Spider species richness in cocoa agroforestry systems, comparing vertical strata, local management and distance to forest

► Strong vertical stratification of free hunting spider species in cocoa plantations. ► Spider communities of herb layer exhibited highest variability in species composition. ► Positive impact of herb cover on spider abundance and species richness, affecting all habitat strata. ► With distance to forest there was a shift of species dominance in favour of generalists.