Biophysical criteria used by farmers for fallow selection in West and Central Africa

摘要: Abstract In many parts of the humid Tropics, slash and burn shifting cultivation, incorporating a fallow phase, is most common farming method, encompassing broad diversity techniques. The ecological productivity sustainability such systems depend upon crop:fallow time ratio. Farmers often have biophysical criteria by which to match parcels cropping decide, for example, when recultivate fallow. this paper, we collate reports indicators used farmers aid in choice from across agronomic, forestry, ecological, anthropological literature. We found 27 examples using indicators. Examples were eight countries West Central Africa. literature review showed that rank age usually first, followed vegetation composition, presence indicator plants, earthworm casts. 53 plant species identified region 37 said indicate soil fertility, 13 infertility 3 either fertility or infertility, depending on their growth characteristics. exhaustive lists plants reported southern Cameroon, Ashante Ghana south west Nigeria. Chromolaena odorata was frequently mentioned species. trees Triplochiton scleroxylon Terminalia superba grass each mentioned, generally as indicators, three areas. Other multiple times Aframomum sp., Andropogon gayanus, Ceiba pentandra, Milicia excelsa, Triumfetta cordifolia Trema guineensis. Africa selecting plots recultivate. Fallow age, particularly C. odorata, casts all some logical scientific basis observations are supported results studies. There lack documentation farmers’ knowledge more studies should be conducted. Such form foundation any suggested interventions provide information communities where not currently applied.