Typology and Agroecology of Agroecosystems in Vegetation Dynamics in the Ecotones of the Mbam and Inoubou

Agroforestry systems strongly characterize the Cameroonian agrarian landscape. Agroforests are among those structuring the ecotones of Mbam and Inoubou in the Central Cameroon region. Numerous works on agroecosystems of Central and South Cameroon, few have come out contribution of the structure of these traditional systems in the dynamics of the vegetation of these forest-savannah ecotones. The present contribution has the overall objective of demonstrating the structural efficiency of agroforests the dynamics of ecotone vegetation, but also in the conservation of biodiversity. To do this, a participatory analysis was carried out with 56 farmers distributed in the five villages of Makénéné. Botanical inventories supplemented socio-economic household surveys. The data collected was subjected to various analyzes (univariate test, analysis of variance, multivariate test, PCA, CAH). The results reveal that 55.2% of agroforests are less than 15 years old and those with an area greater than 1500 m2 predominate (33%). They are mainly young with generally small surface areas. The horizontal structure reveals that the largest diameter classes are those of [20 - 30 cm[ and [10 - 20 cm[ with a very low rate of basal area. Agroforests with trees over 10 m high are dominant in five villages of Makénéné. Two types of structural profiles characterize the agroforestry flora of the area, namely intensive pluristratified home gardens on savannah and intensive pluristratified agroforests under forest-savannah transition vegetation. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Ascending Hierarchical Clustering (HAC) show three Agroforest Clusters each. The PCA distribution reveals that woody biomass (Y) is strongly correlated with tree diameter (DBH) and significantly with height (Cluster 2). The age (AAG) (Cluster 1) of these agroforests, on the other hand, remains independent of the density (DST) of these trees (Cluster 3). The agroforests in the Nyokon, Carrière and Mocksud villages are the most effective in terms of conserving woody diversity while the agroforests of the Kinding ndé and Nyokon villages are more efficient in the reforestation processes. These results could be considered as effective and quantifiable tools for the certification of numerous cash crops such as cocoa and coffee, which will make it possible to valorize this local knowledge in terms of scientific and in the development of various programs and writing of technical notes.

A Study of the Relationship between Low-level Jet and inversion Layer over an Agroforest Ecosystem in East China Plain

The relationship between the super–low–level jet (LLJ) and inversion layer over an agroforest ecosystem on the Huang–Huai–Hai plain in the eastern China is studied by means of a time–independent K–closure model. It is found that the intensified inversion near the surface of a luxuriantly growing agroforest ecosystem leads to the formation and development of the LLJ, the more intense the inversion, the stronger is the LLJ. The critical value of inversion intensity index for the LLJ formation is 0.75°C/ 100 m, which relates to the necessary geostraphic wind velocity of 6.0 to 10 m / s at the top level of the model. The numerical calculations show that the roughness length of the underlying surface has considerable effects on the LLJ structure. Key words Low?level jet - Temperature inversion - Agroforest ecosystem The project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (49975016).

Spatial Organisation Influences Citrus <i>Pseudocercospora</i>Leaf and Fruit Spot Disease Severity in Cocoa-Based Agroforestry Systems

An investigation to assess the spatial structure and severity of Pseudocercospora leaf and fruit spot disease (PLFSD) on citrus trees in cocoa-based agroforests was carried out in three contrasting ecological zones in southern Cameroon, viz: 1) the humid forest zone, 2) the degraded forest zone, and 3) the forest-savannah transition zone. Two main parameters were investigated viz: 1) the spatial structure of cocoa based agroforests, and 2) the disease severity. In total, the spatial structure of 19 cocoa-based agroforests was analysed using the Ripley K(r) function, meanwhile the collection of epidemiological data that consisted of noting the presence of PLFSD spots on leaves and fruits on 438 citrus trees was used to characterise the severity of the disease. Results showed that, the spatial structure of citrus trees in these agroforests investigated were regular in seven plots, random in nine, and aggregated in three. Aggregated plots presented a significantly higher mean of disease severity on leaves and fruits (28.55 and 30.37 respectively), as compared to randomised (20.91 and 16.32 respectively) and regular plots (16.28 and 14.97 respectively), at P-value < 0.05. These results suggest that the spatial structure of citrus trees in the cocoa-based agroforests studied influences the severity of PFLSD. Proper integrated control measures can therefore be initiated, leading to a considerable reduction of the use of manufactured inputs, and thereby, the cost of production of citrus fruits.

A simulation study on CO_2 assimilation and crop growth in agroforest ecosystems in the East China Plain

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Assessment of tree diversity and above-ground biomass in coffee agroforest dominated tropical landscape of India's Central Western Ghats

The purpose of this study was to quantify the changes in tree diversity and above-ground biomass associated with six land-use types in Kodagu district of India's Western Ghats. We collected data on species richness,composition and above-ground biomass(AGB) of trees,shrubs and herbs from 96 sample plots of 0.1 ha. Totals of83 species from 26 families were recorded across the landuses. Tree species richness, diversity and composition were significantly higher in evergreen forest(EGF) than in other land-uses. Similarly, stem density and basal area were greater in EGF compared to other land-uses. Detrended correspondence analysis(DCA) yielded three distinct groups along the land-use intensities and rainfall gradient on the first and second axes, respectively. The first DCA axis accounted for 45% and second axis for 35% of the total variation in species composition. Together the first two axes accounted for over 2/3 of the variation in species composition across land-use types. Across the land-uses,AGB ranged from 58.6 Mg ha-1 in rubber plantation to327.3 Mg ha-1 in evergreen forest. Our results showed that species diversity and AGB were negatively impacted bythe land-use changes. We found that coffee agroforests resembled natural forest and mixed species plantation in terms of tree diversity and biomass production, suggesting that traditional coffee farms can help to protect tree species, sustain smallholder production and offer opportunities for conservation of biodiversity and climate change mitigation.

Diversity of plant species in arecanut agroforests of south Meghalaya,north-east India

In south Meghalaya, farmers maintain a variety of economically important plant species in arecanut agroforestry systems. We investigated plant species composition of arecanut agroforests of south Meghalaya and encountered 160 plants, which included 83 tree species, 22 shrub species, 41 herb species and 14 climber species. The study reveals that arecanut agroforests provide cash income, medicine, timber, fuelwood and edibles for household consumption as well as for sale. We conclude that these agroforestry systems serve as home for many economically important plant species, harbour rich biodiversity and mimic the natural forests both in structural composition as well as ecological and economic functions.

Soil Erosion of Varions Farming Systems in SnbtropicalChina

In order to optimise land use systems, to prevent erosion-induced degradation and to restore the degradedred soils in subtropical China, five cropping systems and four agroforestry systems were conducted in red soilswith a slope of 7° from 1993 to 1995. The results showed that erosion risk period occurred from April to June,and the annual runoff and the losses of soil and nutrients with sediment were alarming for two conventionalfarming systems, whereas they were negligible for the farming systems with ridge tillage. Enrichment ratiosof the lost soils from erosion were more than 1 .20 for all nutrients with much higher values for hydrolysable Nand organic matter. Compared with the control, the alley cropping systems also distinctly decreased runoffby 30% or 50%. However, the coverage of soil surface varied with alley cropping systems for the competitionof nutrients and soil water, which made a profound difference in runoff. The cropping systems of sweet potatointercropped with soybean, the alley cropping systems and the measures of mulching and ridge tillage werethe alternatives for red soil reclamation so as to prevent erosion-induced degradation.

黄土残塬沟壑区混农林系统土壤养分研究初报

分析了1991～1992年淳化县泥河沟流域塬面的道路防护型和农桐间作型混农林系统土壤养分的试验资料,结果表明,虽然混农林系统土壤养分垂直分布规律与一般农田一样,但变化梯度大。而林木的存在对农田土壤养分的水平分布产生了明显的影响。

渭北旱塬混农林综合体系小气候效应研究

本文通过对渭北地区旱塬混农林综合体系小气候效应的观测与分析,结果表明:混农林综合体系能够改善农田小气候,小气候特征与林木覆盖度、林木冠体及林木分布度关系密切,与林木株数、林木平均高度关系不密切。

Laboratory for New Urban Biotopes

The significance of urban green space in the metropolis gains weight if ecological value is linked to daily use in the urban living environment in a proper manner.A different layout of the urban domain is needed for a contribution to climate adaptation and biodiversity increase,and it is relevant to examine how plants can develop more according to the principles of succession of natural vegetation.Creating a 1:1 laboratory in Merwede,the Netherlands,provides a test case for introducing the urban biotope at various locations.Greenery in the city may be different than a natural ecosystem,but it can meet qualities that contribute to biodiversity,improvement of the urban air quality,reduce heat stress,seasonal effects and food production in the city.