Coffee and Sustainability: The Multiple Values of Traditional Shaded Coffee

Abstract

Coffee is grown widely throughout the tropics on about 5 million farms from 85 countries. Several studies carried out during the last decade revealed the importance of traditional shaded coffee for biodiversity maintenance and protection. However, there is only biological and no interdisciplinary exploration of the multiple values and benefits of these agroforestry systems. We identify and review four kinds of nonbiological values, which complement its tested importance as a refuge for tropical biodiversity, as a contribution to the complete valuation of traditional shaded coffee. By briefly describing a case study in Mexico, we show how traditional shade-grown coffee is critical for areas where sustainable projects are being implemented. This article concludes by exploring three key dimensions of sustainability: economy, landscapes, and livelihoods.

Keywords:

• shaded coffee
• indigenous peoples
• biodiversity conservation
• sustainability
• tropical regions

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to P. Alarcon-Chaires for technical assistance, including the figure art, and to F. Eccardi, V. Evangelista, and E. Leyequien for providing useful data. N. Barrera-Bassols gave provided critical suggestions and editorial advice. The research in the Sierra Norte of Puebla was carried out as part of Project EO-018, supported by CONABIO (Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad) of Mexico. The authors thank I. Nigh, and especially Susanne Eckholm, for the English edition. This article was greatly benefited by the constructive suggestions of an anonymous reviewer.