Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The role of cocoa agroforestry systems in conserving forest tree diversity in the Central region of Cameroon

  • Published:
Agroforestry Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper seeks to examine the contribution of cocoa-based agroforestry systems (CAFS) in the conservation of native tree species of nearby forests. The study was conducted in two sites in Mbankomo sub-division of Cameroon, where a field inventory was carried out in both land use systems in 26 sample plots of 30 × 30 m2 each, in 20 cocoa agroforest plots and six adjacent secondary forests plots. Tree diversity, composition and structure in the cocoa agroforests and secondary forests were characterized, α-diversity was evaluated and similarity/dissimilarity of species composition assessed using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). The results reveal that all the CAFS appear to conserve 46 % of forest tree species found in nearby forests. This may be justified by the multipurpose use of forest tree species during the implementation and the evolution of the CAFS on a spatial–temporal scale. CAFS harbored lower forest tree species diversity at the plot level compared to nearby forest stands meanwhile the non-parametric estimator suggested that both land uses conserve approximately the same species richness. Mean values for species richness, the Shannon and reciprocal Simpsons indices diversity, stem density and basal area were significantly higher in forests than in CAFS (p < 0.001). The NMDS showed a clear dissimilarity which was confirmed by the Rstatistic = 0.998 and p value = 0.009 of the analysis of similarities test between cocoa agroforests and forest stands. In conclusion, the results show that CAFS can serve as reservoirs for the conservation of forest tree species; this can be expanded if the issue of ownership of timber forest trees is addressed in the forest law.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amanor KS (1996) Managing trees in the farming system: the perspective of farmers, vol 1. Forest Farming Forestry Department, Kumasi

    Google Scholar 

  • Anglaaere LCN, Cobbina J, Sinclair FL, McDonald MA (2011) The effect of land use systems on tree diversity: farmer preference and species composition of cocoa-based agroecosystems in Ghana. Agrofor Syst 81:249–265. doi:10.1007/s10457-010-9366-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asare R (2005) Cocoa agroforests in West Africa: a look at activities on preferred trees in the farming systems. Forest & Landscape, Hørsholm

    Google Scholar 

  • Asare R (2006) A review on cocoa agroforestry as a means for biodiversity conservation. Paper presented at the World Cocoa Foundation Partnership conference, Landscape Fa, Brussels

  • Asare R, Afari-Sefa V, Osei-Owusu Y, Pabi O (2014) Cocoa agroforestry for increasing forest connectivity in a fragmented landscape in Ghana. Agrofor Syst 88:1143–1156. doi:10.1007/s10457-014-9688-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bisseleua DHB, Vidal S (2008) Plant biodiversity and vegetation structure in traditional cocoa forest gardens in southern Cameroon under different management. Biodivers Conserv 17:1821–1835. doi:10.1007/s10531-007-9276-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bobo SK, Waltert M, Sainge MN, Njokagbor J, Fermon H, Mühlenberg M (2006) From forest to farmland: species richness patterns of trees and understorey plants along a gradient of forest conversion in Southwestern Cameroon. Biodivers Conserv 15:4097–4117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burnham KP, Overton WS (1979) Robust estimation of population size when capture probabilities vary among animals. Ecology 60:927–936

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cerda R, Deheuvels O, Calvache D, Niehaus L, Saenz Y, Kent J, Vilchez S, Villota A, Martinez C, Somarriba E (2014) Contribution of cocoa agroforestry systems to family income and domestic consumption: looking toward intensification. Agrofor Syst 88:957–981. doi:10.1007/s10457-014-9691-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chao A (1984) Non-parametric estimation of the number of classes in a population. Scand J Statist 11:265–270

    Google Scholar 

  • Clough Y, Putra DD, Pitopang R, Tscharntke T (2009) Local and landscape factors determine functional bird diversity in Indonesian cacao agroforestry. Biol Conserv 142:1032–1041. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2008.12.027

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curtis JT, McIntosh RP (1951) An upland forest continuum in the prairie-forest border region of Wisconsin. Ecology 32:476–496

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deheuvels O, Rousseau GX, Quiroga GS, Franco MD, Cerda R, Mendoza SJV, Somarriba E (2014) Biodiversity is affected by changes in management intensity of cocoa-based agroforests. Agrofor Syst 88:1081–1099. doi:10.1007/s10457-014-9710-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duguma B, Gockowski J, Bakala J (2001) Smallholder cacao (Theobroma cacao Linn.) cultivation in agroforestry systems of West and Central Africa: challenges and opportunities. Agrofor Syst 51:177–188

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eyog Matig O, Ndoye O, Kengue J, Awono A (eds) (2006) Les fruitiers forestiers comestibles du Cameroun. Cotonou, IPGRI/SAFORGEN/IRAD/CIFOR

    Google Scholar 

  • Fox J (2005) The R commander: a basic statistics graphical user interface to R. J Stat Softw 14:1–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Gockowski J, Sonwa D (2011) Cocoa intensification scenarios and their predicted impact on CO2 emissions, biodiversity conservation, and rural livelihoods in the Guinea rain forest of West Africa. Environ Manag 48:307–321

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gockowski J, Onye J, Baker D, Legg C, Weise S, Ndoumbe M, Tiki-Manga T, Fouaguegue A (2004) Characterization and diagnosis of farming systems in the forest margins benchmark of Southern Cameroon. IITA Social Sciences Working Paper No 1 Ibadan

  • Gockowski J, Tonye J, Diaw C, Hause S, Kotto-Same J, Njomgang R, Moukam A, Nwaga D, Tiki-Manga T, Tondoh J, Tschondeau Z, Weise S, Zapfack L (2005) The forest margins of Cameroon. In: Palm CA, Vosti SA, Sanchez PA, Ericksen PJ (eds) Slashand-burn agriculture: the search for alternatives. Columbia University Press, New York, pp 305–331

    Google Scholar 

  • Gockowski J, Tchatat M, Dondjang JP, Hietet G, Fouda T (2010) An empirical analysis of the biodiversity and economic returns to cocoa agroforests in Southern Cameroon. J Sustain For 29:638–670. doi:10.1080/10549811003739486

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gockowski J, Afari-Sefa V, Sarpong DB, Osei-Asare YB, Agyeman NF (2013) Improving the productivity and income of Ghanaian cocoa farmers while maintaining environmental services: what role for certification? Int J Agric Sustain 11:331–346. doi:10.1080/14735903.2013.772714

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg R, Bichier P, Cruz Anglon A (2000) The conservation value for birds of cacao plantations with diverse planted shade in Tabacco, Mexico. Anim Conserv 3:105–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IUCN (2015) IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 11. http://www.iucnredlist.org/search

  • Jagoret P, Todem Ngogue H, Bouambi E, Battini JL, Nyassé S (2009) Diversification des exploitations agricoles à base de cacaoyer au Centre Cameroun: mythe ou réalité? Biotechnol Agron Soc Environ 13:271–280

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiofack T, Guedje NM, Tchoundjeu Z, Fokunang C, Lejoly J, Kemeuze V (2013) Agroforestry typology of some cocoa based agroforests in the Mbam and Inoubou division: the importance for local population livelihoods. J Ecol Nat Environ 5:378–386. doi:10.5897/JENE12.085

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kindt R, Coe R (2005) Tree diversity analysis. A manual and software for common statistical methods for ecological and biodiversity studies. World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Nairobi

    Google Scholar 

  • Kotto-Same J, Woomer PL, Moukam A, Zapfack L (1997) Carbon dynamics in slash-and-bum agriculture and land use alternatives of the humid forest zone in Cameroon. Agric Ecosyst Environ 65:245–256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laird SA, Leke Awung G, Lysinge RJ (2007) Cocoa farms in the Mount Cameroon region: biological and cultural diversity in local livelihoods. Biodivers Conserv 16:2401–2427

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leakey RRB, Tchoundjeu Z (2001) Diversification of tree crops: domestication of companion crops for poverty reduction and environmental services. Exp Agric 37:279–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Letouzey R (1985) Notice de la carte phytogéographique du Cameroun au 1/500.000. Institut de la carte internationale de la végétation, Toulouse

    Google Scholar 

  • Nair PKR (2012) Carbon sequestration studies in agroforestry systems: a reality-check. Agrofor Syst 86:243–253. doi:10.1007/s10457-011-9434-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oke DO, Odebiyi KA (2007) Traditional cocoa-based agroforestry and forest species conservation in Ondo State, Nigeria. Agric Ecosyst Environ 122:305–311

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Onana JM (2011) The vascular Plant of Cameroon a taxonomic checklist with UICN assessments. IRAD—National Herbarium of Cameroon, Yaounde

    Google Scholar 

  • Philpott S, Armbrecht I (2006) Biodiversity in tropical agroforests and the ecological role of ants and ant diversity in predatory function. Ecol Entomol 31:369–377

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R Core team (2014) R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna. http://www.R-project.org

  • Rolim SG, Ciarello AG (2004) Slow death of Atlantic forest trees in cocoa agroforestry in southeastern Brazil. Biodivers Conserv 13:2679–2694

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruf FO (2011) The myth of complex cocoa agroforests: the case of Ghana. Hum Ecol 39:373–388

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruf F, Zadi H (1998) Cocoa: from deforestation to reforestation. Paper from workshop on Shade Grown Cocoa held in Panama, Washington DC

  • Schulze CH, Waltert M, Kessler PJA, Pitopang R, Shahabuddin Veddeler D, Mühlenberg M, Gradstein RS, Leuschner C, Steffan-Dewenter I, Tscharntke T (2004) Biodiversity indicator groups of tropical landuse systems: comparing plants, birds, and insects. Ecol Appl 14:1321–1333

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Somarriba E, Cerda R, Orozco L, Cifuentes M, Dávila H, Espin T, Mavisoy H, Ávila G, Alvarado E, Poveda V, Astorga C, Say E, Deheuvels O (2013) Carbon stocks and cocoa yields in agroforestry systems of Central America. Agric Ecosyst Environ 173:46–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sonwa DJ, Weise SF, Tchatat M, Nkongmeneck BA, Adesina AA, Ndoye O, Gockowski J (2001) The role of cocoa agroforests in rural and community forestry in southern Cameroon. Rural Development Forestry Network, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Sonwa DJ, Nkongmeneck BA, Weise SF, Tchatat M, Adesina AA, Janssens MJJ (2007) Diversity of plants in cocoa agroforests in the humid forest zone of southern Cameroon. Biodivers Conserv 16:2385–2400

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sonwa DJ, Weise SF, Nkongmeneck BA, Tchatat M, Janssens MJJ (2009) Carbon stock in smallholder chocolate forest in southern Cameroon and potential role in climate change mitigation. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 6

  • Tscharntke T, Clough Y, Bhagwat SA, Buchori D, Faust H, Hertel D, Holscher D, Juhrbandt J, Kessler M, Perfecto I, Scherber C, Schroth G, Veldkamp E, Wanger TC (2011) Multifunctional shade-tree management in tropical agroforestry landscapes—a review. J Appl Ecol. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2664.2010.01939.x

    Google Scholar 

  • UNFCCC (2002) Report of the conference of the parties on its seventh session, held at Marrakesh from 29 October to 10 November 2001 (FCCC/CP/2001/13/Add.1, UNFCCC, Marrakesh, Morocco [WWW document]. http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/cop7/13a01.pdf. Accessed Apr 4, 2016

  • Vallerie M (1973) Contribution à l’étude des sols du Centre-Sud Cameroun: type de différenciation morphologique et pédogénétique sous climat sub équatorial. Zeitschrift für Pflanzenernährung und Bodenkunde, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Vivien J, Faure JJ (2011) Arbres des forêts denses d’Afrique Centrale. Ministère des Relations Extérieures, Coopération et Développement et Agence de Coopération Cuturelle et Technique, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilks C, Issembé Y (2000) Guide pratique d’identification: les arbres de la Guinée Equatoriale: Région continentale. Projet Curet Bata, Guinée Equatoriale, Prépresse Communications, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Zapfack L, Engwald S, Sonke B, Achoundong G, Madong BA (2002) The impact of land conversion on plant biodiversity in the forest zone of Cameroon. Biodivers Conserv 11:2047–2061

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thanks His Majesty, Chief Messa Pierre of Nkoltsit village, for all the facilities he provided during the field work. The authors also thank all the farmers of Nkoltsit and Ossa localities for their cooperation and hospitality during all the study period.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon

    Marguerite Marie Abada Mbolo, Jules Christian Zekeng, William Armand Mala, Jean Louis Fobane, Cedric Djomo Chimi,  Tangboulou Ngavounsia, Chichi Melanie Nyako, Laurent Florent Etoundi Menyene & Yuh Victor Tamanjong

  2. Department of Biology, Higher Teachers’ Training College, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 47, Yaounde, Cameroon

    Jean Louis Fobane

Authors
  1. Marguerite Marie Abada Mbolo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jules Christian Zekeng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. William Armand Mala
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jean Louis Fobane
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Cedric Djomo Chimi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Tangboulou Ngavounsia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Chichi Melanie Nyako
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Laurent Florent Etoundi Menyene
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Yuh Victor Tamanjong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jules Christian Zekeng.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Abada Mbolo, M.M., Zekeng, J.C., Mala, W.A. et al. The role of cocoa agroforestry systems in conserving forest tree diversity in the Central region of Cameroon. Agroforest Syst 90, 577–590 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-016-9945-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-016-9945-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation