Traditional Agroforestry Systems Research Articles

Traditional Agroforestry Ecosystem for Rural Prosperity

Pursuance of prosperity has always been the aim of rural development program. A strategy to vitalizing rural economy to ensure equitability is achieved through optimal utilization of local resources. It is an inclusive approach, widely implemented which also applied in Indonesia. In order to examine the concept, a qualitative study was conducted in Sumba Barat Daya in East Nusa Tenggara Province, in which agriculture is the leading sector of regional development. Assessment is focussed toward the potency of natural resource, specifically traditional agroforestry system, producing variety of estate crops which are sold in local, regional and international market as well. Representing different type of market system, assessment on cashew and coffee crops were discussed. The analysis indicates that potency to achieve prosperity seems more promising when the strategy implemented is local driven. We encounter that farming activity in managing coffee based agroforestry generates local innovation, not just in ecosystem management, but also in post harvest handling and local market system establishment. Therefore, management of coffee agroforestry leads better to inclusivity in comparison with cashew. However, to ensure sustainable support of traditional agroforestry ecosystem to rural livelihood, understanding socio-ecological dynamics of rural Sumba should be acquired in order to generate supportive relevant policies.. yamu,to,

Productivity of Capsicum annuum under Grewia optiva-Based traditional agroforestry system in mid hill zone of Himachal Pradesh (India)

Agroforestry is relatively a new name for a set of old practices. The multifarious trees deliberately retained by the farmers on the farm bund form the agroforestry combinations, which supplement the fodder, fuel, fiber, fruits and flosses as their life support system. Grewia optiva is an important fodder tree retained on farm bunds by farmers in Western Himalayan region. The present investigation was aimed to study the effect of G. optiva based traditional agroforestry system i.e. agri-silviculture, on the productivity of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum). The crown spread of tree was considered major factor and categorized into different classes for quantifying its effect on crop growth and production along radial transects from tree trunk. Results revealed that the crown classes significantly affected the yield of bell pepper causing about 33% reduction in yield under tree canopy as compared to the open condition.

CARACTERIZACIÓN DE UNIDADES DE PRODUCCIÓN CAMPESINA DE LA SIERRA DE HUAUTLA, MORELOS, MÉXICO

<p>The study of traditional agroforestry systems has been relevant worldwide, because they are strategies that farmers have adopted in the management of natural resources. The objective of this work was to carry out a stratification of the production units of the silvopastoral system in the Sierra de Huautla Biosphere Reserve in order to characterize the level of resources available to the different types of production units. The total of peasant production units (UPC) analyzed were 3351 in the 31 localities of the reserve. A cluster analysis was carried out for the construction of the categories, accompanied by an ANAVA. The delimitation of the variables was made based on the concept of peasant livestock; the selection was through a correlation analysis. Five groups were determined, which present statistical differences. The amount of livestock is the main variable to delimit the groups. It was found that group I lacks cattle, in II they have nine heads on average, group III has 12 heads, in group IV they have 44 heads and in group V they have 225 heads. The livestock identity, agroclimatic conditions, capitalization of the UPC, origin of the work force and land surface are qualitative and quantitative elements that determined the groups. It is concluded that the characterization of the groups, can contribute to the construction of differentiated policies to put together development proposals for the communities of the reserve, because they represent the reality of a rural livestock that seeks survival in a situation of agricultural policy that currently does not it favors him.</p>

Assessment of the Diverse Roles of Home Gardens and Their Sustainable Management for Livelihood Improvement in West Java, Indonesia

Home garden is a traditional agroforestry system, which is an ecologically and socio-economically sustainable land use system in West Java, Indonesia. It plays a fundamental role in providing subsistence food and income to local people through a multi-strata structure. Despite the importance of the home garden, which is strongly linked with quality of living, there is still a lack of quantitative data and information. Therefore, we quantified the economic and ecological characteristics of home gardens in the present study to evaluate their diverse roles. In addition, general strategies that are applicable to home gardens in West Java were developed for sustainable management. The results of this study indicated that: (1) large landholding size showed a significantly higher Net Present Value (NPV) than small landholding size when the home gardens were dominated by fruit tree species, (2) species richness, species diversity, and carbon stock did not differ significantly among the different types and sizes of home gardens in West Java, and (3) multi-layered and diverse species composition is considerable for sustainable management of home gardens in terms of income generation and against urbanization and commercialization in West Java, Indonesia. Further studies should be considered for developing a standardized and generalized model that is able to evaluate and quantify the various ecosystem values that are generally acceptable and applicable in rural areas.

Crop-diversification and organic management increase the energy efficiency of cacao plantations

The increasing global demand for chocolate and related products has intensified their production systems by both replacing traditional agroforestry systems with monocultures and increasing the use of synthetic external inputs and machinery. High dependence on non-renewable energy is a clear symptom of unsustainability in food production systems. Consequently, more sustainable agricultural practices should be promoted. With a special focus on non-renewable energy, this work compares: i) the cumulate energy demand (CED), ii) energy return on investment (EROI), and iii) energy return on labour of four different cacao production systems: two agroforestry systems and two monocultures under organic and conventional management. Cacao and subproduct yields and the use of labour and external inputs were recorded during the first five years after the establishment of the trial in Bolivia. Results show that CED per hectare was almost 2-fold higher in monocultures than in agroforestry systems. With regard to the kilograms of cacao produced, the higher number of inputs used in monocultures was compensated by a higher cacao output. However, when subproducts were also taken into account, non-renewable CED was 7.4times higher in monocultures, and non-renewable EROI increased up to 4.8times in agroforestry systems compared to monocultures. Under organic management, less than 10% of CED was from non-renewable sources, while it reached 75% in conventional systems. Non-renewable EROI was higher under organic management, both when only cacao was considered and when subproducts were also included. Productivity per hour worked and per energy unit of labour invested were both higher in agroforestry systems than in monocultures. In conclusion, diversification of production and organic management are crucial to increase EROI and diminish dependence on non-renewable energy sources of cacao plantations.

Distribución de Vanilla planifolia Jacks. ex Andrews y acciones para su conservación en la Huasteca Potosina

La vainilla (Vanilla planifolia) es una de las orquídeas más ampliamente utilizada desde la época precolombina, actualmente, su estatus de conservación corresponde a la categoría de Sujeta a Protección Especial. Los objetivos de esta investigación fueron identificar su distribución actual y potencial en la Huasteca Potosina; y diseñar acciones para su conservación. Para ello, se realizaron consultas en herbarios, recorridos de campo, entrevistas con los productores de vainilla y talleres participativos con habitantes locales. Se llevó a cabo un análisis espacial basado en sistemas de información geográfica, para conocer las características ambientales de los sitios con presencia de la especie y se modelizó su distribución potencial. En la Huasteca Potosina, se ubicaron 28 sitios con presencia del taxón bajo estudio, la mayoría en sistemas agroforestales tradicionales y, menor proporción, en los relictos de selva mediana que aún persisten en la región, anclados a los tutores que les proveen el soporte necesario. Su distribución potencial se estimó en 85.5 km2. El germoplasma sin procesos de domesticación y adaptado a las condiciones ambientales que se identificaron, tiene posibilidades de ser conservado. Los poseedores de este recurso genético consideran que una Unidad de Manejo de la Vida Silvestre sería la forma más adecuada para lograr su conservación in situ.

Diversity of soil macro-arthropods correlates to the richness of plant species in traditional agroforestry systems in the humid tropics of Mexico

A change in land use from forest to livestock and agriculture is generally linked to a potentially devastating effect on communities of flora and fauna. Tabasco is a state with the highest deforestation rate in the humid tropics of Mexico; more than 66% of its territory is currently occupied by livestock farming. Here, we evaluated the diversity of soil macro-arthropods and plant species richness in eight different, traditional agroforestry systems (AFS): family garden (FG), shade trees in plantations (ShTP), scattered trees in pastures (ScTP), living fences (LF), alley farming (AF), taungya systems (TG), slash and burn agriculture (SBA) and grazing plantations (GP). First, we recorded the biophysical information of the AFS, age and management of the system, richness of the plant community, and other general characteristics. Then, we collected of macro-arthropods in 49 plots of land in five sub-regions of Tabasco. We established ten pitfall traps in each plot during the dry season (March–May 2009). To compare the diversity of soil macro-arthropods among the AFS, we computed the species accumulation curves and calculated the diversity indexes. We found that the total plant richness varied among the AFS and ordered as FG (108), ShTP (106), ScTP (32), LF (38), AF (30), TG (16), SBA (0) and GP (2). We collected 42,269 individuals of arthropods, belonging to 15 orders in the eight AFS. The most abundant orders were Hymenoptera and Coleoptera, while the least abundant was Dermaptera. The SBA, FG, ShTP, and ScTP systems presented the higher diversity of macro-arthropods as shown by Shannon-Wiener index (H’) values. We also found a significant positive correlation (rs = 0.84) between macro-arthropod order diversity (H’) and plant species richness in the most common AFS. The study showed that the AFS with greater plant species richness are important agricultural production strategies that increase the diversity and conservation of soil macro-arthropods.

Comparison of carbon footprint of traditional agroforestry systems under rainfed and irrigated ecosystems

Untenable expansion of cultivated lands and intensive agriculture accentuating the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere are warranting need for effective strategies to reduce the emission of green house gases associated with land use. Tree-based land use system has been emphasized as an effective strategy across ecological regions and farming situations as the most effective farmer-friendly technology limiting GHGs emission. The present study, therefore, was aimed to assess footprint and the annual fluxes of C in different traditional agroforestry systems in contrasting ecosystems to seek a way forward to mitigate climate change. The study revealed higher net C gain in rainfed ecosystem in agricultural system (3925.85 kg CE ha−1) followed by agroforestry systems with trees grown on the boundary (3868.03 kg CE ha−1) followed by trees scattered on farm land (3763.78 kg CE ha−1) and on field bunds (3752.53 kg CE ha−1). However, higher C sustainability index was with scattered planting of trees (30.35) followed by boundary planting (30.31), bund planting (29.54) and agricultural system (26.96). In irrigated ecosystem, higher C gain was in boundary planting of trees (6579.46 kg CE ha−1) followed by silvihorti (6539.96 kg CE ha−1) and bund planting (6051.59 kg CE ha−1), but was the lowest in crops alone (5850.46 kg CE ha−1) and in tree blocks (5121.59 kg CE ha−1). However, higher C sustainability index occurred with block plantation (537.28) followed by boundary planting (40.99), bund planting (37.15), agricultural system (36.56) and silvihorti system (18.58). Further, it was observed that among the inputs used chemical fertilizers contributed more towards GHGs emission in both the ecosystems (76% of the total emission). In the contrasting ecosystems, bund and boundary planting agroforestry systems were more sustainable in terms C efficiency and offered better food security unlike block plantation, and partial substitution of chemical fertilizer helped reduce C emission. Overall, the agroforestry land use systems proved highly sustainable on long-term basis and hence need promotion.

Agroselvicoltura ed intensificazione ecologica

Abstract: The agricultural and forestry sectors are currently facing the dramatic trilemma of producing food, energy and wood for a growing world population, while preserving the environment at the same time. Agroforestry systems are able to address those issues by integrating crops and/or grazing animals with woody perennials on the same land unit, which results in ecological intensification of productivity and higher and synergic use efficiency of natural resources and cultural inputs. In Italy, there is a long tradition of agroforestry systems, but the modernization of agriculture and society has led to a great reduction in their adoption. Both the residual traditional agroforestry systems (about 1.4 million ha) and the modern ones currently studied, can contribute to food and wood security, while significantly maintaining the most relevant local and global ecosystem services (soil erosion, phytoremediation, biodiversity, carbon sequestration) in the current context of climate change.

Structure, diversity and utilization of plant species in tribal homegardens of Kerala, India

Homegardens in traditional agroforestry systems are considered as sustainable production system with multiple functions. Indigenous knowledge of tribal communities associated with their homegardens always contributes in food security and biodiversity conservation. The present study aims at understanding the structural and floristic diversity of the homegardens, and utilization of plant species by the tribal communities in the Attappady valley of Kerala, India. Overall 104 homegardens were sampled randomly for assessing the diversity and the usage of various plant species. Data on indigenous knowledge was collected from tribal owners. Structurally, two types of homegardens were identified from the study area, which characterized by two and four layered vertical canopy strata. A total of 182 plant species belonging to 160 genera and 67 families were recorded from the sample homegardens. Comparing the diversity and distribution of plant species among the three communities, highest was found in the homegardens of Mudugas who are inhabiting the high and medium rainfall zones (Shannon diversity index 2.18) and observed its lowest value in the low rainfall zone where Irula communities live (Shannon diversity index 1.45). The homegardens of the study area has rich diversity and home for many useful plants. Considering the usage, 39% were edible, 24% were ornamental and 25% were medicinal. Hence the study indicates that the tribal homegardens are contributing considerably to food security and livelihoods of tribal communities in the Attappady valley.

Contrasting Species Diversity and Values in Home Gardens and Traditional Parkland Agroforestry Systems in Ethiopian Sub-Humid Lowlands

Understanding the complex diversity of species and their potential uses in traditional agroforestry systems is crucial for enhancing the productivity of tropical systems and ensuring the sustainability of the natural resource base. The aim of this study is the evaluation of the role of home gardens and parklands, which are prominent tropical agroforestry systems, in the conservation and management of biodiversity. Our study quantified and compared the diversity of woody and herbaceous perennial species and their uses in traditional home gardens and parkland agroforestry systems under a sub-humid climate in western Ethiopia. A sociological survey of 130 household respondents revealed 14 different uses of the species, mostly for shade, fuelwood, food, and as traditional medicine. Vegetation inventory showed that the Fisher’s α diversity index and species richness were significantly higher in home gardens (Fisher’s α = 5.28 ± 0.35) than in parklands (Fisher’s α = 1.62 ± 0.18). Both systems were significantly different in species composition (Sørenson’s similarity coefficient = 35%). The differences occurred primarily because of the high intensity of management and the cultivation of exotic tree species in the home gardens, whereas parklands harbored mostly native flora owing to the deliberate retention and assisted regeneration by farmers. In home gardens, Mangifera indica L. was the most important woody species, followed by Cordia africana Lam. and Coffea arabica L. On the other hand, Syzygium guineense Wall. was the most important species in parklands, followed by C. africana and M. indica. The species diversity of agroforestry practices must be further augmented with both indigenous and useful, non-invasive exotic woody and herbaceous species, particularly in parklands that showed lower than expected species diversity compared to home-gardens.

Land use and land cover change detection using geospatial techniques in the Sikkim Himalaya, India

Mapping and monitoring of land use land cover (LULC) changes in the Himalayas is vital for sustainable development, planning and management. Based on remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) techniques, the study is an attempt to monitor the changes in LULC patterns of Rani Khola watershed of Sikkim Himalaya for the periods 1988–1996, 1996–2008 and 2008–2017. Images from Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper (TM) and Sentinel 2A (Multispectral Instrument) MSI data were used to extract land cover maps. Supervised classification using Maximum Likelihood Classifier (MLC) was applied to prepare LULC maps of the watershed. The accuracy of the classified map was assessed using a High Resolution Planet scope image and ground realities have been verified and ascertained through field observations and site specific interviews. As a result of policy changes and traditional agroforestry systems, LULC in the study watershed has undergone a series of complicated changes over the past three decades. Six major LULC classes viz; agriculture, barren land, built-up area, dense forest, open forests and water bodies have been identified and indicate that major land use in the watershed is forestry. Results shows, dense forest, built-up area and water bodies have increased by 16.40% (41.76 km2), 2.13% (5.41 km2) and 0.11% (0.28 km2) while open forest, agriculture and barren land have decreased by −13.98% (−35.59 km2), 2.83% (−7.22 km2) and −1.82% (0.4.64 km2) respectively. The analysis and findings of the study highlights important policy implications for the sustainable LULC management in the Rani Khola watershed of the Sikkim Himalaya.

Microclimate regulation efficiency of the rural homegarden agroforestry system in the Western Sichuan Plain, China

Traditional rural homegarden agroforestry systems (referred to as homegarden) in the Western Sichuan Plain of China are often referred to as “Linpan” in Chinese. These homegardens are usually composed of farm houses, trees, bamboos, and small patches of land for flowers, fruits and vegetables. Over the Western Sichuan Plain’s area of approximately 18,800 km2, there were more than 200,000 homegardens, accommodating 72.5% of the region’s rural population. As a unique local, cultural, and ecological resource, homegardens continuously support peasant households with provisioning, regulation, and landscape ecosystem services. This study combined low height remote sensing used unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photography, field investigation, and instrument monitoring. We try to identify the composition and structural characteristics of homegardens, as well as climatic regulation effects of the different types of homegardens. Temperature data were collected both for summer (June to August 2016) and winter (December 2016 to February 2017). The result shows that: (1) the average area of homegardens was 0.67ha (sizes ranging from 0.16ha to 1.24ha), and with vegetation coverage 43.5%-76.9% (including 310 plant species). (2)In comparision with outside the homegardens, the average temperature inside the homegardens was significantly lower in summer (approximately 0.31 °C -0.90°C). Although, the lowest summer temperature was differentiatee in between 13:30-16:00. Especially, the thermal effects of the home gardens were ranged from 2.00°C-2.65°C at high temperatures (≥30°C). (3) The cooling effect of homegardens were positively correlated (p X4>X5>X2>X1. (4)This study indicates the major role of homegardens for climate regulation and energy efficiency, providing suggestions for homegarden transformation and construction planning for new rural communities.

Value Chain Analysis of Pineapple (Ananas Comosus) Production and Marketing from Traditional Agroforestry System, Southern Ethiopia

Southern Ethiopia is known with favorable environment for pineapple, coffee and many other horticultural crop Production. However, the practice has been facing a number of production and marketing constraints. The aim of the present study was therefore; identifying the value chain actors and their roles, mapping the value chain of pineapple production and marketing, and examining the determinants of market supply. Using purposive sampling technique, 105 households were selected from three representative peasant associations for in depth survey. Both primary and secondary data was collected using a combination of PRA tools. Descriptive statistics and econometric analysis using Ordinary Least Square (OLS) were used to analyze the collected data. The result revealed that both primary and secondary actors were involved in pineapple production and marketing. The percentage of market margin for producer, assembler, whole seller, retailer and processor actors were 9.41, 11.86, 18.33, 26.96 and 33.43%, respectively. Producer (34.20%), assembler (3.30%), whole seller (17.39%), retailer (26.78%) and processor (18.33%) were sharing percentage of profit margin in pineapple production. The result of the OLS regression analysis model indicated that market supply of pineapple was affected by wealthy status and duration of storage (p<0.05) and price (p<0.01), positively. Enhancing the local actors’ capacity through training, providing price and market information, credit and other processing facilities and institutional support could result in increasing production and steady supply of the pineapple products. Keywords: actors, pineapple producers, profit margin, value chain DOI : 10.7176/FSQM/84-01

English

Woody species are the major components of traditional agroforestry systems. These species vary across the different types of agroforestry practices in different parts of Ethiopia. This study was conducted to assess woody species across land use in three different sites around Jimma town, Southwest Ethiopia. A total of 100 plots were laid out on six transect lines with sample plot size of 25 m &times; 25 m for 20 plots of homegarden, 19 plots of coffee farm and 20 plot of grazing land, 40 m &times; 40 m for 24 plots of crop field and 10 m &times; 10 m for 17 plots of woodlots and were calculated in hectares. Species diversity, richness, evenness, density and frequency were analyzed between land uses types and sites. The result showed that a total of 60 woody species belonging to 34 families and 54 genera were identified from these three sites. Fabaceae was the most dominant family with 11 (18.3%) species followed by Euphorbiaceae family with 7 (11.7%) species. Out of the identified species, 53.3% were trees, 45% shrubs and 1.67% climbers. In terms of species diversity, grazing lands (3.1) were more diversified than homegardens (2.87), crop field (2.555), coffee farm (0.667) and woodlots (0.643) in the overall study sites. In terms of tree and shrubs density, woodlots were the most dense (9495 stems/ha). Generally, agroforestry systems are conserving several woody species diversity in their systems and woody species varied among land use types in the study area. Practices which aimed at maintaining these woody species should be encouraged and applied to support the conservation of these species in agroforestry systems. &nbsp; Key words: Agroforestry system, woody species, homegardens, crop field, grazing land, coffee farm, Jimma.

Agroforestry Systems of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley: Land Use for Biocultural Diversity Conservation

The Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, Mexico, is the semiarid region with the richest biodiversity of North America and was recently recognized as a UNESCO’s World Heritage site. Original agricultural practices remain to this day in agroforestry systems (AFS), which are expressions of high biocultural diversity. However, local people and researchers perceive a progressive decline both in natural ecosystems and AFS. To assess changes in location and extent of agricultural land use, we carried out a visual interpretation of very-high resolution imagery and field work, through which we identified AFS and conventional agricultural systems (CAS) from 1995 to 2003 and 2012. We analyzed five communities, representative of three main ecological and agricultural zones of the region. We assessed agricultural land use changes in relation to conspicuous landscape features (relief, rivers, roads, and human settlements). We found that natural ecosystems cover more than 85% of the territory in each community, and AFS represent 51% of all agricultural land. Establishment and permanence of agricultural lands were strongly influenced by gentle slopes and the existence of roads. Contrary to what we expected, we recorded agricultural areas being abandoned, thus favoring the regeneration of natural ecosystems, as well as a 9% increase of AFS over CAS. Agriculture is concentrated near human settlements. Most of the studied territories are meant to preserve natural ecosystems, and traditional AFS practices are being recovered for biocultural conservation.

Traditional agroforestry systems and biodiversity conservation

A survey was made to assess the biodiversity in traditional based agroforestry systems under rainfed agroecological situation in north eastern part of Karnataka, India and 27 tree species belonging to 15 families were recorded. Fabaceae was found to be the predominant family accounting for 11 species followed by Meliaceae and Rutaceae with 2 species each while other families had one species each. However, higher tree density per hectare was observed in Azadiractha indica (19.71) belonging to Meliaceae. Among the 27 species Sandal wood and Stain wood were listed in IUCN red list as threatened species. The highest number of families and species were observed in Koppal (11 and 20, respectively) closely followed by Yadgir district (10 and 20, respectively) while lower number of plant families and species were observed in Bidar district (6 and 11, respectively). Most of the species were used for timber (55.56%) purpose followed by fodder (48.15%), while 7.1 per cent were maintained for religious reasons.

Madhuca indica J.F. Gmel: A multipurpose tree of traditional agroforestry systems of Bundelkhand

Madhuca indica J.F. Gmel. (mahua) tree is also known as tree of poor because it fulfills many requirements of poor people of rural landscape. It is also known as reward of nature to poor/tribal communities because the survival of tribal communities still depends on different non-timber forest products (NTFP) obtained from Mahua. It is a multipurpose tree of traditional agroforestry systems of Bundelkhand. It has been one of the major sources of food for poor communities living in rural areas.The Mahua tree produce a variety of NTFP namely flower, seed, seed oil, seed cake, leaves, stem bark etc. The present study was carried out to explore multiple uses of mahua products and its role in rural life of the poor communities of the Mawai Bujurg, Banda Uttar Pradesh. We conducted survey of Mawai Bujurg and collected information related to different products of mahua other than wood. We recorded that the dried flowers are used in preparation of mahuasharvat a local drink for some special occasion. The dried flowers also used after boiling with sattu in rheumatism, to get relieve from the pain; whereas some people also prepare “Mahudi” a local vine by fermenting the dried flowers.The green leaves are also used during worship on festivals and marriage ceremony. The bark is a rich source of protein, therefore, the dried bark is boiled with tea and consumed. Other than providing protein the bark is also cures some diseases viz., diarrhea, tonsillitis, leprosy etc. Seeds are also eaten and edible seed oil called Butter or Ghee and used for cooking purposes.

Effects of five Lacandon Maya agroforestry trees on soil nematode trophic group composition

The Lacandon Maya have managed their lands in Chiapas, Mexico for hundreds of years without long-term soil degradation by applying their traditional swidden agroforestry system. Lacandon land managers plant and care for a number of tree species during the fallow period in part to facilitate natural succession and enhance soil fertility. We evaluated the effects of five of these species (Poulsenia armata, Cedrela odorata, Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Swietenia macrophylla, and Lonchocarpus guatemalensis) on soil-dwelling nematodes, which play an important role in biogeochemical cycling. Only L. guatemalensis had a significant effect on the population of plant parasitic nematodes relative to the total nematode population, which demonstrates its potential utility in reducing pressures on plant growth and facilitating the regeneration of vegetation in secondary forests. In general, larger diameter trees tended to support larger nematode populations in nearby soils, possibly due to organic matter enrichment. Bacterivorous nematodes dominated the nematode community throughout succession, as is typical in agroecosystems with regular organic matter enrichment. However, counter to expectations, bacterivorous nematode dominance did not appear to be directly related to organic matter deposition in Lacandon agroforests. Nematode trophic group populations changed over time in secondary Lacandon agroforests, alternating between elevated and low populations in successive Lacandon agroforestry management stages. Our results demonstrate that the effects these trees have on soil fertility are likely species-specific and not necessarily a function of altering surrounding nematode communities. The inconclusiveness of our findings underscores the challenge of discriminating the individual species’ effects in the context of the agroforestry systems of which they are a part, particularly with regard to highly variable soil microfauna communities.

Species richness, cultural importance, and prioritization of wild spices for conservation in the Sudano-Guinean zone of Benin (West Africa)

BackgroundSpices have always been used for their flavor-enhancement characteristics and for their medicinal properties. In Benin, scientific research on spices is scarce, despite their importance in the local population’s daily needs. This study investigated the diversity of wild spices and documented the associated traditional knowledge that can be used for their valuation, domestication, and sustainable management in the Sudano-Guinean Zone of Benin.MethodsData were collected during field expeditions using semi-structured interviews in ten localities across the three phytodistricts of the zone. Species richness and Shannon’s diversity index were estimated using species accumulation curves. Use report (UR), cultural importance, use value (UV) index, and informant consensus factor (Fic) were used to assess traditional knowledge on wild species, their local importance, and informants’ agreement among sociolinguistic groups. Priority wild spices were finally identified using an approach combining eight criteria (native status, economic value, ethnobotanical value, global distribution, national distribution, in-situ and ex-situ conservation status, legislation, and threats assessment) in four prioritization methods (point scoring procedure, point scoring procedure with weighting, compound ranking system, and binomial ranking system).ResultsA total of 14 species, belonging to 12 genera and 9 families, were inventoried. The most prominent families were Zingiberaceae (21.43%), Annonaceae (21.43%), and Rutaceae (14.29%). More than 200 specific uses were reported, with the Tchabè people holding the greatest level of knowledge (70 uses; UR = 5.70 ± 0.33). The culturally most important spices differed among sociolinguistic groups. Most of the informants agree on the use of the species among (Fic = 0.72–0.98) and across the considered use categories (Fic = 0.88–0.99). The highest UV were registered for Aframomum alboviolaceum (UV = 0.93), Lippia multiflora (UV = 0.76), and Aframomum angustifolium (UV = 0.18). Overall, people perceived wild spices as declining due to agriculture, grazing, and drought. Five species, A. alboviolaceum, L. multiflora, Monodora tenuifolia, Xylopia aethiopica, and Z. zanthoxyloides, were the most prioritized for conservation.ConclusionsThis study provides information relevant for the implementation of conservation and domestication actions of wild spices in Benin. Priority species could be integrated into traditional agroforestry systems (e.g., home gardens). However, for this to be effective, further research should be undertaken on morphological and genetic diversity and propagation methods of priority wild spices.