Assessment of Shade Cover and Its Effects on Productive and Environmental Performance in Two Coffee Farms Associated with Coopetarrazú R.L., Tarrazú, Costa Rica
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| Auteurs: | , , , , |
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| Formaat: | artículo original |
| Status: | Versión publicada |
| Publicatiedatum: | 2026 |
| Omschrijving: | Current coffee farming seeks to reflect the contribution of its activities to addressing global environmental challenges. Shade canopy management in coffee plantations is commonly guided by production objectives and crop requirements. However, when managed for its capacity to promote diversification and provide environmental services, it acquires additional value for society. Recognizing and valuing the resources available within an agroecosystem is therefore essential. This study evaluated the influence of shade cover on the productive and environmental capacity of two coffee farms associated with CoopeTarrazú R.L. by characterizing the edaphoclimatic conditions and floristic composition of the evaluated systems. Carbon stocks were quantified, biodiversity was assessed as an environmental service, and statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate the influence of the shade canopy on coffee productivity. Finally, a shade design was proposed to enhance the environmental component of coffee cultivation. A total of eight shade-providing plant species were recorded, of which only five were the most representative. The results indicate that shade cover was characterized by a relatively high density of musaceous plants (380 ± 222 individuals ha⁻¹) and a low density of fruit and timber trees. Average shade cover across the two farms was 32%. These findings highlight the importance of improving shade management strategies to strengthen the environmental benefits provided by coffee agroecosystems. |
| Land: | Portal de Revistas TEC |
| Instelling: | Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica |
| Repositorio: | Portal de Revistas TEC |
| Taal: | Español |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:ojs.pkp.sfu.ca:article/8800 |
| Online toegang: | https://revistas.tec.ac.cr/index.php/kuru/article/view/8800 |
| Keyword: | Agroforestry, Sustainable Coffee Production, Biodiversity, Carbon, Floristic Composition Agroforestería, Biodiversidad, Cobertura de Sombra, Carbono, Composición Florística |