Conservation of ant communities in cashew tree-based agroforestry systems: Key roles of tree density and diversity

Dassou Gbèblonoudo Anicet, Gbèmavo Charlemagne D. S. J., Onzo Alexis, Kpoto Sathurnin, Anagonou Corinne M., Dansi Alexandre, Tixier Philippe, Carval Dominique. 2025. Conservation of ant communities in cashew tree-based agroforestry systems: Key roles of tree density and diversity. Agroforestry Systems, 99:1, 11 p.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-024-01102-7

Article de revue ; Article de recherche ; Article de revue à facteur d'impact

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Résumé : Under the pressure exerted by humans on forest ecosystems, agroforestry is promoted to maintain a balance between forest and agricultural ecosystems. Agroforestry systems are the center of interactions between crops and other plants and between fauna and flora. Within this faunistic diversity, ants occupy a prominent place through their protective association with some tropical plant species as natural enemies of their arthropod pests. In this study, we analyzed the effects of the diversity of trees associated with cashew trees and of cashew tree density on ant abundance/diversity in cashew agroforestry systems. The study was conducted in 12 cashew orchards in central Benin. Data on the diversity and densities of ground-dwelling and arboreal ant species were collected using hand and bait traps. The diversity of trees in the orchards and cashew tree density were also determined. Twenty ant species were collected among which the most abundant were Pheidole spp., Lepisiota sp., Paratrechina longicornis, Camponotus sericeus, Brachyponera sennaarensis, Camponotus spp., and Oecophylla longinoda. Tree diversity and cashew tree density in those orchards had significantly positive effects on the ant densities but not on ant diversity. Structural equation modeling showed that the abundance of ants increased the diversity of ants, which decreased the herbivory index. Based on the important role of ants as biological pest control agents, it is worth promoting agroforestry systems in cashew orchards to increase ant abundance, thereby improving their productivity.

Mots-clés Agrovoc : agroforesterie, agroécosystème, Anacardium occidentale, Oecophylla, lutte biologique, agent de lutte biologique, noix de cajou, ravageur des plantes

Mots-clés géographiques Agrovoc : Bénin

Mots-clés libres : Orchards, Conservation biological control, Biodiversity, Ant, Forest conservation, Benin

Agences de financement hors UE : Rufford Foundation

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