We demonstrate that cocoa agroforest multifunctionality is substantially influenced by the functional traits of shade tree species. Low 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 Ca restitution. Improvements of soil functions were low under the two fruit trees ( Canarium and Dacryodes), medium under the legume tree Albizia and high under the two timber trees ( Milicia and Ceiba). However, these effects varied largely among species.
Shade trees generally improved soil pH,, and Olsen P content, biomass production of bioassays and soil total C and N content, while leaving cocoa yields unchanged.We assessed the effects of plant functional traits, leaf litterfall and fine root biomass on a range of soil functions and on cocoa yield. Here we compared the impact of five shade tree species ( Canarium schweinfurthii (Canarium), Dacryodes edulis (Safou), Milicia excelsa (Iroko), Ceiba pentandra (Kapok tree), Albizia adianthifolia (Albizia)) and unshaded conditions on the functioning of poor sandy savanna soils within eight cocoa farms in Central Cameroon.In cocoa agroforestry systems (cAFS), 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. Manipulating plant functional diversity to improve agroecosystem multifunctionality is a central challenge of agricultural systems world-wide.
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