@article{fdi:010077858,
  title = {{C}ocoa agroforest multifunctionality and soil fertility explained by shade tree litter traits},
  author = {{S}auvadet, {M}arie and {S}aj, {S}. and {F}reschet, {G}. {T}. and {E}ssobo, {J}. {D}. and {E}nock, {S}. and {B}ecquer, {T}hierry and {T}ixier, {P}. and {H}armand, {J}. {M}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{M}anipulating plant functional diversity to improve agroecosystem multifunctionality is a central challenge of agricultural systems world-wide. {I}n cocoa agroforestry systems (c{AFS}), shade trees are used to supply many services to farmers, yet their impact on soil functioning and cocoa yields is likely to vary substantially among tree species. {H}ere we compared the impact of five shade tree species ({C}anarium schweinfurthii ({C}anarium), {D}acryodes edulis ({S}afou), {M}ilicia excelsa ({I}roko), {C}eiba pentandra ({K}apok tree), {A}lbizia adianthifolia ({A}lbizia)) and unshaded conditions on the functioning of poor sandy savanna soils within eight cocoa farms in {C}entral {C}ameroon. {W}e assessed the effects of plant functional traits, leaf litterfall and fine root biomass on a range of soil functions and on cocoa yield. {S}hade trees generally improved soil p{H}, {NH}4+, {NO}3- and {O}lsen {P} content, biomass production of bioassays and soil total {C} and {N} content, while leaving cocoa yields unchanged. {H}owever, these effects varied largely among species. {I}mprovements of soil functions were low under the two fruit trees ({C}anarium and {D}acryodes), medium under the legume tree {A}lbizia and high under the two timber trees ({M}ilicia and {C}eiba). {L}ow litter recalcitrance was most strongly associated with increases in soil fertility indicators such as {N} and {P} availability, whereas soil {C} and {N} content increased with litter {C}a restitution. {S}ynthesis and applications. {W}e demonstrate that cocoa agroforest multifunctionality is substantially influenced by the functional traits of shade tree species. {S}hade tree species with the most dissimilar traits to cocoa (cocoa showing the lowest leaf litter quality) showed the largest improvement of soil functions. {T}herefore, selection of shade trees based on their functional traits appears as a promising practice to adequately manage soil functioning. {I}n order to fully assess the beneficial role of shade trees in these agroecosystems. {F}uture research will need to extend this approach to other below-ground traits and other aspects of multifunctionality such as long-term cocoa health and yield.},
  keywords = {agroecosystem multifunctionality ; agroforestry ; cacao tree ; fertility ; litter recalcitrance ; plant functional traits ; shade type ; soil functions ; {CAMEROUN}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {A}pplied {E}cology},
  volume = {57},
  numero = {3},
  pages = {476--487},
  ISSN = {0021-8901},
  year = {2020},
  DOI = {10.1111/1365-2664.13560},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010077858},
}