a b s t r a c t
The potential for tree components of coffee agroforestry systems to provide ecosystem services is widely
recognized. Management practices are a key factor in the amount and quality of ecosystem services provided.
There is relatively abundant information on ecosystem services provision within agroforestry systems,
but comparatively scant information regarding how coffee farmers manage their plantations, the
factors influencing their farming practices and the extent to which farmers’ local knowledge – as opposed
to global scientific understanding – underpins management decisions. Policymakers and scientists too
frequently design development programs and projects in the coffee sector. On occasion technicians are
included in the design process, but farmers and their knowledge are always excluded. This research
explores farmers’ knowledge regarding how trees affect coffee productivity and ecosystem services in
Costa Rica. Farmers’ knowledge on the effects of trees on coffee productivity was compared with that
of other knowledge sources: coffee processors, technicians and scientists. Farmers were shown to have
detailed knowledge regarding ecosystem services that their coffee agroforestry systems provide as well
as on the interactions between trees and coffee productivity. When asked on the services that trees provide,
farmers classified trees according to water protection, soil formation, or contribution to biodiversity
conservation. These classifications were related to tree attributes such as leaf size, biomass production or
root abundance. Comparison of coffee productivity knowledge from different knowledge sources
revealed considerable complementarity and little contradiction.
The effects of shade trees on biophysical conditions and their interactions with coffee productivity
were well understood by farmers. They recorded and classified shade trees as ‘fresh’ (suitable for integration
with coffee) or ‘hot’ (unsuitable) based on their leaf texture and size, foliage density, crown shape,
and root system attributes. The fresh/hot classification significantly related to positive/negative provision
of services. This classification was widely used by farmers, and unknown by coffee technicians.
Detailed local knowledge included several different topics, such as the role of trees in soil formation
and in abundance of pollinators. Farmers were also aware of the influence of these ecosystem services
on crop productivity. Generally, management decisions were made to maintain coffee productivity rather
than ecosystem services. Based on these results, it is suggested that technical interventions addressing
the improvement of coffee plantations are more likely to be successful if they take into account not only
the scientific information on agroforestry interactions but also the knowledge possessed by farmers. Lack
of comprehension of local coffee knowledge could be expected to reduce the success of development programs
and projects aimed at improving productivity or other ecosystem services