Tree diversity in agroforestry systems of native fine-aroma cacao, Amazonas, Peru

PLoS One. 2022 Oct 13;17(10):e0275994. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275994. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Cocoa cultivation is of considerable economic and social importance to the Amazonas region and is commonly associated with forest species in the region. However, the diversification level and composition of cacao agroforestry systems in Peru are poorly understood. The objective of this study is, therefore, to describe the diversity of tree species in cocoa AFS by plantation age. Accordingly, the number of species of 15 plots covering a total of 1.5 hectares was recorded. Moderately low levels of tree species diversity were reported (H´ ranged 0.89-1.45). In total 17 species were reported throughout the study area. The most abundant botanical family was represented by a single Musa sp. species. The dissimilarity indices show a moderate similarity between the age ranges evaluated (over 62%). Additionally, the IVI indicates that the most important species are used for food and timber apart from providing shade, additionally major of this species are introduced intentionally for the farmers. Based on the observations, it may be concluded that the farmer's interest in obtaining further benefits from the plot, mostly economic benefits affect the diversification of cocoa agroforestry systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture
  • Cacao*
  • Forestry
  • Odorants
  • Peru
  • Trees*

Grants and funding

The authors thank the Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico, Tecnológico y de Innovación Tecnológica (FONDECYT) for funding this research through the Contract N° 026-2016 of the "Círculo de Investigación para la Innovación y el fortalecimiento de la cadena de valor del cacao nativo fino de aroma en la zona nor oriental del Perú-CINCACAO" project, executed by the Instituto de Investigación para el Desarrollo Sustentable de Ceja de Selva (INDES – CES), de la Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.