Traditional taro monoculture in the swamp forest of Guadeloupe

Abstract : After a presentation of taro (Colocasia esculenta) and the native swamp forest of Guadeloupe dominated by Pterocarpus officinalis, the authors describe the agrosystem and discuss tree-crop interactions. They conclude that the agrosystem is sustainable and profitable in terms of cropping and forest conservation. This social and agricultural heritage could enhance the prospects for flooded agriculture involving water-tolerant nitrogen-fixing tree associations.