Assessing the Role of Agroforestry in Enhancing Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Change Adaptation in Santchou Subdivision, West Region of Cameroon

Agroforestry is widely recognised as multifunctional strategy for biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation in tropical agricultural landscapes. This study assessed the contribution of agroforestry practices to on-farm biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation among smallholder farming households in Santchou Subdivision, west region of Cameroon. A cross-sectional mixed-method research design was employed, combining a semi-structured household questionnaire administered to 155 farming households, direct farm observation on 35 farms, 5 focus group discussions, and 5 key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests (α= 0.05), while qualitative data were analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-phase framework. The results revealed that agroforestry farms actively support on-farm biodiversity through multilayered vegetation (90.3%), widespread bird activity (92.2%), insect activity (87.1%), and natural regeneration on 60.0% of observed farms. Tree density was the strongest predictor of biodiversity outcomes and climate resilience including soil moisture retention (p<0.001), crop failure reduction (p=0.002), and yield stability (p= 0.023). Tree species diversity independently predicted soil moisture conservation (p=0.011). Both null hypothesis were rejected for 4 of 5 associations tested. Iroko (Milicia excelsa) was present on 24.5% of farms and decline due to seedling unavailability. Farm structural quality outperformed farming experience as a predictor of outcomes across both biodiversity and climate dimensions. It is recommended that extension services and policy makers prioritise increasing tree density, diversify indigenous species, and formally integrate agroforestry into climate adaptation policies for smallholder farming landscapes across the western highlands of Cameroon and similar tropical highland farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa.

Keywords: Agroforestry; Biodiversity conservation; climate change adaptation; Tee density.