Bird Assemblages in Coffee Agroforestry Systems and Other Human Modified Habitats in Indonesia

Background

Deforestation in tropical regions such as Indonesia is mainly driven by need for agricultural expansion. Agroforestry systems for a major agricultural crop, coffee, are becoming increasingly popular as the need for forest restoration is more apparent. Coffee agroforestry provides benefits to biodiversity, though specific impacts of coffee shade trees on bird populations outside of the Neotropics and Africa are understudied. Birds are a highly important taxa and serve many vital ecological roles.

Goals and Methods

The authors conduct a field survey across Java Island, Indonesia in order to understand the responses of birds  to varying agroforestry types. They specifically aim to assess the effects of shade tree removal on bird diversity and abundance within agriculture systems.

Conclusions and Takeaways

The authors conclude that coffee agroforestry and commercial polyculture coffee provide habitat to sustain similar levels of bird populations. However, coffee agroforestry systems house a higher proportion of nectar, insect, and fruit eating bird species. These findings are important to consider when implementing restorative farming practices and creating habitat for pollinators and seed dispersers.