Biomass stocks in Ghanaian cocoa ecosystems: the effects of region, management and stand age of cocoa trees

Mohammed, A. M., Robinson, J. S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1045-4412, Midmore, D. and Verhoef, A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9498-6696 (2015) Biomass stocks in Ghanaian cocoa ecosystems: the effects of region, management and stand age of cocoa trees. European Journal of Agriculture and Forestry Research, 3 (2). pp. 22-43. ISSN 2054-6327

Abstract/Summary

Determination of biomass produced in cocoa ecosystems is an important step towards quantifying the carbon sequestration potential of cocoa production systems. This study provides data on the biomass of cocoa systems being influenced by management, cocoa stand ages and region. Eight cocoa farms were sampled on the basis of three variables: region (Eastern, Western region), shade management (shaded, unshaded) and stand age (<15, >15 years). Allometric equations (R2 > 0.94) were developed to estimate the biomass of live cocoa trees, while the biomass of non-cocoa trees was estimated using an existing equation by FAO. Generally, biomass stocks were higher in the Eastern than Western region, shaded than unshaded, and in stands >15 years than those <15 years. The total cocoa ecosystem biomass range was, 48.1 ± 6.5 to 101.6 ± 12.6 Mg/ha. The high biomass estimates reveals a potential of system to restore appreciable biomass losses resulting from deforestation and forest degradation in Ghana.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/67347
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Science > School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science > Department of Geography and Environmental Science Interdisciplinary centres and themes > Soil Research Centre Life Sciences > School of Agriculture, Policy and Development > Department of Crop Science
Uncontrolled Keywords	Cocoa ecosystem, biomass, region, shade trees, stand age
Publisher	European Centre for Research Training and Development UK
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