Shade canopy density variables in cocoa and coffee agroforestry systems

Somarriba Eduardo, Saj Stéphane, Orozco-Aguilar Luis, Somarriba Aurelio, Rapidel Bruno. 2024. Shade canopy density variables in cocoa and coffee agroforestry systems. Agroforestry Systems, 98 : 585-601.

Résumé : An estimated 3.4 million hectares of cocoa and 9.7 million hectares of coffee are cultivated, globally, under shade trees, i.e. in agroforestry systems. Shade canopies are characterized in terms of tree density (N, trees ha−1), tree basal area (G, m2 ha−1) and percent canopy cover (%Cov). N, G and %Cov are named shade canopy density variables (SCDV). The use of these SCDV has two important limitations: (1) different combinations of values of the three SCDV variables generate very different shade tree stands (hence very different shading levels), and (2) Additional factors modify shading under shade canopies with constant SCDV values. This article uses the software ShadeMotion (www.shademotion.net) to show how 24 different, simple, even-sized, mono-layered, Cordia alliodora shade canopies with constant N, G and %Cov display significantly different shade levels and temporal patterns of shading depending on tree stem and crown diameter ratios, tree height, spatial planting configurations (square, random and alleys) and leaf fall patterns. A minimum set of variables capable of providing a more accurate description of the shading characteristics of a cocoa or coffee shade canopy is proposed. Our findings can shed light on the current debate on the pros and cons of the definitions of cocoa agroforestry used by chocolate and certification companies, governments, non-governmental organizations, and donors, especially in West and Central Africa. In this article, emphasis is given to cocoa, but the analysis, results and conclusions are equally applicable to coffee agroforestry systems.

Mots-clés Agrovoc : agroforesterie, Theobroma cacao, arbre d'ombrage, ombrage, systèmes agroforestiers, séquestration du carbone, anatomie végétale, Coffea arabica, Houppier, système de culture, couvert, services écosystémiques, densité

Mots-clés géographiques Agrovoc : Afrique occidentale, Afrique centrale

Mots-clés libres : ShadeMotion, Cordia alliodora, Basal area, Canopy cover, Shade tree density, Spatial planting patterns, Monthly leaf fall pattern

Classification Agris : F08 - Systèmes et modes de culture
F40 - Écologie végétale

Champ stratégique Cirad : CTS 2 (2019-) - Transitions agroécologiques

Agences de financement hors UE : Université de Montpellier, Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza, Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement

Auteurs et affiliations

• Somarriba Eduardo, CATIE (CRI) - auteur correspondant
• Saj Stéphane, CIRAD-PERSYST-UMR ABSys (FRA) ORCID: 0000-0001-5856-5459
• Orozco-Aguilar Luis, NICAFRANCE (NIC)
• Somarriba Aurelio, IBM Business Transformation Center (CRI)
• Rapidel Bruno, CIRAD-PERSYST-UMR ABSys (FRA) ORCID: 0000-0003-0288-5650

Source : Cirad-Agritrop (https://agritrop.cirad.fr/607660/)

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