Agroforestry coffee practices in relation to productivity and erosion control in the Pirris watershed in Costa Rica
2010
Meylan, Louise | Gary, Christian | Rapidel, Bruno
The Llano Bonito watershed is a productive coffee-growing region in Costa Rica reputed for its favourable growing conditions and high quality coffee. However it is also characterised by steep slopes and high precipitation levels during rainy season. Despite coffee being a perennial crop, plots that are intensively grown with little or no shade are susceptible to heavy soil losses in these conditions (Ijima, 2003). Local farmers are regularly affected, and heavy sediment loads in the Pirrís river threaten the operation of a hydroelectric dam downstream. Currently there is little evaluation of soil conservation as an environmental service even though other services such as biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration are well recognised and managed in Costa Rica (Sanchez. 2007). A survey was therefore conducted in the area in order to assess the diversity of practices in coffee management as well as obtain local information from farmers on the relationship between management of coffee plots, coffee production (the principal source of income), and soil erosion. based on this diversity of practices. (Résumé d'auteur)
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