UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Richards, Meryl Breton
Title:
Dept./Program:
Plant and Soil Science
Year:
2013
Degree:
PhD
Abstract:
Smallholder shade coffee agroecosystems have been noted for their potential for tree, bird, and insect biodiversity conservation in the tropics. However, there is a lack of research on other productive areas managed by small-scale coffee farmers, such as homegardens and maize and bean plots. Additionally, little research has investigated why farmers maintain this agrobiodiversity, how it contributes to their livelihoods, and how stable it is over time.
In this dissertation, I explore interactions between farmers' livelihoods and diversity of cultivated plant species and landraces among smallholder shade coffee farmers in El Salvador. The research was conducted using a mix ofnatural and social science methods, and was driven by the following objectives.
1. understanding the factors and livelihood contexts that motivate farmers to conserve agrobiodiversity; 2. analyzing how agrobiodiversity contributes to livelihood outcomes, specifically food security; 3. exploring co-benefits between agrobiodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration; and 4. examining how agrobiodiversity changes over time as a result of farmers' management choices.
Farmers maintained agrobiodiversity on their farms as insurance against variable growing conditions (e.g. climate) and as a buffer against fluctuating market prices for food. Agrobiodiversity, and maize landraces in particular, held considerable cultural value as well. There was no strong quantitative relationship between agrobiodiversity and food security; income was a stronger predictor of food security. Shade tree biodiversity in coffee plantations was stable over time, despite farmers' removal of some trees. Shade tree biodiversity may also have other ecosystem service benefits, as carbon sequestration in shade trees was correlated with initial species richness.
The value of agrobiodiversity to livelihoods and ecosystem services has historically been difficult to measure. This dissertation shows positive relationships in several domains and suggests methodological improvements for measurement in others.
In this dissertation, I explore interactions between farmers' livelihoods and diversity of cultivated plant species and landraces among smallholder shade coffee farmers in El Salvador. The research was conducted using a mix ofnatural and social science methods, and was driven by the following objectives.
1. understanding the factors and livelihood contexts that motivate farmers to conserve agrobiodiversity; 2. analyzing how agrobiodiversity contributes to livelihood outcomes, specifically food security; 3. exploring co-benefits between agrobiodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration; and 4. examining how agrobiodiversity changes over time as a result of farmers' management choices.
Farmers maintained agrobiodiversity on their farms as insurance against variable growing conditions (e.g. climate) and as a buffer against fluctuating market prices for food. Agrobiodiversity, and maize landraces in particular, held considerable cultural value as well. There was no strong quantitative relationship between agrobiodiversity and food security; income was a stronger predictor of food security. Shade tree biodiversity in coffee plantations was stable over time, despite farmers' removal of some trees. Shade tree biodiversity may also have other ecosystem service benefits, as carbon sequestration in shade trees was correlated with initial species richness.
The value of agrobiodiversity to livelihoods and ecosystem services has historically been difficult to measure. This dissertation shows positive relationships in several domains and suggests methodological improvements for measurement in others.