TITLE:
Useful Plants in Cocoa Plantations: A Heritage to Be Preserved for Resilient Agroforests in Côte d’Ivoire
AUTHORS:
Adjo Annie Yvette Assalé, Gislain Danmo Konan, Kouassi Apollinaire Kouakou, Yao Sadaiou Sabas Barima
KEYWORDS:
West Africa, Cocoa Farming, Agroforestry, Biodiversity, Traditional Knowledge
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ecology,
Vol.15 No.10,
October
17,
2025
ABSTRACT: In Côte d’Ivoire, cocoa is an important source of income for the population and the state. However, its production has led to massive deforestation, reducing forest cover and the associated ecosystem services. In order to reconcile cocoa production with conservation, agroforestry is being promoted; however, its success hinges on the traditional knowledge of the services provided by these plants, which remains poorly documented. This study aims to document the endogenous knowledge of rural populations regarding the ecosystem services provided by woody plants in cocoa-based agroforestry systems. To this end, ethnobotanical surveys were conducted among 50 farmers in five villages located within one of Côte d’Ivoire’s primary cocoa production regions. These surveys were supplemented by a literature review and principal component analysis. A total of 53 woody species were identified, including 37 indigenous and 16 introduced species. They provide services for food (48.18%), medicinal care (31.04%), construction (14.16%), fodder (5.97%) and cosmetics (0.65%). Organs used include leaves, fruit, bark, roots, etc. Despite their usefulness, 54% of these species are on the IUCN Red List, underlining their vulnerability. In addition, locality and ethnicity have been identified as differentiating factors in knowledge of the services provided. Integrating this local knowledge into forest management programs will ensure the sustainable use of woody plants in cocoa-based agroforestry systems. In addition, in view of the threats to biodiversity, work needs to be done on prioritizing the conservation of these species. A participatory approach involving researchers, decision-makers and rural communities is essential to preserve woody plants while maintaining cocoa profitability.