Unlocking coffee agroecosystems secrets
This book explores the impact of coffee agroecosystems on soil hydrological functions, focusing on the potential benefits and challenges associated with land-use change. Utilizing low-cost methodologies like the Steady Simplified Beerkan Infiltration (SSBI) method and visual soil assessment (VSA), the study examines various land-use types in Guatemala. Key findings highlight the positive influence of shade trees on soil hydrological properties and the microclimatic benefits of leaf litter in seven-year-old shade-grown coffee. The book concludes with a recommendation for regular monitoring to understand the temporal variability in tropical land-use systems.
Key takeaways
- Shade trees boost hydrological properties: Thirty-year-old shade-grown coffee (CN) exhibits the highest saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) values, indicating that shade trees positively impact soil hydrological properties in coffee agroecosystems.
- Microclimatic benefits of leaf litter: Seven-year-old shade-grown coffee (CP) demonstrates higher soil volumetric water content (VWC) and a significant positive effect of leaf litter on soil temperature, highlighting the positive impact of leaf litter on microclimatic conditions and soil moisture.
- Effective low-cost methodologies: The Steady Simplified Beerkan Infiltration (SSBI) method, coupled with visual soil assessment (VSA), proves to be a cost-effective and easily implementable approach for assessing soil hydraulic and physical characteristics in various land-use types.
