Dataverse World Agroforestry (ICRAF)
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Exploring local knowledge on indicators of soil health and contributions of agroforestry trees in smallholders’ maize production systems in Rift Valley, Kenya
No full textA study was conducted to explore local knowledge on indicators of soil quality and contribution of agroforestry trees in smallholders’ maize production systems in Rift valley, Kenya. Semi structured interviews were administered to 47 small-scale farmers whose farms had similar soil type. The purpose of this study was specifically to: a) to assess farmers’ perceptions on the soil quality gradients in their farms; b) to determine local indicators used by smallholder farmers to assess differences in soil quality; and c) to evaluate dominant agroforestry tree species and their perceived effects on soil quality
Replication data for: Alemagi et al 2014 REDD+ readiness process in Cameroon: an analysis of multi-stakeholder perspectives
No full textCameroon has been a keen participant in Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation plus conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of carbon stocks (REDD+) negotiations since 2005 and has engaged in activities to enhance the implementation of REDD+. This article reviews progress on REDD+ readiness in Cameroon based on a multiple REDD+ functions framework. Results show that some progress has been made in terms of planning and coordination, institutional development, and the development of some REDD+ projects. Absence of a legal framework, inadequate procedures for stakeholder participation, slow progress in the development of a national strategy, monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) challenges, and weak financing remain prominent constraints. Despite having one of the slowest REDD Readiness Preparation Pro
posal (R-PP) processes in the Congo Basin, stakeholders feel strong ownership because the R-PP was done almost entirely by Cameroonian experts. Some opportunities for improving REDD+ can be considered going forward, including the establishment of procedures for a broader participatory process, speeding up the operationalization of the National Observatory on Climate Change, making use of the ongoing forestry law reform, consideration of a carbon concessions concept, tapping from international initiatives to build on MRV, and improving benefit sharing and financing through the development of an appropriate and decentralized mechanism. Enhancing these opportunities is fundamental for successful REDD+ implementation in Cameroon. Policy relevance This article offers a new multidimensional approach to assessing the REDD+ readiness process in Cameroon. This critical assessment, which is done using six key functions, provides an opportunity for enhanced understanding of the process by policy makers, decision makers, and professionals with a view to enabling improvements in the readiness process. Furthermore, the article proffers a series of opportunities that the government and other relevant stakeholders can capitalize on to overcome current hurdles affecting the REDD+ readiness process. It is hoped that policy makers driving the REDD+ process in Cameroon will be able to incorporate the findings of this research into their strategic policy, formulated to advance the REDD+ readiness process. More importantly, it is hoped that the multidimensional framework applied in this study could be useful for assessing REDD+ in similar contexts in the Congo Basin
Replication data for: Would strictly enforced forestry regulations affect farmers’ stated intentions to plant indigenous fruits trees? Insights from Cameroon
No full textFrom theory it is expected that forestry laws and regulations affect the adoption of agroforestry technologies, such as planting of indigenous fruit trees. These trees are important sources of nutrients and income to thousands of farmers. However data on farmers’ perceptions and behaviour towards such policy instruments are scarce and contradictory. Based on data collected from 394 households in Cameroon, using a structured questionnaire, farmers’ awareness, perception and willingness to accept policy instruments governing on-farm trees were assessed. The study further investigated whether the policy instruments would affect their intentions to plant selected indigenous fruit trees on their farms. The analysis found that a majority of farmers are unaware of the laws governing access and trade in indigenous fruit tree species. Furthermore, even if strictly applied, a significant majority of farmers (60%) would not be discouraged by the regulations, from planting trees on their farms because it constitutes part of their traditional farming practices. Yet, the authors argue that planting of indigenous fruit tree species could increase under simplified rules, as 40% of the farmers do claim they would refus
e to plant such trees if existing regulations are strictly enforced. The study therefore concludes that there is a need for new policies to attract more farmers to integrate indigenous fruit trees on their farms. Given the current trend to encourage on-farm tree planting to address food security and climate change issues, this is especially relevant
Growth data up to 128 months for Calycophyllum spruceanum progeny tests in Ucayali, Peruvian Amazon
No full textSee metadata file for descriptions of variables et
Motivasi Petani dalam Kegiatan Penyuluhan Pengelolaan Kebun Agroforestri: Pembelajaran dari Kabupaten Bantaeng dan Bulukumba Sulawesi Selatan.
No full textPenyuluhan agroforestri, seperti halnya penyuluhan lainnya, memiliki fungsi menjembatani ilmu pengetahuan yang dihasilkan melalui penelitian dengan aksi-aksi nyata di tingkat petani. Namun, pada kenyataannya, keterlibatan petani dalam penyuluhan agroforestri masih cukup rendah, khususnya di daerah Indonesia bagian timur seperti Sulawesi. Sehingga pengetahuan petani tentang pengelolaan agroforestri yang optimum masih terbatas. Oleh karena itu, studi ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui motivasi partisipasi petani dalam penyuluhan agroforestri, sehingga dapat digunakan dalam perancangan penyuluhan agroforestri yang mendukung tingkat partisipasi petani yang tinggi
Tree inventories and plant functional traits in coffee agroforestry systems of Hojancha - Costa Rica
No full textThis study was conducted in the Cantón of Hojancha in the Peninsula de Nicoya in Costa Rica. In the study area, 80 coffee plots belonging to 47 producers (located in the tropical forest between 500 and 800 m.s.n.m.) were surveyed. At each plot a transect 20 m x 50m (1000m2) was used to carry tree inventory. All trees with diameter at breast height (dbh)>10 cm were listed, as well as diameter and maximum height was registered. A total of 2424 individuals corresponding to 80 species were inventoried. Wood density (mg mm-3) and Leaf resistance to tearing (N mm-1) were measured in each plot with species that accounted for 80% of the abundance of the individuals present in the plot. Leaf resistance to tearing was measured with a tearing apparatus (as indicated in (Pérez-Harguindeguy et al. 2013). One leave was selected from 2 trees in each plot (whenever possible) and in this leave a segment 5mm x 3cm was cut (whenever possible, in small leaves segments were smaller). The segment was used in the tearing apparatus to measure the force required to tear it apart. The data presented in the database is the average value for 2 individuals of each species selected in each plot (311 entries). For wood density one tree was selected in each plot and a tree core was extracted using an increment borer. A total of 306 trees were measured. Tree samples were stored in plastic containers and then dried in an air oven until constant weight. Volume and dry weight from core samples were used to calculate stem density. Leaf, flower and fruit phenology was derived from interviews to farmers, whereby farmers were asked in which months a species had leaves, flowers or fruits. Farmers were asked only for species that were present in their farms, and that they knew well.
Pérez-Harguindeguy, N., S. Díaz, E. Garnier, S. Lavorel, H. Poorter, P. Jaureguiberry, et al. 2013. New handbook for standardised measurement of plant functional traits worldwide. Australian Journal of Botany 61:167-234
Replication data for: Shifting Baselines on a Tropical Forest Frontier: Extirpations Drive Declines in Local Ecological Knowledge
No full textThe value of local ecological knowledge (LEK) to conservation is increasingly recognised, but LEK is being rapidly lost as indigenous livelihoods change. Biodiversity loss is also a driver of the loss of LEK, but quantitative study is lacking. In our study landscape in SW China, a large proportion of species have been extirpated. Hence, we were interested to understand whether species extirpation might have led to an erosion of LEK and the implications this might have for conservation. So we investigated peoplesâ ability to name a selection of birds and mammals in their local language from pictures. Age was correlated to frequency of forest visits as a teenager and is likely to be closely correlated to other known drivers of the loss of LEK, such as declining forest dependence. We found men were better at identifying birds overall and that older people were better able to identify birds to the species as compared to group levels (approximately equivalent to genus). The effect of age was also stronger among women. However, after controlling for these factors, species abundance was by far the most important parameter in determining peoplesâ ability to name birds. People were unable to name any locally extirpated birds at the species level. However, contrary to expectations, people were better able to identify extirpated mammals at the species level than extant ones. However, extirpated mammals tend to be more charismatic species and several respondents indicated they were only familiar with them through TV
documentaries. Younger people today cannot experience the sights and sounds of forest animals that their parents grew up with and, consequently, knowledge of these species is passing from cultural memory. We suggest that engaging older members of the community and linking the preservation of LEK to biodiversity conservation may help generate support for conservation
Replication data for: Farmers in Cote d'Ivoire value integrating tree diversity in cocoa for the provision of ecosystem services
No full textCote d'Ivoire produces 40 % of the world supply of cocoa but much of the plantation area is aging and declining in productivity, while opportunities for land expansion into new forest land are quickly disappearing. Rejuvenation strategies for cocoa presently coalesce either around improved varieties and greater use of agro-chemical inputs in full sun systems or eco-certification that requires trees to be integrated with cocoa. Here, we explore the possibility of uniting these approaches through building on current farmer practice of incorporating trees in their cocoa fields to improve cocoa productivity and diversify their livelihoods. We interviewed 355 farmers about trees integrated in the
ir cocoa fields across four locations in the South-West of Cote d'Ivoire in 2012, stratified by whether or not farmers were eco-certified. Despite the massive deforestation, a rich diversity of trees was found in cocoa fields and an overwhelming majority of farmers (95 %) wanted more trees and/or more tree species, regardless of their certification status or ethnic origin. There was a consensus that most trees were compatible with cocoa, but farmers also traded off negative impacts of some species against their productive contribution to their livelihood. Farmers valued tree diversity on their cocoa plots and provided detailed information on how 32 tree species interacted with cocoa in terms of soil moisture retention, soil fertility improvement and pest and disease interactions but also had key gaps in knowledge about alternative hosts of mirids and mistletoe. The majority of farmers were not aware of the certification requirements for tree species and shade cover but a much higher proportion of certified farmers (76 %) had received information about shade trees than non-certified farmers (15 %), although advice only related to eight tree species. Scope for building on local knowledge and practice to sustainably increase cocoa productivity through promoting tree diversity while enhancing other ecosystem service provision was identified and the next steps required to realize this set out
Replication data for: Alemagi et al 2014 Intensification of Cocoa Agroforetry systems as REDD Strategy in Cameroon -IJAS
No full textTree planting and the use of inputs within cocoa agroforestry systems are key intensification pathways for enhancing the contribution of these systems to REDD+. However, scholarship on the hurdles, motivations, and challenges pertaining to intensification of these systems remains surprisingly scanty. A questionnaire addressing these knowledge gaps was administered to 461 cocoa farmers randomly selected from 10 communities in the South Region of Cameroon. The lack of technical support was identified as one of the main obstacles to tree planting and the use of inputs. The least motivating factor behind tree planting and the use of inputs was inadequate technical assistance. Limited access to
credit facilities was observed as of the most important challenges to tree planting and the use of inputs. Addressing the various hurdles and challenges and promoting the least motivation factor through proper incentive mechanisms could advance REDD+ since intensification pathways within these systems increase agricultural productivity thereby enabling farmers to stay on the same land. This results in less forest being cleared and allows for the recovery of forests degraded for the creation of these systems. In closing, we proffer incentive mechanisms for promoting intensification pathways within these cocoa agroforestry systems
Replication data for: Recommendations for capacity building programme on payment for environmental services for stakeholders in Vietnam
No full textRecommendations for capacity building programme on payment for environmental services for stakeholders in Vietnam. (Vietnamese version