Coffee production, timber, and firewood in traditional and Inga-shaded plantations
Traditional Mexican coffee plantations, with a diverse shade of native tree species, are being replaced by coffee monocultures shaded by trees of the genus Inga, resulting in loss of biodiversity and ecological services. Coffee production is said to benefit by Inga shade, but few on-field experiments were done to support this hypothesis. Secondary production (timber, firewood, fruits, medicines, etc.) is probably lower in Inga-shaded coffee plantations, and that loss could counteract benefits from increased coffee production. We measured and compared coffee production, present stock of timber, and aboveground tree biomass as an indicator of firewood production, for plots in traditional and in Inga-shaded plantations in Plan Paredón, Chiapas, Mexico. Coffee production was similar in both plantation types. Timber production was significantly higher in traditional plantations, and amounted to ten times the timber production in Inga-shaded plantations. Total tree biomass was significantly higher in traditional coffee plantations, but not biomass of tree species apt for firewood. However, we suspect firewood production could be higher in traditional plantations. We see no reason to replace traditional plantations by Inga-shaded ones in order to increase production in the plantations studied.
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Texto biblioteca |
| Language: | eng |
| Published: |
San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas, México El Colegio de la Frontera Sur
2001
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| Subjects: | Plantas de sombra, Inga (Fabaceae), Sistemas agroforestales, Economía agrícola, Café, Agricultura tradicional, Frosur, |
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