Browsing by Autor "Gabriel G. Torrico"

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Bird assemblages in specialty coffee production landscapes in pre-montane humid subtropical forests
(2024) Nayra Antezana-Alvarado; Gabriel G. Torrico; Luis F. Pacheco; Camila Benavides-Frías; Vania Torrez; J. S. Jacobi
<title>Abstract</title> Coffee-related agricultural intensification affects bird species abundance, richness, and composition through habitat loss and degradation. Production of specialty coffee is expected to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly than conventional coffee. Nevertheless, not all specialty coffee is grown sustainably. To evaluate environmental sustainability, we evaluated the composition of bird assemblages in six specialty coffee-producing communities in Bolivia’s pre-montane subtropical humid forest region. To do this, we measured the diversity, richness, generalist and specialist species, and the effect of habitat on bird assemblages, comparing coffee plots and secondary forest plots as part of “Nature’s matrix”. We found significant differences in the abundance of generalist bird species. We did not find differences in the richness and diversity of specialist species. Plant strata, herbaceous leaf cover, and shrub leaf cover affected the assemblages of generalist species. Our results represent a first step toward understanding the intricate relationship between biodiversity and specialty coffee production, highlighting the importance of considering regional differences in landscape characteristics – conceived of as Nature’s matrix – when examining biodiversity in specialty coffee systems.
Socioeconomic and biophysical factors affect tree diversity in farms producing specialty coffee in Caranavi, Bolivia
(Research Square (United States), 2023) Gabriel G. Torrico; Nayra Antezana Alvarado; Luis F. Pacheco; Camila Benavides-Frías; Johanna Jacobi
Abstract Specialty coffee (SC) production enables farmers to earn premium prices for high-quality coffee. In Bolivia, some coffee-based agroforestry systems (CAFS) produce SC. However, while many Bolivian families’ livelihoods depend on coffee, studies on SC-producing CAFS remain scarce. Yet, research on tree diversity, CAFS management and the factors affecting tree diversity can offer novel insights on agroforestry. We sampled 24 farms in three villages located in the Caranavi municipality. We analyzed farms main characteristics, biophysical variables, shade tree diversity, tree uses, management practices and farmers’ socioeconomic background. Additionally, we surveyed 50 coffee farmers to collect information about their preferences for shade tree species and tree characteristics. Then, we investigated if farmers’ socioeconomic and farm biophysical variables affect CAFS tree species richness and tree density using generalized linear models (GLM). Our results showed that studied farms are small and certified properties (average: 2.6 ha) managed by families; we observed that CAFS provide farmers with valuable products besides SC. We identified 85 tree species that provide principally shade for coffee and fruits, timber, lumber and medicines. Moreover, farmers prefer mostly shade tree species that offer them useful and marketable products, while tree characteristics are preferred according to their benefits to coffee and farmers. GLM revealed that socioeconomic and biophysical variables related to management and landscape composition affect: tree species richness and density. These results suggest that management and landscape are influential factors driving CAFS tree diversity. Hence, factors fostering farmers’ ability to manage their CAFS for biodiversity and household wellbeing should be promoted.
Socioeconomic and biophysical factors affect tree diversity in farms producing specialty coffee in Caranavi, Bolivia
(Springer Science+Business Media, 2023) Gabriel G. Torrico; Nayra Antezana Alvarado; Luis F. Pacheco; Camila Benavides-Frías; Johanna Jacobi