Tree species recorded in the cocoa landscape within the corridor area in the Western Region of Ghana.

Study Extent

The data points were taken at the proposed Ankasa-Bia-Krokosua ecological corridor that were found between latitudes 7.906669 North and 5.317087 South and longitudes-3.006151 West and -1.854438 East. The sampling period was done once on May 05, 2013. Ten (10) communities/villages were randomly selected across the study site, and in each community, ten (10) cocoa farms were randomly selected for the tree diversity assessments.

Sampling

In this assessment, a sampling process was adopted for estimating native and exotic tree species diversity. The process involved the direct use of field measurements using sample plots in the assessment of tree populations, distribution, diversity, and other statistical estimates. Ten (10) communities/villages were randomly selected across the study site, and in each community, ten (10) cocoa farms were randomly selected for the tree diversity assessments. Locations of all selected farms, together with important landmarks were determined using the GPS coordinates for purposes of superimposing them on appropriate land use maps. In each cocoa farm, elementary plots of 50 m x 50 m (2,500 m2) were demarcated, resulting in a total of 100 plots and a total sampling area of 25 ha (initially the plan was to use plots of 25 m x 25 m for the assessment but after a quick reconnaissance on the field it was necessary to scale up the plot size). All individual plants associated with cocoa, with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 10 cm were identified and recorded, and where identification on the field was not immediately possible specimens were collected and identified in the Herbarium at CSIR- FORIG. One key-informant per village was also interviewed to record main use of species (edible, medicinal, high value or low value timber amongst others).

Quality Control

Only tree species in cocoa farms were sampled and recorded. All measuring instruments were correctly calibrated. All recordings were made in uniform units. The sampling procedures were duly followed. All ten (10) sampled communities were randomly chosen within the Ankasa-Bia-Krokosua ecological corridor.

Method steps

1. All data points were entered in excel worksheet using the Darwin Core standard template for Core Taxon (Checklist) data and cleaned from errors using the filter on the excel worksheet. All names were resolved and verified or validated using the Global Name Resolver . The taxonID for instance RMSC:FIP:CTD:0001 was created using the institution code (e.g. RMSC), the name of the project (FIP), the type of data recorded (CTD i.e. Cocoa Trees Data) and the sequence of the records (e.g 0001 for the first tree species species in cocoa farms recorded).
   The cleaned checklist datasets were then uploaded into the OpenRefine software for further cleaning and the cleaned dataset was then downloaded as text file and uploaded into the IPT for publishing by filling and completing all required metadata associated with the dataset Data for the purpose of the publication was darwin core formatted. Scientific names were crossed using the Global name resolver tool and verified using the GBIF backbone Taxonomy and Catalogue of Life. Further cleanings were also done using the OpenRefine.

All tree plants were identified to the species level or rank.

1. Alstonia boonei De Wild.
2. Amphimas pterocarpoides Harms
3. Albizia ferruginea (Guill. & Perr.)Benth.
4. Albizia zygia (DC.)J.F.Macbr.
5. Albizia ferruginea (Guill. & Perr.)Benth.
6. Anacardium occidentale L.
7. Anthocleista nobilis G. Don
8. Anthocleista vogelii Planch.
9. Antiaris toxicaria A Lesch.
10. Anthrocaryon micraster A.Chev. & Guillaumin
11. Blighia sapida K.D.Koenig
12. Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn
13. Bombax buonopozense P.Beauv.
14. Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn
15. Celtis mildbraedii Engl.
16. Celtis zenkeri Engl.
17. Cola gigantea A.Chev.
18. Cola nitida (Vent.) Schott & Endl.
19. Daniella ogea Rolfe
20. Dialium dinklagei Harms
21. Chrysophyllum pruniforme Engl.
22. Citrus sinensis Pers.
23. Cocos nucifera L.
24. Diospyros abyssinica (Hiern) F.White
25. Discoglypremna caloneura (Pax) Prain
26. Dracaena arborea K.Koch
27. Discoglypremna caloneura (Pax) Prain
28. Elaeis guineensis Jacq.
29. Entandophragma angolense (Welw.) C.DC.
30. Ficus exasperata Vahl
31. Ficus sur Forssk.
32. Glyphaea brevis (Spreng.) Monachino
33. Holarrhena floribunda (G.Don) T.Durand & Schinz
34. Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte ex O'Rorke) Bail
35. Discoglypremna caloneura (Pax) Prain
36. Gliricidia sepium Kunth ex Steud.
37. Mangifera indica L.
38. Lannea welwtschii (Hiern) Engl.
39. Mareya micrantha (Benth.) Mull.Arg.
40. Margaritaria discoidea (Baill.) G.L.Webster
41. Milicia excelsa (Welw.) C.C. Berg
42. Morinda lucida Benth.
43. Morus mesozygia Stapf
44. Musanga cecropioides Tedlie
45. Milicia regia (A. Chev.) C.C.
46. Millettia chrysophylla Dunn
47. Moringa oleifera Lam.
48. Okuobaka aubrevillei Pellegr. & Normand
49. Persea americana Mill.
50. Myrianthus arboreus Beauv.
51. Pouteria aningeri Baehni
52. Trichilia martineaui Aubrev. & Pellegr.
53. Cecropia peltata L.
54. Trichoscypha arborea (A. Chev.) A. Chev.
55. Nesogordonia papaverifera (A. Cheval.) Capuron
56. Newbouldia laevis Schumach. & Thonn.
57. Petersianthus macrocarpus Liben
58. Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw.) Warb.
59. Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel.
60. Ricinodendron heudelotii Pierre ex Pax
61. Spathodea campanulata Buch.-Ham. ex DC.
62. Sterculia oblongata R. Br.
63. Sterculia tragacantha Lindl.
64. Strombosia glaucascens Engl.
65. Terminalia ivorensis A. Chev
66. Terminalia superba Engl. & Diels
67. Trema orientalis (L.) Bl.
68. Trichilia monadelpha (Thonn.) J. de Wilde
69. Trichilia tessmannii Harms
70. Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum.
71. Voacanga africana Stapf
72. Zanthoxylum gilletti (de Wildeman) Waterman
73. Erythrina milbraedii Harms
74. Harunguna madagascariensis Poir.

The checklist dataset was taken from decimal latitudes 7.906669 North and 5.317087 South and decimal longitudes-3.006151 West and -1.854438 East.