Farmer influence on shade tree diversity in rustic plots of Coffea canephora in Panama coffee-agroforestry

Coffee-agroforestry includes biodiversity conservation in tropical regions. The least economically valuable yet widely cultivated “robusta” coffee was studied in Panama, considering management practices and tree diversity. Fifty households were interviewed and a detailed tree census was conducted in 29 coffee plots owned by 13 households. Besides C. canephora there were 638 stems of 90 species in 41 plant families. Coffee plantings ≤ 10 years of age had higher tree diversity. With different degrees of management and original forest conditions, the coffee-agroforestry landscape was not uniform. Local vegetation was partly conserved. Farmers did not focus directly on productivity but instead emphasized flexible use and management, with moderate labor input, under changing socio-economic circumstances. Such rustic management, with attitudes and actions not governed by immediate monetary benefit, influenced biodiversity and rural life.