Agroforestry typology of some cocoa based agroforests in the Mbam and Inoubou division: The importance for local population livelihoods

In order to estimate agroforestry typology of concerned cocoa based agroforests, a study was carry out in the Mbam and Inoubou division, Centre region of Cameroon. It focalized on farmer’s agroforests diversity strategies and the relationship between these systems and associated fruit trees planted to raise the revenues. To achieve this goal, 26 sampling plots of 100 x 40 m has been establish in cocoa based agroforests in six rural villages. Inventories conducted in 10.4 ha reveal the presence of 1642 plants species, grouped into 59 species, 41 genera and 25 families. Moraceae, Sterculiaceae, Rutaceae, Mimosaceae, Bignoniaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Anacardiaceae and Arecaceae appears as dominant families and the common genera were Albizia, Citrus and Ficus representing four species each. The average tree density calculated was 172.166 stems per hectare. In terms of species richness and diversity, the Shannon index found was 4.63 and 0.042 was the Simpson index while the Pielou Equitability was 0.46, highlighting the diversity as well as the stability of these types of agro-vegetations. These cocoa plantations are also well diversified with the presence of many associated fruits trees species. A total number of 19 exotic fruits trees species were recorded and among them, only eight species were found indigenous or native. The most frequent exotic tree species was Mangifera indica found in all sampling plots. This study emphasizes the importance of agroforestry systems in the improvement of local livelihoods regarding the frequency of associated edible fruits species, integrated voluntary by farmer to increase their income and thus fighting against poverty and maintaining their wellbeing during the less or unproductive season of cocoa fruits. Key words: Agroforest, Cameroon, cocoa tree, exotic species, farmer’s livelihoods, Mbam and Inoubou, species richness and density.