodiversity conservation and agricultural production is possible in human-pressured tropical landscapes through tree cover maintenance. Enrichment practices combining local producers and technical knowledge may improve tree diversity in agricultural landscapes by prioritizing a mix of forest and introduced tree species (rare and with multiple uses).

Plant Diversity and Conservation Role of Three Indigenous Agroforestry Systems of Southeastern Rift-Valley Landscapes, Ethiopia

“…Higher plant species richness than the studied AF systems was also recorded in different parts of the country as well as in other tropical countries: 55 woody species for traditional AF practices of Dellomenna district of south-eastern Ethiopia [68], 58 wood species for Gedeo Zone of southern Ethiopia [13], 65 for the coffee based agroforestry in the catacamas landscapes of Honduras [69], 70 woody species for Moneragala district in Sri Lanka [70], 83 species for Nicaragua, 100 species for Yem special district of southern Ethiopia [63], 104 species for Jimma Ganati District in Western Ethiopia [71], 105 woody species for cacao agroforests in San Alejandro, Peruvian Amazon [72], and 191 species for Sudanian Zone of Burkina Faso [73], 289 woody plants from sub-urban areas in Sri Lanka [74], and 459 tree and shrub species around Mt. Kenya in central and eastern Kenya [75].…”

Physio-edaphoclimatic factors show optimal soil suitability for three tropical crops in the Ecuadorian Amazon

“…One of the strategies is to incorporate live fences with timber trees such as palo cruz (Tabebuia nodosa Griseb), chontaduro (Bactris gasipaes Kunth), jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia D.Don), guabo (Inga edulis Mart), and peine de mono (Apeiba membranacea Spruce ex Benth), which are species that improve the physicalchemical and microbiological characteristics of the soil. These plant arrangements balance and improve soil drainage, contributing to the formation of several microclimates, important elements for the cattle not to suffer from thermal stress and to reduce the effects of climate change (Ngo Bieng et al, 2022). The best productive results were achieved by applying forage plant material, such as Flemingia, in the management and conditions applied in the EAR (Phelan et al, 2015).…”

Unlocking sustainable livestock production potential in the Colombian Amazon through paddock division and gender inclusivity

“…However, it is important to consider other factors that may have influenced these results, such as variations in market conditions, production practices 50 , or other economic factors. Broader benefits of SPS, include improved soil health, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience 51,52 , which contribute to the sustainable development of the Colombian Amazon region.…”