Influence of elaeicultural agroecosystem types on carbon storage in a monomodal rainforest agroecological zone

Over the past 40 years, the forest ecosystem of Ngwei Commune has been degraded mainly by the introduction of different types of palm oil plantations, such as agroforestry village palm plantations (VP) and monoculture elitist palm plantations (EP). These plantations have been established on homogeneous soils, often after deforestation. The study aimed to analyse carbon stocks in these two types of oil palm plantations in the presence of the vegetation types adjacent to them (abandoned palm plantations =AB and reference forest =FO). Three sampling techniques were used to collect data on epigeous and hypogeous carbon stocks: stratified, quadrat and multi-storey sampling. These methods were used to measure above-ground and below-ground biomass in plantations, abandoned palm plantations and adjacent forests. The results showed that the abandoned palm plantations (AB) had the highest carbon levels (8.5 tC.ha ^-1 ), due to the natural regeneration of the vegetation. The intensively managed elitist palm plantations (EP) had significantly lower carbon stocks (5.8 tC.ha ^-1 ). The poor performance of the carbon stock of the reference forests (FO) (7.3 tC.ha ^-1 ) compared with the abandoned palm plantations although higher than the elitist palm plantations demonstrates the state of degradation of the reference forests. Statistical tests revealed significant differences between types of farming systems, with implications for palm grove management and conservation policy. Abandoned palm plantations, with higher carbon sequestration potential, and reference forests should be protected, while sustainable agroecological practices in village palm plantations could improve their carbon storage potential. The study highlights the importance of preserving natural ecosystems and adopting sustainable agricultural practices to promote carbon sequestration.