USE OF TIMBER AND NON-TIMBER FOREST RESOURCES IN THE CACAO (Theobroma cacao L.) AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM

Abstract

This study was carried out in the cacao agroforestry system (SAF-cacao) in Cárdenas, Tabasco, México, to quantify the use of timber and non-timber forest resources (RFM and RFNM) in the SAF-cacao. Twenty sampling sites were established, of 0.5 ha, each one with the same number of SAF-cacao, recording in each one the age and total surface, as well as the tree and non-timber species present. For the RFM, the diameter at chest height (DAP1.3m) and total height (Ht) were measured. With these variables, the basal area (AB) and the volume with bark (Vcc, m³ ha^-1) were calculated. The AB and Vcc were used to calculate the carbon stored in aerial biomass (CBA, t ha^-1). The economic value of the CBA was compared with the economic value of the cacao production. To understand cacao production (Theoborma cacao L.) and the use of RFNM, the owners of each plantation were interviewed; 3,239 trees were recorded, which belong to
56 species and 27 families, with the following standing out because of their frequency: Erythrina americana (Fabaceae), Cedrela odorata (Meliaceae) y Colubrina arborescens (Rhamnaceae). As RFNM, 6,308 plants from 53 species grouped in 29 families were found, and they were classified into six categories of use: ornamental 44%, fruit trees 28%, vegetables 25%, medicinal 3%, fodder 0.01% and spices 0.01%. Of the people, 70 % do not use RFNM, 20 % consume them and 10 % sell them. The average cacao yield was 962.5 kg ha^-1 with a net income of $ 5475.00 ha^-1. The CBA in SAF-cacao was 120.35 t ha^-1,with a calculated income from sales of $10,831.00 ha^-1.