Woody biodiversity conservation and provision of ecosystem services in a traditional cocoa agroforest

Abstract

This study was carried out in Cocoa Agroforest (CAF) in the forest-savanna transition zone in the Central Region of Cameroon. The general objective was to assess the role of CAF in biodiversity conservation and the provision of certain ecosystem services. The methodological approach combined a floristic inventory in 25 m × 25 m quadrats (625 m²), the collection of soil samples to a depth of 30 cm per quadrat, carbon stocks estimation of different carbon pools (above and below ground, soil carbon, herbaceous, litter, fine roots and dead wood) and providing ecosystem service identified thought socio-economic surveys. The results identified 29 associated species with Theobroma cacao belonging to 30 genera in 19 families. Eight associated species were vulnerable and two were near threatened as per the IUCN red list classification. Most of the trees that the cocoa farmers allow in their farms in the study areas serve various livelihood purposes, with 16% used as timber (Ti), 12% for food (Fo), 13% for firewood (Fw), 44% are medicinal (Md), 2% for Shading (Sh) or 12% for Art and craft (Ac). The total carbon stock of the CAF was estimated at 207.92 MgC ha⁻¹_, representing an equivalent of 6549.48 USD ha⁻¹. The present study has demonstrated the role of CAF systems in biodiversity conservation, provision of ecosystem goods and services and climate and soil regulation. Cocoa agroforests system can be considered as alternatives to slash-and-burn agriculture in forest-savanna transition zones in the REDD + context.