Vegetation attributes in peri-urban agroforestry systems and their socio-economic determinants in Benin (West Africa)

As the world experiences unprecedented urbanization, particularly in Africa, urban areas face complex challenges of climate change, food security, and environmental sustainability. Peri-urban agroforestry systems (PUAFS) have emerged as promising solutions to address these issues. We investigated the socio-economic factors shaping tree diversity and density in PUAFS in Benin. Woody vegetation inventory and socio-economic data (e.g., gender, resident status, farm size, land tenure, and farming experience) were collected from 323 PUAFS in three climatic zones in Benin. To determine the set of socio-economic variables influencing tree density and diversity, a Generalized Linear Model (GLM) with a Poisson distribution was performed. Significant predictors from the GLM were used to fit a piecewise structural equation model (pSEM) which explored their direct and indirect influence on tree diversity and density. We found notable variations in tree diversity and density among climatic zones, with the wetter climatic areas exhibiting the highest diversity. The GLM and pSEM results indicate that resident status, farm size, and farmers’ willingness to plant trees on farm have a significant positive influence on tree density, while species richness was only positively influenced by farming experience and farmers’ willingness to plant trees on farm. As farmers gain more experience, their inclination to incorporate trees into their farms increases, resulting in higher tree density and greater species richness within PUAFS. This research study underscores the importance of considering socio-economic factors in agroforestry planning and management, highlighting the need for context-specific strategies to promote sustainable agroforestry practices in peri-urban areas.