Traditional taro (Colocasia esculenta) cultivation in the swamp forest of Guadeloupe (F.W.I.): impact on forest structure and plant biodiversity - Archive ouverte HAL Accéder directement au contenu
Article Dans Une Revue Revue d'Écologie Année : 2004

Traditional taro (Colocasia esculenta) cultivation in the swamp forest of Guadeloupe (F.W.I.): impact on forest structure and plant biodiversity

Résumé

In Guadeloupe, traditional taro monoculture (Colocasia escidenta) is conducted under partial, natural shade in the Pterocarpus swamp forest. The impact of this original agroforestry practice on forest structure, soil and flora was investigated on inventory plots totalling 4006 m(2) within the MAB reserve, in the Bay of the Grand Cul-de-sac Marin. Taro cultivation was responsible for important qualitative and quantitative changes of vegetation and, to a lesser extent, soil characteristics. Stem density decreased by 80%, and a number of weeds invaded cultivated stands while several shade-tolerant understorey species were eliminated. However. such disturbances were confined to the landward forest edge, and forest recovery appeared to be efficient on formerly cultivated stands. Regarding the development of conservation strategies applicable to the Pterocarpits swamp forest, and providing that complementary studies on especially endangered species be conducted, we believe that this sustainable agroforestry system could be a useful tool in the building of effective "buffer zones".
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Dates et versions

hal-02680928 , version 1 (31-05-2020)

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  • HAL Id : hal-02680928 , version 1
  • PRODINRA : 14274
  • WOS : ISI:000220011300019

Citer

Daniel Imbert, Etienne Saur, Ingrid Bonhême, Valérie Roseau. Traditional taro (Colocasia esculenta) cultivation in the swamp forest of Guadeloupe (F.W.I.): impact on forest structure and plant biodiversity. Revue d'Écologie, 2004, 59 (1-2), pp.181-189. ⟨hal-02680928⟩

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