Cocoa farming patterns for sustainability of Indonesia Lore Lindu National Park (LLNP)

Abstract

This research assesses the effects of different patterns of cocoa farming at the margin areas of Lore Lindu National Park (LLNP) forest by estimating species richness, density of vegetation, biomass potential, litter production, litter decomposition rates and farming income. Research was conducted in the LLNP, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Five patterns of cocoa farming systems were considered: cocoa farming + mixed wood trees (agroforestry complex), cocoa farming + fruit trees (agroforestry simple), cocoa farming + candlenut trees (agroforestry simple), cocoa farming + teak trees (agroforestry simple), and monoculture cocoa farming. Five sample plots were made in each cocoa-farming pattern, sized 20 × 20 m for tree vegetation sampling. Subplots of 10 × 10 m, 5 × 5 m, and 2 × 2 m were used to sample vegetation at earlier growth stages. The results showed that using a pattern of cocoa + mixed wood trees (agroforestry complex) produced the highest biomass. A pattern of cocoa + candlenut gave the highest average income per year, but the pattern of cocoa + mixed wood trees did differ significantly from that using candlenut. It is suggested that cocoa farming with mixed wood trees (agroforestry complex) along the perimeter of the LLNP forest will support the sustainability in biodiversity, water catchment areas and disaster control.