Modelling biodiversity responses to land use in areas of cocoa cultivation

Interest in economically and ecologically sustainable cocoa has grown recent years. Cocoa-based agroforestry systems are promoted as a potential win-win option for long-term yields, multiple benefits, the preservation of biodiversity. Yet, even though studies have shown such agroforests can support biodiversity, their value relative to natural areas open-land is not fully known. We estimated biodiversity intactness (BII) different land uses associated with cocoa-driven land-use change using mixed-effects models. distinguished between established under shade those from open land, compared these intensively cropland (including monoculture), primary secondary forest. found that species richness cocoa-based systems, both planted shade, was lower than forests but higher systems. However, we history influenced agroforests: whilst open-land-derived forest-derived share similar richness, community similarity forest The results highlight high levels BII be sustained by retaining existing also incentivising enhance degraded delivering co-benefits. Importantly, planning seeking achieve benefits should consider direction use transitions.