ABSTRACT
Traditional agroforestry with Vitellaria paradoxa prevalents in northern Benin and Togo. It contributes to a favorable microclimate and helps to increase agricultural yields. Today, this ancestral practice is highlighted against the background of efficient use of natural resources and its contribution to climate resilience. Data and field studies of 62 plots (20 m x 20 m) allowed to calculate the Shannon species richness index, the equilibrium of Pielou, and to determine the specific diversity of areas with agroforestry. Calculations of density, basal area, distribution by circumference class and height were used to analyse trees’ structure. It was found that areas dominated by Vitellaria paradoxa are not really diversified. The dendrometric structures of adult stems have a positive asymmetric distribution with the shape parameters (C = 1.26 m, C = 2.10 m and C = 2.57 m) using Weibull distribution. Coverage rate of the species distribution is 75%. However, traditional agroforestry based on Vitellaria paradoxa is one of the methods of soil protection and climate resilience. It helps to reduce erosion by surface runoff and promotes the near to ground convection process by evaporation.
