Woody Plant Diversity and Structure of Shade-Grown-Coffee Plantations in Northern Chiapas, Mexico

background

This article presents research on coffee stand structure and diversity, with data collected from 61 coffee plots in Chiapas, Mexico.

Research Goals & Methods

The following variables were measured: coffee density, slope, plot aspect, the number of individuals of each shade species (divided into 9 diametric classes), number of strata, species use, and presence of woody plant species.

Conclusions & Takeaways

Five distinct strata were found: 1 herbaceous stratum, 2 shrubby strata, and 2 tree strata. In total, 77 tree species were identified across the plots and 90% were native species; the native species were representative of 40% of the local flora. The average tree density was 371.4 trees per hectare and the average species richness was 3.2 species per 100m². The diametric distribution was similar to secondary forest, with over 40% of all trees found within the smallest diametric class. The most common species were: Inga pavoniana, Inga punctata,Heliocarpus appendiculatus, Neurolaena lobata, Belotia mexicana, Inga sapindioides, and Croton draco. The authors emphasize the important role that shade-grown coffee may play for biodiversity conservation.