Tropentag, September 16 - 18, 2026, Göttingen "Towards multi-functional agro-ecosystems promoting climate-resilient futures"

Multi-functional landscapes in Lake Bosomtwe: Tree diversity and land use as drivers of NTFP provision and climate resilience

¹CSIR-Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, Forest Improvement and productivity, Ghana
²Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Germany
³Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Forestry Research Institute of Ghana
⁴Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Department for Forest Utilization and Timber Markets, Germany

Abstract

Abstract
Land-use change in forest landscapes plays a critical role in influencing ecosystem functionality, with consequences for biodiversity conservation, rural livelihoods, and climate resilience. This study examines how tree species diversity and composition across four dominant land-use systems, including closed forest, fallow/secondary forest, cocoa farms, and arable land, drive the provision of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and contribute to climate-resilient landscape dynamics in the Lake Bosomtwe landscapes of Ghana. A purposive stratified sampling design involving nine quadrats, each of size 25×25 m, was established in each land-use type for the enumeration of trees and their ecological attributes. All inventory tree species were identified to species level by a botanist and confirmed with the help of a photo guide (manual) of trees in Ghana. The data were analysed to estimate diversity indices (species richness and Shannon diversity) and assess compositional variation across land uses. These ecological attributes were then linked to the availability and diversity of key NTFPs of socio-economic importance to local communities. The results reveal significant variation in tree species diversity and composition among land-use types. Closed forests and fallow/secondary forests exhibited the highest levels of species richness and structural complexity, supporting a wider range of NTFPs. Cocoa farms, while less diverse than natural forests, retained considerable tree cover and contributed meaningfully to NTFP provision due to the integration of shade trees. In contrast, arable lands showed markedly reduced tree diversity and limited NTFP availability. Importantly, higher tree diversity and structurally complex systems were positively associated with indicators of climate resilience, including enhanced carbon storage potential and the presence of functionally diverse, stress-tolerant species. These findings underscore the importance of maintaining and promoting tree diversity within multi-functional landscapes to sustain ecosystem services. Integrating tree-based systems such as cocoa agroforestry and conserving secondary and closed forests can enhance NTFP provision while strengthening climate resilience. The study highlights the need for landscape-level management strategies that reconcile agricultural production with biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation goals in tropical regions.

Keywords: Climate resilience, Lake Bosomtwe, land-use, NTFP, tree diversity

Contact Address: Emmanuel Opuni-Frimpong, CSIR-Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, Forest Improvement and productivity, Kumasi, Ghana, e-mail: eopunifrgmail.com