GREENHOUSE GAS FLUXES IN COCOA PRODUCTION SYSTEMS: A REVIEW OF MANAGEMENT IMPACTS AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/revgeov17n1-166Keywords:
Agroforestry Systems, Climate Change, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Carbon Sequestration, Atlantic ForestAbstract
In the face of the global climate crisis, the Atlantic Forest, a biodiversity hotspot with only 24% of its original coverage remaining, faces the critical challenge of reconciling agricultural production and conservation. In this context, the conversion of natural ecosystems into agricultural systems has intensified greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, especially in tropical regions. On the other hand, cocoa farming plays a relevant role in the conservation of the Atlantic Forest, with different production arrangements such as complex agroforestry systems, cabruca (coastal plantation systems), and full-sun monocultures. This review systematizes knowledge about greenhouse gas fluxes (CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O) in cocoa farming, comparing the impact of conventional monocultures with the resilience of agroforestry systems (AFS). While full-sun production intensifies emissions and soil degradation, evidence reveals that the cabruca system acts as a vital regulator, providing microclimatic stability and carbon stocks comparable to those of native forests. The analysis demonstrates that the structural complexity of agroforestry systems (AFS) not only mitigates global warming but also regenerates the physical, chemical, and biological attributes of the soil, guaranteeing essential ecosystem services. However, gaps persist related to the scarcity of long-term studies, methodological standardization, and calibration of biogeochemical models for tropical agroforestry systems. It is concluded that the adoption of agroforestry systems in cocoa farming constitutes a promising strategy to reconcile agricultural production, environmental conservation, and climate change mitigation in the Atlantic Forest.
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