Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 78-86 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | African journal of ecology |
| Volume | 48 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Feb 2010 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Abstract
Coffea arabica occurs naturally in the montane rainforests of Ethiopia, but large areas of these unique forests have been converted to other land-uses. In the remaining forest, wild coffee is managed and harvested with increasing intensity because of rising coffee prices in the world market. This study evaluated the impact of coffee management on wild coffee populations and the forest vegetation as a basis for conservation planning in southwestern Ethiopia. Vegetation surveys and yield assessments were carried out in unmanaged natural forest and in managed semi-forest coffee (SFC) systems. Analyses show that wild coffee density and coffee yields were low in natural forest (max. 15 kg ha-1 year-1). In SFC systems, 30% of the canopy trees and most undergrowth vegetation were removed. This stimulated wild coffee growth and strongly enhanced yields (max. 54 kg ha-1 year-1), but severely disturbed forest structure. Species richness increased by 26% because of an increase in species of ruderal and secondary vegetation; however, species richness and abundance of typical forest species declined. Conservation of the natural forest therefore requires the control of wild coffee management. Wild coffee certification is discussed as one tool to reconcile conservation measures and the interests of local farmers.
Keywords
- Certification, Coffea arabica, Coffee yield, Conservation, Forest disturbance, Ordination
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Sustainable Development Goals
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In: African journal of ecology, Vol. 48, No. 1, 01.02.2010, p. 78-86.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Wild coffee management and plant diversity in the montane rainforest of southwestern Ethiopia
AU - Schmitt, Christine B.
AU - Senbeta, Feyera
AU - Denich, Manfred
AU - Preisinger, Helmut
AU - Boehmer, Hans Juergen
PY - 2010/2/1
Y1 - 2010/2/1
N2 - Coffea arabica occurs naturally in the montane rainforests of Ethiopia, but large areas of these unique forests have been converted to other land-uses. In the remaining forest, wild coffee is managed and harvested with increasing intensity because of rising coffee prices in the world market. This study evaluated the impact of coffee management on wild coffee populations and the forest vegetation as a basis for conservation planning in southwestern Ethiopia. Vegetation surveys and yield assessments were carried out in unmanaged natural forest and in managed semi-forest coffee (SFC) systems. Analyses show that wild coffee density and coffee yields were low in natural forest (max. 15 kg ha-1 year-1). In SFC systems, 30% of the canopy trees and most undergrowth vegetation were removed. This stimulated wild coffee growth and strongly enhanced yields (max. 54 kg ha-1 year-1), but severely disturbed forest structure. Species richness increased by 26% because of an increase in species of ruderal and secondary vegetation; however, species richness and abundance of typical forest species declined. Conservation of the natural forest therefore requires the control of wild coffee management. Wild coffee certification is discussed as one tool to reconcile conservation measures and the interests of local farmers.
AB - Coffea arabica occurs naturally in the montane rainforests of Ethiopia, but large areas of these unique forests have been converted to other land-uses. In the remaining forest, wild coffee is managed and harvested with increasing intensity because of rising coffee prices in the world market. This study evaluated the impact of coffee management on wild coffee populations and the forest vegetation as a basis for conservation planning in southwestern Ethiopia. Vegetation surveys and yield assessments were carried out in unmanaged natural forest and in managed semi-forest coffee (SFC) systems. Analyses show that wild coffee density and coffee yields were low in natural forest (max. 15 kg ha-1 year-1). In SFC systems, 30% of the canopy trees and most undergrowth vegetation were removed. This stimulated wild coffee growth and strongly enhanced yields (max. 54 kg ha-1 year-1), but severely disturbed forest structure. Species richness increased by 26% because of an increase in species of ruderal and secondary vegetation; however, species richness and abundance of typical forest species declined. Conservation of the natural forest therefore requires the control of wild coffee management. Wild coffee certification is discussed as one tool to reconcile conservation measures and the interests of local farmers.
KW - Certification
KW - Coffea arabica
KW - Coffee yield
KW - Conservation
KW - Forest disturbance
KW - Ordination
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=76649093915&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1365-2028.2009.01084.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1365-2028.2009.01084.x
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:76649093915
VL - 48
SP - 78
EP - 86
JO - African journal of ecology
JF - African journal of ecology
SN - 0141-6707
IS - 1
ER -