Biodiversity and Key Ecosystem Services in Agroforestry Coffee Systems in the Brazilian Atlantic

168 Pages·2012·2.28 MB·English

Biodiversity and Key Ecosystem Services in Agroforestry Coffee
Systems in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest Biome

Helton Nonato de Souza
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Thesis committee

Thesis supervisors
Prof. dr. L. Brussaard
Professor of Soil Biology and Biological Soil Quality, Wageningen University

Prof. dr. I.M. Cardoso
Department of Soils, Federal University of Viçosa, Brazil

Thesis co-supervisors
Dr. M.M. Pulleman
Researcher, Department of Soil Quality, Wageningen University

Dr. R .G.M de Goede
Assistant professor, Department of Soil Quality, Wageningen University

Other members
Prof. dr. P. Kabat, Wageningen University
Prof. dr. B.J.M. Arts, Wageningen University
Dr. ir. J. de Graaff, Wageningen University
Prof. dr. R.G.A. Boot, Utrecht University

This research was conducted under the auspices of the C. T. de Wit Graduate School of
Production Ecology and Resource Conservation
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Biodiversity and Key Ecosystem Services in Agroforestry Coffee
Systems in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest Biome

Helton Nonato de Souza

Thesis
submitted in fulfilment of the requirements
for the degree of doctor
at Wageningen University
by the authority of the Rector Magnificus
Prof. dr. M.J. Kropff,
in the presence of the
Thesis Committee appointed by the Academic Board
to be defended in public
on Wednesday 18 January 2012
at 4 p.m. in the Aula.

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Helton Nonato de Souza
Biodiversity and Key Ecosystem Services in Agroforestry Coffee Systems in the Brazilian
Atlantic Rainforest Biome

Thesis, Wageningen University, Wageningen, NL (2012)
With references, with summaries in Dutch and English
ISBN 978-94-6173-109-8
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Dedication

To my mom, Maria das Graças (Gracita, in memoriam) who taught me to be brave, persistent
without losing the sense of humanity.
To my brother, Geraldo (in memoriam) who taught me that to pursue dreams we have to build
our own way.

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Abstract

This thesis reports the results of long-term experimentation (since 1993) of family farmers
with agroforestry (AF) coffee systems in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest region, a highly
fragmented and threatened biodiversity hotspot. The farmers used native trees from forest
fragments during a transition from the predominant full sun-coffee (SC) production to more
diversified agriculture. The aim of the research was to gain understanding of different
agricultural management systems within the complex landscape matrix with respect to
farmers’ capacity to diminish negative impacts on the environment, based on an ecosystem
services approach.
Participatory Rural Appraisal was used to obtain data from the family farmers. A
method of systematization of their experiments created platforms for reflexion and
development of agroforestry systems for farmers, technicians and researchers beyond only
listing the negative and positive results. Long-term effects of coffee agroforestry (AF), full-
sun coffee (SC) systems and surrounding reference forest fragments (RF) were assessed on:
tree biodiversity, microclimate, soil quality, costs of labour and inputs and profitability.
Selection of appropriate tree species was essential to the success of agroforestry. The main
criteria for selecting tree species by farmers were: compatibility with coffee, amount of tree
biomass produced, diversification of the production and the labour needed for tree
management. The farmers used 85 tree species across the area, 28 of which belonged to the
Leguminosae, a family of nitrogen-fixing plants. Most trees were either native to the biome,
or exotic fruit trees. The diversification of production, especially with fruit trees, contributed
to food security and to a low cost/benefit ratio of AF.
Comparisons between reference forest fragments, agroforestry coffee and sun coffee
revealed the potential of AF to conserve local tree biodiversity. Litter quality on-farm was
functional in terms of soil erosion and fertility management. The canopy of the trees mitigated
high temperature extremes: maximum temperature in SC systems (32oC) was 5.4 oC higher
than in AF. Some soil quality parameters (total organic carbon, microbial carbon, soil
respiration and potential nitrogen mineralization) showed higher values in RF than AF and
SC, but no differences were observed between AF and SC.
There was considerable diversity in the strategies and management of farmers for AF
(including the choice of tree species), affecting the productivity and profitability. The total
production value of AF was on average 43% higher than that of SC, largely due to other
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products than coffee. Both systems had an overall higher return of labour than the wage rate
in the area.
Continued participative work among scientists and stakeholders may help to increase
the delivery of ecosystem services provided by family agriculture. Production systems based
on ecosystem service delivery beyond just crop production have potential to reduce the need
for external inputs and contribute to major local, regional and global objectives, such as food
security, adaptation to climate change and conservation of biodiversity.

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Propositions (Stellingen)

1. Soil management in agroforestry is key to enhance ecosystem services at different
scales (this thesis).

2. Diversity in agroforestry systems generates resilience (this thesis).

3. Using indigenous instead of exotic trees in agroforestry enhances the delivery of
ecosystem services.

4. Sustainability will only be achieved when above- and belowground interactions in
ecosystems become part of land managers’ collective awareness.

5. Agriculturalists and conservationists must learn from each other, including the
mistakes made by both, to be able to inform society’s decisions on natural resource
management.

6. Agroecology must be understood as a combination of science, practice and
movement.

7. “The best things in life are free”.

Propositions accompanying the PhD thesis ‘Biodiversity and Key Ecosystem
Services in Agroforestry Coffee Systems in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest
Biome’

Helton Nonato de Souza
Wageningen, 18 January 2012

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