Agricultural landscape; agroecological zones; Ecosystems functions; Malawi; tree diversity; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Ecology; Earth-Surface Processes
Abstract :
[en] Trees scattered across agricultural landscapes play a crucial role, as they provide a range of ecosystem functions. However, their role tends to be overlooked and undervalued. Thus, we investigated the taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of tree communities in agricultural landscapes along an elevation gradient, spanning highlands to lowlands and representing the three agroecological zones of Malawi. We conducted a tree inventory in 242 plots of 1 ha each along three transects of one km each per village in 22 villages. We recorded and measured all trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm within the plot for their DBH and height. Our results showed that indigenous and deciduous tree species were the most represented in agricultural landscapes. The low-, mid-, and highlands were characterized by drought-resistant species, exotic and economically valuable species, and a mixture of indigenous legume and medicinal tree species, respectively. Tree taxonomic diversity increased from the lowlands to the highlands, whereas DBH, basal area, and height decreased with increasing elevation. Phylogenetic diversity was comparable between the mid- and highlands. High tree diversity was associated with proximity to households, high slopes, low soil bulk density, and high soil clay and silt contents. These results demonstrate the need to consider local environmental context for restoration projects targeted at promoting tree diversity in agricultural landscapes.
Disciplines :
Environmental sciences & ecology
Author, co-author :
Batsi, Germain ; Forestry Department, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Mzuzu, Mzuzu, Malawi ; Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources Management, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic Congo
Noulèkoun, Florent; Institute of Convergence Science, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea ; Ojeong Resilience Institute, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
Ligowe, Ivy Sichinga; Forestry Department, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Mzuzu, Mzuzu, Malawi
ETH Zürich - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich WBG - World Bank Group
Funding text :
The authors would like to thank the World Bank through the African Centre of Excellence in Neglected and Underutilized Biodiversity (ACENUB) and ETH for Development (ETH4D) for funding this study. We particularly thank Praise Uthah for assisting us in data collection and Mr. Akaunda Kefa for tree identification in the field. We thank all forest officers and village community leaders of the seven districts targeted by this study for their assistance, facilitation, and active contribution to the data collection. We are also grateful to all members of the Agroecological Transitions Group of ETH Z\u00FCrich for their critical contributions to improving the manuscript and to the reviewers for their insightful suggestions.
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