Local knowledge regarding trade-offs among coffee productivity and other ecosystem services in a range of different agroforestry systems in Central America

Abstract

This thesis gathers and analyses the local knowledge regarding ecosystem services in coffee producing regions of Costa Rica, Guatemala and Nicaragua, and compares this knowledge across a range of farming conditions. The extent to which coffee agroforestry systeMON provide ecosystem services depends on local context and management practices. A variety of tree species was maintained in coffee plantations at all sites but a few tree species were dominant. The degree of shade tolerated was the main difference across countries and this was strongly related to socio-economic factors such as the prevailing demand for fuel wood. Applicable knowledge across sites as well as the key factors that determine how knowledge was locally applied was identified.