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Variability in forest tree species composition and diversity in different aged cocoa agroforests of Ghana

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Abstract

Cocoa agroforestry system is a form of permanent agriculture where cocoa grows in association with different tree species. This study assessed forest trees assemblages in six aged cocoa agroforests (CAFs). Trees were inventoried on 88 CAF plots (25 × 25 m) of aged 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years. MacArthur Broken Stick model, Chao-1 estimates, and Hill numbers were used to quantify tree assemblages. Analysis of similarity was performed to compare species composition of assemblages. A total of 268 trees comprising 33 species and 14 families were identified in the six aged CAFs. No consistent patterns were observed for forest trees assemblages as farms aged from 5 to 30 years. Species composition and abundance distribution were similar among the CAFs. Terminalia superba (n = 58) was the most abundant forest tree species across the six CAFs. The 25-year-old CAF was the highest in species richness, while the 10-year-old was the most diverse (qD = 2.84). The inconsistent patterns for forest trees assemblages in the six CAFs highlight the influence of farm management activities during cocoa farm establishment. The presence of valuable forest tree species (e.g., Cola gigantea, Triplochiton scleroxylon, and Enthandrophragma cylindricum) underscores the importance of sustaining good management practices, especially in older cocoa agroforests.

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The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the Forest Services Division of Ghana, Bibiani District, for facilitating our access to the study communities during the field data collection.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forest Resources Technology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

    Samuel Boadi, Collins Ayine Nsor, Emmanuel Acquah, Christable Hammond & Nat Owusu-Prempeh

  2. Department of Wildlife and Range Management, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

    Rockson Acolatse

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  1. Samuel Boadi
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  2. Collins Ayine Nsor
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Contributions

The study conception and designed as well as the first draft of the manuscript was done by SB and CH. Data collection was done by CH and RA. The map of the study area was produced by RA. The data analyses and presentation of results was done CAN and EA. EA, CAN, NO-P and SB reviewed the first and subsequent drafts of the manuscript. All authors reviewed the final draft of the manuscript before submission.

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Correspondence to Samuel Boadi.

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Boadi, S., Nsor, C.A., Acquah, E. et al. Variability in forest tree species composition and diversity in different aged cocoa agroforests of Ghana. Agroforest Syst 98, 255–268 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-023-00903-6

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