Biodiversity Conservation in Traditional Coffee Systems of Mexico

Background

This article discusses the capacity of traditional coffee agroforestry systems for maintaining biodiversity levels.

Research Goals & Methods

The authors describe five coffee plantation systems based on differing vegetational and structural complexity: (1) traditional rustic, (2) traditional polyculture, (3) commercial polyculture, (4) shaded monoculture, and (5) unshaded monoculture.

Conclusions & Takeaways

Traditional coffee systems were found to harbor the highest levels of biodiversity and biodiversity levels increased with the number of arboreal species. Of the total coffee growing area in Mexico, the authors estimate that 60% to 70% is under traditional management. The authors identify traditional coffee systems as important for inclusion in conservation efforts in Mexico, and point out that at least 14 of 155 priority conservation areas overlap with or are near traditional coffee plantations.