Los cacaotales como herramienta para la conservación de la biodiversidad en corredores biológicos y zonas de amortiguamiento

Abstract

Debido al avance de la deforestación, los agroecosistemas se convierten en elementos claves para la conservación de la biodiversidad. Los cacaotales, por su estructura boscosa, son una herramienta valiosa para este propósito, especialmente en zonas de amortiguamiento de áreas protegidas. El diseño y manejo de los árboles de sombra del cacao determina en gran medida el valor del cacaotal para conservar y manejar la biodiversidad. Los estudios demuestran que la diversidad de aves, mamíferos no voladores y artrópodos presentes en los cacaotales adyacentes a zonas boscosas es similar a la de los bosques naturales y mucho mayor que la de los agroecosistemas manejados intensivamente. En este artículo se hacen algunas recomendaciones para incrementar la biodiversidad en cacaotales y se proponen incentivos para el desarrollo de una producción cacaotera amigable con la biodiversidad.

As a result of deforestation, agroecosystems are becoming key elements for the conservation of biodiversity cocoa plantations, because of their forest-like structure, are a valuable tool for this purpose, especially in buffer zones around protected areas. The design and management of the cocoa shade trees determines to a large degree the value of cocoa plantation for the conservation and management of biodiversity. Studies have shown that the diversity of birds, flightless mammals and arthropods, present in cocoa plantations adjacent to forest areas, is similar to that of the natural forest and much greater than that of intensively managed agroecosystems. In this article, recommendations that can increase the biodiversity of cocoa plantations are listed and incentives are proposed for the development of “biodiversity-friendly” cocoa production.

As a result of deforestation, agroecosystems are becoming key elements for the conservation of biodiversity cocoa plantations, because of their forest-like structure, are a valuable tool for this purpose, especially in buffer zones around protected areas. The design and management of the cocoa shade trees determines to a large degree the value of cocoa plantation for the conservation and management of biodiversity. Studies have shown that the diversity of birds, flightless mammals and arthropods, present in cocoa plantations adjacent to forest areas, is similar to that of the natural forest and much greater than that of intensively managed agroecosystems. In this article, recommendations that can increase the biodiversity of cocoa plantations are listed and incentives are proposed for the development of “biodiversity-friendly” cocoa production.