Floristic diversity and structure in cacao agroforestry systems, Theobroma cacao (Malvaceae) from five ecoregions of Colombia
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| Autores: | , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Formato: | artículo original |
| Estado: | Versión publicada |
| Data de Publicación: | 2026 |
| Descripción: | Introduction: The expansion of the agricultural frontier and biodiversity loss in Colombia have driven the search for more sustainable production systems. Cocoa Agroforestry Systems (AFS) represent an alternative that integrates conservation and production; however, information on their floristic diversity and structure at the national scale remains limited. Objective: To analyze the floristic diversity and structure associated with cocoa AFS across five ecoregions of Colombia as a basis for management approaches with an agroecological perspective. Methods: Within the framework of the Asómbrate program, 500 one-hectare plots distributed across five ecoregions (100 plots per ecoregion) were analyzed. All individuals with Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) ≥ 10 cm were recorded, and richness, density, structure, the Importance Value Index for species (IVI) and the Family Importance Value (FIV). Alpha diversity (Hill numbers) and beta diversity (Bray–Curtis index) were calculated, and sampling sufficiency (> 90 %) was evaluated using rarefaction and extrapolation curves. Results: A total of 38 221 individuals belonging to 205 species, 153 genera, and 51 families were recorded. Shrub and sub-canopy strata predominated (83 %), as did individuals with DBH < 40 cm (82.6 %). Persea americana, Musa paradisiaca, Cordia alliodora, and the family Fabaceae showed the highest importance values. Alpha diversity was intermediate, and floristic similarity among ecoregions was low (< 0.20). Sampling completeness exceeded 90 %. Conclusion: Cacao agroforestry systems exhibit relevant floristic and structural diversity, with variations among ecoregions expressed mainly in species richness, highlighting their importance as sustainable production systems and the need for differentiated management approaches in Colombia’s cacao-growing landscapes. |
| País: | Portal de Revistas UCR |
| Institución: | Universidad de Costa Rica |
| Repositorio: | Portal de Revistas UCR |
| Idioma: | Español |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:portal.revistas.ucr.ac.cr:article/822 |
| Acceso en liña: | https://revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/rrbt/article/view/822 |
| Palabra crave: | abundancia; composición; manejo agroecológico; riqueza; servicios ecosistémicos abundance; composition; agroecological management; richness; ecosystem services |