Neighbor trees: Shade, intercropping, and cacao in Ecuador

被引:44
作者
Bentley, JW
Boa, E
Stonehouse, J
机构
[1] CABI Biosci, Surrey TW20 9TY, England
[2] Univ London Imperial Coll Sci Technol & Med, Ctr Environm & Technol, London SW7 2PE, England
关键词
cacao; shade; intercropping; biodiversity; Ecuador; migratory bird habitat;
D O I
10.1023/B:HUEC.0000019759.46526.4d
中图分类号
Q98 [人类学];
学科分类号
030303 ;
摘要
Previous studies have shown that shade trees in cacao and coffee are important habitats for inter-American migratory birds. A survey of 21 cacao farmers along the northern, central, and southern Pacific Coast of Ecuador found that shade trees are associated with unirrigated, traditional cacao varieties and low levels of chemical inputs. Farmers stressed the importance of shade for managing soil moisture and soil fertility, and for managing some weeds and diseases. Most of the shade trees were not wild forest trees, but had been planted and protected by the farm families. Many other trees are intercropped with cacao for economic reasons, not related to shade. Chocolate manufacturers, consumers, and environmental activists can encourage farmers to maintain shade canopies by paying a premium for the traditional, shade-loving, high-quality aromatic cocoa varieties.
引用
收藏
页码:241 / 270
页数:30
相关论文
共 52 条
  • [1] Adeyemi A. A., 1999, Tropical Science, V39, P1
  • [2] ANDALL RP, 1999, TROPICAL FRUITS NEWS, V31, P7
  • [3] [Anonymous], NEOTROPICAL COMPANIO
  • [4] [Anonymous], 1993, SMALLHOLDERS HOUSEHO, DOI DOI 10.1515/9781503622067
  • [5] Arosemena G., 1991, FRUTO DIOSES CACAO E
  • [6] Aulong S., 2000, Fruits (Paris), V55, P103
  • [7] BAKER PS, 2001, COFFEE FUTURES SOURC, P26
  • [9] Shade management in coffee and cacao plantations
    Beer, J
    Muschler, R
    Kass, D
    Somarriba, E
    [J]. AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS, 1997, 38 (1-3) : 139 - 164
  • [10] Berry W., 1990, WHAT ARE PEOPLE FOR