Conserving woody species in cocoa agroforestry systems in the peri-urban area of Daloa, Center-West Côte d'Ivoire: Diversity, status and perspectives

 Corresponding author: Amon Anoh Denis-Esdras Copyright © 2025 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0. Conserving woody species in cocoa agroforestry systems in the peri-urban area of Daloa, Center-West Côte d'Ivoire: Diversity, status and perspectives Anoh Denis-Esdras AMON 1, *, Dodiomon SORO 2 and N’Dah Kouamé Cyriac KOUADIO 1 1 Department of Agroforestry, Lourougnon Guédé University, Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire. 2 Department of Biosciences, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 1063-1075 Publication history: Received on 06 September 2025; revised on 12 October 2025; accepted on 14 October 2025 Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2025.28.1.3418 Abstract Often overlooked, agroforestry systems play a central role in the conservation of woody biodiversity, particularly in peri-urban areas subject to high anthropogenic pressures. This study aimed to assess the diversity and conservation status of woody species in cocoa plantations in the peri-urban area of Daloa. The floristic inventory was carried out on 2,400 m² plots (60 m × 40 m) distributed across four rural localities: Briboua, Toroguhé, Zakoua and Zépréguhé. A total of 82 woody species, belonging to 60 genera and 27 families, were recorded. The most represented families were Fabaceae (16 species), Malvaceae (9 species), Moraceae (7 species), and Euphorbiaceae (6 species). The Shannon index ranged from 2.16 to 3.93, reflecting moderate to high species diversity. Pielou's equitability (0.59 to 0.91) indicated a relatively homogeneous distribution of species across sites. Analysis of the horizontal structure of the stands revealed an “inverted J” distribution, showing the predominance of young individuals (≤ 10 cm in diameter), while large-diameter trees (> 50 cm) were poorly represented. The relative importance value index showed that only a few species, including Terminalia ivorensis, Petersianthus africanus and Mangifera indica, constitute the main framework of the stands. The results confirm that cocoa agroforestry systems in peri-urban areas contribute significantly to the conservation of woody biodiversity, with dynamics strongly influenced by local agricultural practices. For sustainable management, it is necessary to integrate farmers' knowledge into conservation strategies, promote cocoa agroforestry, and enhance the value of woody species with high ecological utility. Keywords: Agroforestry; Cocoa Farming; Woody Biodiversity; Diversity Index; Daloa; Côte d'Ivoire 1. Introduction The tropical forests of West Africa are among the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world [19]. However, they are also among the most threatened, due to rapid and persistent deforestation [1]. According to [8], nearly 13 million hectares of forest disappear each year worldwide. In Côte d’Ivoire, this degradation has accelerated in recent decades, leading to a considerable loss of forest cover: from 16 million hectares at the beginning of the 20th century, only 6.38 million hectares remained in 2000 [5]. Several studies highlight that agricultural expansion, dominated by cocoa farming, has been one of the main drivers of this deforestation [4, 20]. The "Ivorian miracle" of the two decades following independence was largely based on the extensive exploitation of forests for the benefit of this export crop, of which the country remains the world's leading producer [6]. The gradual expansion of plantations from east to west has contributed significantly to the degradation of the forest landscape, with an estimated annual deforestation rate of 3.8% [4, 5]. Despite its role in reducing forest cover, cocoa cultivation is often associated with other tree species, thus forming agroforestry systems [9]. These systems are characterized by the presence of a dominant crop (cocoa, coffee, rubber, etc.) supplemented by forest or exotic species, vines, and shrubs. In some cases, they can maintain a level of biodiversity close to that of a secondary forest [18]. However, in recent decades, the diversity of trees and shrubs preserved by World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 1063-1075 1064 producers has tended to decline, mainly due to increasing anthropogenic pressures, such as rapid urbanization and demographic pressure in peri-urban areas [15]. This trend raises questions about the real potential for conserving plant diversity in cocoa agroforestry systems, particularly in heavily anthropized peri-urban areas [17]. In Daloa, a major cocoa-producing area, few studies have focused on the composition and ecological value of the woody species present in these agrosystems. This lack of documentation justifies the interest of the present study, which aims to assess the diversity and conservation status of woody species in cocoa plantations in the peri-urban area of Daloa. More specifically, the aim is to characterize the woody flora present in these agrosystems and to determine the importance of woody species conserved and/or associated with farmers. 2. Materials and methods 2.1. Study area The study was conducted in the Haut-Sassandra region, in the peri-urban areas (Bribua, Toroguhé, Zakoua and Zépréguhé) of Daloa, located in the central-western part of Côte d'Ivoire (Figure 1). Figure 1 Map showing the location of the study area and sites It lies between 6°52′ and 6.87′ north latitude and between 6°27′ and 6.45′ west longitude, approximately 141 km from Yamoussoukro, the political capital [3]. The climate is equatorial Guinean, characterized by two dry seasons, from November to February, and two rainy seasons, from March to October, with peak rainfall in June. Annual rainfall varies between 1,200 mm and 1,300 mm, while the average annual temperature is 25.6°C. The vegetation in the area was originally dense semi-deciduous rainforest dominated by Triplochiton scleroxylon and mesophilic savannahs [10]. However, under the effect of World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 1063-1075 1065 anthropogenic pressures, these formations have declined significantly, giving way to degraded forests, fallow land, and cultivated areas. 2.2. Data collection The study was conducted between 2023 and 2024 in four rural peri-urban localities selected for their accessibility: Zépréguhé (06°54′ N, 06°21′ W) on the Bouaflé-Daloa axis, Toroguhé (06°56′ N, 06°27′ W) on the Vavoua-Daloa axis, Zakoua (06°48′ N, 06°27′ W) on the Issia-Daloa axis, and Briboua (06°52′ N, 06°30′ W) on the Man-Daloa axis. In each of these locations, five cocoa plantations were selected at random. On each plantation, two 60 m x 40 m quadrats were randomly arranged, resulting in a total of 40 tree and shrub surveys. For each tree observed in the quadrats, the diameter at breast height (dbh measured at 1.37 m above the ground) was recorded and registered individually. 2.3. Data analysis Taxonomic identification of species was carried out with reference to the classification in [16]. The specimens collected were compared with reference samples stored in the herbarium of the National Center for Floristics (CNF) at Félix Houphouët-Boigny University in Abidjan. The validity of scientific names, including specific genus and family levels as well as authors, was verified using recognized botanical databases, notably the International Plant Names Index (IPNI) and Plants of the World Online (POWO). The phytosociological parameters calculated include species richness, absolute frequency (AFr) and relative frequency (RFr). The floristic diversity of cocoa plantations was assessed using the Shannon-Wiener index [22], defined by the following formula: Where pi is (Ni/N), Ni - Number of individuals of species i and N - Total number of individuals of all species. Pielou's equitability index [20] was calculated as follows: With: H’ - Shannon-Weiner diversity index; S - Total number of species. In addition, the structural parameters of the stands within the cocoa plantations were assessed using relative density, basal area, and dominance. Relative density (RD) was obtained using the following formula: Where n - Number of individuals of a species and N - Number of individuals counted. The basal area (S), calculated from the diameter of the stems measured at breast height, was determined using the formula: With: B - Base area; D - Stem diameter; π = 3.1416. Relative dominance (RDo) was deduced from the ratio between the basal area of a species and the total basal area of the cocoa plot. The importance value index (IVI) was calculated by combining relative density (RD), relative frequency (RFr) and relative dominance according to the following relationship: In addition to these parameters, the horizontal structure of the tree population in the cocoa plantations surveyed was analyzed by dividing the trees into diameter classes with 5 cm intervals [8]. Ten diameter classes were thus selected: 510 cm, 10-15 cm, 15-20 cm, 20-25 cm, 25-30 cm, 30-35 cm, 35-40 cm, 40-45 cm, 45-50 cm, and > 50 cm. H' = - Σ (pᵢ × ln(pᵢ)) E = H′ /ln (S) RD = (n / N) x 100 IVI = RD+ RFr +RD S = ∑ (π D2) / 4 World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 1063-1075 1066 2.4. Statistical analysis of data The data were processed using Statistica 7.1 software. Specific richness parameters and diversity indices were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). In cases of significant differences, the means were compared using the Newman-Keuls test at a 5% threshold. In addition, one-factor ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied to floristic parameters (richness, diversity indices) and structural parameters (density and basal area). 3. Results 3.1. Specific richness and diversity of cocoa plantations The floristic inventory of the cocoa plantations surveyed identified 82 species (Table 1). Table 1 Taxonomic diversity, dendrometric characteristics, and indices of importance of woody species in cocoa plantations Species Family AFr ni Average diameter (cm) Basal area species (m² /ha) RD (%) RFr (%) RDo (%) IVI Acacia hamiltoniana Maiden Fabaceae 26.05 128 18.95 3.60 0.88 1.36 2.38 4.62 Acacia mangium Willd. Fabaceae 33.04 72 21.19 2.54 0.62 1.72 1.34 3.68 Adansonia digitata L. Malvaceae 28.32 87 44.75 13.68 3.34 1.48 1.62 6.44 Afzelia africana Sm. ex Pers. Fabaceae 25.89 51 44.7 8 1.96 1.35 0.95 4.26 Afzelia bipindensis Harms Fabaceae 20.79 104 12.16 1.20 0.29 1.08 1.93 3.30 Albizia adianthifolia (Schumach.) W.F. Wright Fabaceae 30.13 25 7.88 0.12 0.03 1.57 0.46 2.06 Albizia ferruginea (Guill. and Perr.) Benth. Fabaceae 21.38 86 8.83 0.52 0.13 1.11 1.60 2.84 Albizia glaberrima (Schum. and Thonn.) Benth. Fabaceae 40.45 55 12.49 0.68 0.17 2.11 1.02 3.30 Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. Fabaceae 43.47 32 13.78 0.48 0.12 2.27 0.60 2.99 Albizia zygia (DC.) J. F. Macbr. Fabaceae 19.10 19 6.03 0.05 0.01 1 0.35 1.36 Alchornea cordifolia (Schumach. and Thonn.) Müll.Arg. Euphorbiaceae 36.25 46 15.92 0.91 0.22 1.89 0.86 2.97 Alstonia boonei De Wild. Apocynaceae 25.21 63 43.54 9.38 2.29 1.31 1.17 4.77 Anacardium occidentale L. Anacardiaceae 26.86 70 10.52 0.60 0.15 1.4 1.30 2.85 Annona muricata L. Annonaceae 41.88 41 40.34 5.24 1.28 2.18 0.76 4.22 Annona squarnosa L. Annonaceae 5.98 15 49.69 2.90 0.71 0.31 0.28 1.30 World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 1063-1075 1067 Anthocleista nobilis G. Don Loganiaceae 6.67 91 43.21 13.34 3.26 0.35 1.69 5.30 Antiaris toxicaria var. africana Scott Elliot ex A.Chev. Moraceae 3.85 48 7.21 0.19 0.05 0.20 0.89 1.14 Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Meliaceae 37.97 109 41.41 14.68 3.59 1.98 2.03 7.60 Baphia bancoensis Aubrév. Fabaceae 35.68 16 5.97 0.04 0.01 1.86 0.30 2.17 Baphia nitida Lodd. Fabaceae 39.40 7 14.84 0.12 0.03 2.06 0.13 2.22 Bauhinia rufescens Lam Fabaceae 44.10 56 7.60 0.25 0.06 2.30 1.04 3.4 Blighia sapida K. D. Koenig Sapindaceae 36.56 85 10.37 0.71 0.17 1.91 1.58 3.66 Bombax buenopozense P. Beauv. Malvaceae 22.38 37 9.48 0.26 0.06 1.17 0.69 1.92 Bombax costatum Pellegr. and Vuillet Malvaceae 35.78 59 6 0.16 0.04 1.86 1.10 3 Bridelia ferruginea Benth. Phyllanthaceae 7.97 5 8.52 0.02 0.01 0.42 0.09 0.52 Bridelia grandis Pierre ex Hutch. Phyllanthaceae 29.88 43 9.69 0.31 0.08 1.56 0.80 2.44 Calotropis procera (Ait.) W.T. Ait Apocynaceae 9.02 24 13.41 0.33 0.08 0.47 0.45 1 Carapa procera DC. Meliaceae 42.68 51 49.05 9.63 2.36 2,22 0.95 5.53 Cassia javanica L. Fabaceae 24.92 47 5.38 0.10 0.03 1.30 0.87 2.20 Cecropia peltata L. Urticaceae 20.42 120 45.08 19.15 4.68 1.06 2.23 7.97 Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaerth. Malvaceae 14.11 61 41.67 8.32 2.03 0.74 1.13 3.90 Chrysophyllum cainito L. Sapotaceae 35.52 65 12.79 0.83 0.20 1.85 1.21 3.26 Citrus aurantium L. Rutaceae 22.16 109 48.65 20.26 4.95 1.16 2.03 8.14 Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck Rutaceae 26.87 82 9.11 0.53 0.13 1.40 1.53 3.06 Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck Rutaceae 3.79 35 6.40 0.11 0.03 0.20 0.65 0.88 Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr. Rutaceae 28.94 29 5.33 0.06 0.02 1.51 0.54 2.07 Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck Rutaceae 28.71 7 49.83 1.36 0.33 1.50 0.13 1.96 Coffea arabica L. Rubiaceae 28.91 8 8.73 0.04 0.01 1.51 0.15 1.67 Coffea canephora Pierre ex A. Froehner Rubiaceae 42.64 99 9.20 0.65 0.16 2.22 1.84 4.22 World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 1063-1075 1068 Cola nitida (Vent.) Schott and Endl. Malvaceae 31.64 103 5.51 0.24 0.06 1.65 1.92 3.63 Eugenia malaccensis L. Myrtaceae 18.10 112 8.65 0.66 0.16 0.94 2.08 3.18 Ficus capensis Thunb. Moraceae 21.36 18 5.17 0.04 0.01 1.11 0.33 1.45 Ficus exasperata Vahl Moraceae 32.30 117 7.31 0.49 0.12 1.68 2.18 3.98 Ficus lutea Vahl Moraceae 5.53 45 12.65 0.56 0.14 0.29 0.84 1.27 Ficus sur Forsk. Moraceae 31 77 14.44 1.26 0.31 1.62 1.43 336 Funtumia elastica (Preuss) Stapf Apocynaceae 31.17 24 12.5 0.29 0.07 1.62 0.45 2.14 Garcinia kola Heckel Clusiaceae 11.84 100 8.39 0.55 0.13 0.62 1.86 2.61 Gmelina arborea Roxb. Lamiaceae 8.41 77 44.90 12.18 2.98 0.44 1.43 4.85 Gossypium barbadense L. Malvaceae 16.25 31 8.39 0.17 0.04 0.85 0.58 1.47 Hevea brasiliensis (Will. ex A. Juss.) Müll.Arg. Euphorbiaceae 18.28 71 41.79 9.74 2.38 0.95 1.20 4.65 Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte ex O'Rorke) Baill. Irvingiaceae 26.95 125 41.71 17.07 4.17 1.40 2.32 7.89 Jatropha curcas L. Euphorbiaceae 21.42 57 9.63 0.41 0.10 1.12 1.06 2.28 Macaranga heudelotii Baill. Euphorbiaceae 44.51 72 13.75 1.06 0.26 2.32 1.34 3.92 Mangifera indica L. Anacardiaceae 7.29 113 49.44 21.69 5.30 0.38 2.10 7.78 Margaritaria discoidea (Baill.) Webster Euphorbiaceae 11.77 66 11.08 0.63 0.15 0.61 1.23 1.99 Milicia excelsa (Welw.) C.C. Berg Moraceae 9.77 19 45.97 3.15 0.77 0.51 0.35 1.63 Milicia regia (A. Chev.) C.C. Berg Moraceae 30.43 101 47.84 18.16 4.44 1.59 1.88 7.91 Morinda lucida Benth. Rubiaceae 13.64 9 10 0.07 0.02 0.71 0.17 0.90 Musanga cecropioides R. Br. ex Tedlie Cecropiaceae 22.59 72 5.50 0.17 0.04 1.18 1.34 2.56 Myrianthus arboreus P. Beauv. Urticaceae 13.27 114 46.99 19.76 4.83 0.69 2.12 7,64 Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv.) Seem ex Bureau Bignoniaceae 9.68 16 14.92 0.28 0.07 0.50 0.30 0.87 Parkia bicolor A. Chev. Fabaceae 7.64 129 7.67 0.59 0.14 0.40 2.40 2.94 World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 1063-1075 1069 Pentaclethra macrophylla Benth. Fabaceae 30.57 91 11.79 0.99 0.24 1.59 1.69 3.52 Persea americana Mill. Lauraceae 8.80 82 48.64 15.23 3.72 0.46 1.53 5.71 Petersianthus africanus (Welw. ex Benth. and Hook. f.) Merr. Lecythidaceae 11.26 126 47.51 22.34 5.46 0.59 2.34 8.39 Picralima nitida (Stapf) T. Durand and H. Durand Apocynaceae 18.49 114 14.64 1.9152 0.47 0.96 2.12 3.55 Pinus caribaea Morelet Pinaceae 37.48 80 45.54 13.03 3.18 1.95 1.49 6.62 Psidium guajava L. Myrtaceae 7.08 61 7.12 0.24 0.06 0.37 1.13 1.56 Pterygota macrocarpa K. Schum. Malvaceae 38.19 21 7.22 0.08 0.02 1.99 0.39 2.40 Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw.) Warb. Myristicaceae 7.04 29 42.19 4.05 0.99 0.37 0.54 1.90 Ricinodendron heudelotii (Baill.) Pierre ex Pax Euphorbiaceae 44.01 34 45.70 5.57 1.36 2.29 0.63 4.28 Spondias mombin L. Anacardiaceae 22.68 26 44.52 4.04 0.99 1.18 0.48 2.65 Sterculia oblonga Mast. Malvaceae 44.02 115 14.70 1.95 0.48 2.29 2.14 4.91 Tamarindus indica L. Fabaceae 28.40 30 11.81 0.33 0.08 1.48 0.56 2.12 Tarrietia utilis (Sprague) Sprague Malvaceae 34.05 85 40.85 11.14 2.72 1.77 1.58 6.07 Tectona grandis L. f. Lamiaceae 4.65 65 5.56 0.15 0.04 0.24 1.21 1.49 Terminalia catappa L. Combretaceae 14.88 126 44.88 19.93 4.87 0.78 2.34 7.99 Terminalia ivorensis A. Chev. Combretaceae 8.05 123 48.81 23.01 5.62 0.42 2.29 8.33 Terminalia laxifolia Engl. Combretaceae 15.44 122 14.76 2.08 0.51 0.80 2.27 3.58 Trema africanus (Planch.) Blume Cannabaceae 7.99 66 46.18 1105 2.70 0.42 1.23 4.35 Voacanga africana Stapf Apocynaceae 16.36 88 45.42 14.25 3.48 0.85 1.64 5.97 Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich. Annonaceae 20.4 38 48.55 7.03 1.72 1.06 0.71 3.49 Abbreviations: AFr - Absolute Frequency; RD - Relative Density; RDo - Relative dominance; RFr - Relative Frequency; IVI - Importance Value Index These species are divided into 27 families, the most important of which are (Figure 2): • the Fabaceae family with 16 species, representing 19.51% of the total number of species recorded; World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 1063-1075 1070 • the Malvaceae family with 9 species, representing 10.97% of the total number of species; • the Moraceae family with 7 species, representing 8.53% of the total number of species; • the Euphorbiaceae family with 6 species, representing 8.53% of the total number of species; • the Apocynaceae and Rutaceae families, each represented by 5 identified species; • the Anacardiaceae, Annonaceae, Combretaceae, and Rubiaceae families, each represented by 3 species (3.65% of species each); the Meliaceae, Lamiaceae, Myrtaceae, and Pyllanthaceae families, each represented by 2 species (2.56% of species each). The remaining 13 families, grouped under the term “others” and each represented by one species, constitute 15.85% of the total number of species. Generic diversity remains notable, with a total of 60 genera recorded. The Fabaceae family includes nine genera, followed by the Malvaceae with eight genera, and then the Euphorbiaceae with six genera. The Apocynaceae family has five genera, followed by the Anacardiaceae and Moraceae, each represented by three genera, as well as the Annonaceae, Lamiaceae, Meliaceae, Myrtaceae, Rubiaceae, and Urticaceae, each represented by two genera. The other families have only one genus. In terms of number of species, Albizia and Citrus are the most represented with five species each, followed by Ficus with four species, Terminalia with three species, then Acacia, Afzelia, Annona, Baphia, Bombax, Bridelia, Coffea and Milicia, each with two species. Figure 2 Proportion of families most represented in terms of number of species Table 2 shows the species richness and diversity indices of woody species in the cocoa plantations at the four sites surveyed. The specific richness varies from 39 species in Toroguhé to 77 species in Zépréguhé. The greatest floristic richness was observed in the cocoa plantations of Zépréguhé (77 species), followed by those of Briboua (65 species) and Zakoua (48 species), while the lowest value was recorded in Toroguhé (39 species). Shannon diversity indices range from 2.16 in Toroguhé to 3.93 in Zépréguhé. The differences observed between sites are statistically significant (F = 45.78; P < 0.0001). Piélou's evenness varies from 0.59 to 0.91. The lowest value is observed in Toroguhé (0.59), reflecting a strong dominance of a few species. Conversely, the high values recorded in Zépréguhé (0.91) and Briboua (0.88) indicate a better distribution of individuals among species. Zakoua (0.82) occupies an intermediate position with a relatively homogeneous population. The differences observed between the average indices of cocoa plantations according to site are statistically significant (F = 58.63; P < 0.003). World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 28(01), 1063-1075 1071 Table 2 Species richness and diversity indices of the different cocoa plantations studied Sites Number of cocoa farms Number of species Shannon index Piélou equitability Briboua 5 65 ±20a 3,65±0,84a 0,88±0,12b Toroguhé 5 39 ±7b 2,16±0,36b 0,59±0,04c Zakoua 5 48 ±15b 3,19±0,04ab 0,82±0,09b Zépréguhé 5 77 ±86a 3,93±0,92a 0,910,08a Within the same column, values followed by the same letter are not significantly different at the 5% level. 3.2. Frequency and basal area of woody species in cocoa plantations Table 1 also shows the floristic composition of cocoa plantations in the area. The most common species in the plots are Albizia lebbeck (43.47%), Bauhinia rufescens (44.1%), Ricinodendron heudelotii (44.01%), Albizia glaberrima (40.45%), Baphia nitida (39.54%), Pterygota macrocarpa (38.19%), Alchornea cordifolia (36.25%), Blighia sapida (36.56%) and Azadirachta indica (37.97%). They are followed by Coffea canephora (42.64%), Annona muricata (41.88%), Macaranga heudelotii (44.51%), Sterculia oblonga (44.02%), Terminalia catappa (14.88%), Terminalia ivorensis (8.05%), Milicia regia (30.43%), Persea americana (8.80%), Petersianthus africanus (11.26%), Myrianthus arboreus (13.27%) and Mangifera indica (7.29%). However, the other species had a specific frequency of less than 8%. Table 1 also shows the basal area of the species recorded in the cocoa p lantations. Ten species have the largest basal areas, notably Terminalia ivorensis (23.01 m²), Petersianthus africanus (22.33 m²/ha), Mangifera indica (21.69 m²/ha), Citrus aurantium (20.26 m²/ha), Terminalia catappa (19.93 m²/ha), Cecropia peltata (19.15 m²/ha), Myrianthus arboreus (19.76 m²/ha), Azadirachta indica (14.68 m²/ha), Irvingia gabonensis (17.07 m²/ha), Adansonia digitata (13.68 m²/ha), Anthocleista nobilis (13.34 m²/ha), Gmelina arborea (12.18 m²/ha). Twenty-one species have an intermediate basal area (between 1.5 and 12 m²/ha) and play a significant role in the structure of cocoa plantations, including Carapa procera (9.63m²/ha), Hevea brasiliensis (9.74 m²/ha), Ceiba pentandra (8.32 m²/ha), Afzelia africana (8 m²/ha) and Alstonia boonei (9.38 m²/ha). In addition, 28 species have a basal area of less than 1.5 m²/ha, including Albizia adiantifolia (0.12 m²/ha), Citrus limon (0.11 m²/ha), Albizia zygia (0.05 m²/ha) and Coffea arabica (0.04 m²/ha). This distribution highlights the dominance of a few fast-growing trees and the presence of a group of intermediate and slow-growing species, contributing to the structural diversity of the cocoa plantations in the area. 3.3. Ecological importance of woody species in cocoa plantations Table 1 also presents the importance value index (IVI) of the different woody species recorded in the cocoa plantations studied. This index, which combines relative frequency, density, and dominance, makes it possible to assess the ecological and structural role of species within stands. The results reveal marked floristic diversity, with highly variable levels of importance depending on the taxon. Among the 82 species inventoried, three stand out with a high IVI of over 6: Adansonia digitata (IVI = 6.44), Azadirachta indica (IVI = 7.60), Cecropia peltata (IVI = 7.97), Citrus aurantium (IVI = 8.14), Irvingia gabonensis (IVI = 7.89), Mangifera indica (IVI = 7.78), Milicia regia (IVI = 7.91), Myrianthus arboreus (IVI = 7.64), Petersianthus africanus (IVI = 8.39), Pinus caribaea (IVI = 6.62), Tarrietia utilis (IVI = 6.07), Terminalia catappa (IVI = 7.99), Terminalia ivorensis (IVI = 8.33). In contrast, more than 37 species have an IVI of less than 3, reflecting their low abundance and reduced dominance. Among these are Bridelia ferruginea (IVI = 0.52), Newbouldia laevis (IVI = 0.87), Citrus limon (IVI = 0.88), Morinda lucida (0.99), Calotropis procera (IVI = 1), Antiaris toxicaria var. africana (IVI = 1.14), Annona squarnosa (IVI = 1.3), Albizia zygia (IVI = 1.34), Ficus lutea (IVI = 1.47), Bombax buenopozense (IVI = 1.92) and Jatropha curcas (IVI = 2.28). This distribution highlights the coexistence of a small number of dominant species, essential to the structure and functioning of the cocoa plantations surveyed and a large number of secondary species which, although poorly represented, contribute to the floristic richness and ecological stability of these cocoa plantations in the face of disturbances caused by local agricultural practices. 3.4. Distribution of tree diameters in cocoa plantations The diameter classes of trees in cocoa plantations provide a useful reference for understanding the structure of plant populations in these plantations. Figure 3 shows that the number of trees per diameter class within cocoa plantations, depending on the site, decreases as the diameter increases. The overall histogram has an inverted "J" shape, characterized by a high proportion of individuals with a small diameter (≤ 10 cm).