Summary: Cacao agroforestry systems offer benefits like greenhouse gas mitigation and improved soil health, crucially influenced by tree species selection. In an Ecuadorian Amazon study, we evaluated soil health indicators in cacao agroforestry systems including monoculture and combinations with Cedrelinga, Bactris, and Erythrina trees. “Timber” and “mixed” systems showed enhanced biological indicators such as earthworm abundance and soil respiration compared to monocultures. Chemical and physical soil properties and cacao yields did not significantly differ among treatments after five years. Understanding these dynamics informs sustainable management practices in cacao agroforestry systems, emphasizing biodiversity’s role in soil health and ecosystem resilience.
