Botanical diversity, structure and composition in cocoa agroforest systems in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala
The tree composition in cocoa agroforestry systems (CAFS) in Guatemala is valued for providing a number of ecosystem services. Despite the importance of the trees in these systems, little is known about the tree species richness and its contribution to the conservation of diversity. We studied the b...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Universidad Nacional de Trujillo
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Scientia Agropecuaria |
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| Online Access: | https://revistas.unitru.edu.pe/index.php/scientiaagrop/article/view/5064 |
| _version_ | 1797802458459668480 |
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| author | Carlos Enrique Villanueva-González José Alejandro Ruiz-Chután Marie Kalousova Roberto Waldemar Moya Fernandez Cristobal Villanueva Bohdan Lojka |
| author_facet | Carlos Enrique Villanueva-González José Alejandro Ruiz-Chután Marie Kalousova Roberto Waldemar Moya Fernandez Cristobal Villanueva Bohdan Lojka |
| author_sort | Carlos Enrique Villanueva-González |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The tree composition in cocoa agroforestry systems (CAFS) in Guatemala is valued for providing a number of ecosystem services. Despite the importance of the trees in these systems, little is known about the tree species richness and its contribution to the conservation of diversity. We studied the botanical composition of CAFS of different ages in the Alta Verapaz department of Guatemala. In total, 70 survey plots with a size of 2500 m2 were established. An inventory was carried out in each sampling unit, recording the tree species present and measuring the diameter at breast height (DBH 1.30 m) and the height of each tree. The Importance Value Index (IVI) was calculated and species richness and the similarity between sites were evaluated. A total of 2519 trees, belonging to 59 species and 34 families were identified. The species with the highest IVI was Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth. The CAFSs with the highest and lowest species richness were those of 9-12 and 27 years old, respectively (H´=1.99, H´=0.34). This behavior can be explained by the fact that growers work to enrich the agroforestry systems with a broad diversity of species in the first years which they then begin to harvest at around 16 years of age. A discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) and the Jaccard Similarity Index were used to show that several AFS were similar in terms of composition and botanical diversity. Given the tree diversity within the CAFS, these can be acknowledged as areas with good potential for the conservation of overall biodiversity. We recommend education programs for local growers about the benefits of shade management during the production cycle of cocoa to preserve the botanical composition and structural complexity of the AFS.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T05:06:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-670dc247526e4dd5a0f3298c39b0dbdc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-9917 2306-6741 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T05:06:49Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | Universidad Nacional de Trujillo |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientia Agropecuaria |
| spelling | doaj.art-670dc247526e4dd5a0f3298c39b0dbdc2023-06-16T12:39:44ZengUniversidad Nacional de TrujilloScientia Agropecuaria2077-99172306-67412023-06-0114210.17268/sci.agropecu.2023.020Botanical diversity, structure and composition in cocoa agroforest systems in Alta Verapaz, GuatemalaCarlos Enrique Villanueva-González0José Alejandro Ruiz-Chután1Marie Kalousova2Roberto Waldemar Moya Fernandez3Cristobal Villanueva4Bohdan Lojka5Department of Crop Sciences and Agroforestry, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129 165 00 Praha -Suchdol.Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Ciudad Universitaria Zona 12.Department of Crop Sciences and Agroforestry, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129 165 00 Praha -Suchdol.Facultad de Ciencias Ambientales y Agrícolas, Universidad Rafael Landívar, San Pedro Claver S.J. de la Verapaz Campus, San Juan Chamelco, Alta Verapaz.Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza, Turrialba, Cartago.Department of Crop Sciences and Agroforestry, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129 165 00 Praha -Suchdol.The tree composition in cocoa agroforestry systems (CAFS) in Guatemala is valued for providing a number of ecosystem services. Despite the importance of the trees in these systems, little is known about the tree species richness and its contribution to the conservation of diversity. We studied the botanical composition of CAFS of different ages in the Alta Verapaz department of Guatemala. In total, 70 survey plots with a size of 2500 m2 were established. An inventory was carried out in each sampling unit, recording the tree species present and measuring the diameter at breast height (DBH 1.30 m) and the height of each tree. The Importance Value Index (IVI) was calculated and species richness and the similarity between sites were evaluated. A total of 2519 trees, belonging to 59 species and 34 families were identified. The species with the highest IVI was Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth. The CAFSs with the highest and lowest species richness were those of 9-12 and 27 years old, respectively (H´=1.99, H´=0.34). This behavior can be explained by the fact that growers work to enrich the agroforestry systems with a broad diversity of species in the first years which they then begin to harvest at around 16 years of age. A discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) and the Jaccard Similarity Index were used to show that several AFS were similar in terms of composition and botanical diversity. Given the tree diversity within the CAFS, these can be acknowledged as areas with good potential for the conservation of overall biodiversity. We recommend education programs for local growers about the benefits of shade management during the production cycle of cocoa to preserve the botanical composition and structural complexity of the AFS. https://revistas.unitru.edu.pe/index.php/scientiaagrop/article/view/5064agroforest systemsspecies diversityspecies richnessbotanical compositionconservation of biodiversity |
| spellingShingle | Carlos Enrique Villanueva-González José Alejandro Ruiz-Chután Marie Kalousova Roberto Waldemar Moya Fernandez Cristobal Villanueva Bohdan Lojka Botanical diversity, structure and composition in cocoa agroforest systems in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala Scientia Agropecuaria agroforest systems species diversity species richness botanical composition conservation of biodiversity |
| title | Botanical diversity, structure and composition in cocoa agroforest systems in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala |
| title_full | Botanical diversity, structure and composition in cocoa agroforest systems in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala |
| title_fullStr | Botanical diversity, structure and composition in cocoa agroforest systems in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala |
| title_full_unstemmed | Botanical diversity, structure and composition in cocoa agroforest systems in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala |
| title_short | Botanical diversity, structure and composition in cocoa agroforest systems in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala |
| title_sort | botanical diversity structure and composition in cocoa agroforest systems in alta verapaz guatemala |
| topic | agroforest systems species diversity species richness botanical composition conservation of biodiversity |
| url | https://revistas.unitru.edu.pe/index.php/scientiaagrop/article/view/5064 |
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