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When you purchase coffee, what factors influence your buying decision? Brand recognition? Flavor? Price? Saving migratory Songbird habitats? Learn how drinking coffee grown in the shade gives rise to a sunny outlook for native and migratory birds in Latin America.
Your morning coffee might seem like a simple beverage, but in fact it is an opportunity for you to assist in maintaining or even increasing bird populations. That might seem like a tall order, but not when you realize that Americans consume one-third of the world's coffee. We have a good number of coffee drinkers for sure. If you are a coffee drinker or purchase coffee products, you should know what is happening in coffee producing countries.
Two-thirds of the world’s coffee is produced in the Americas (Latin America and the Caribbean). These are also some of the areas with the highest deforestation rates in the world. Audubon reports scientists believe only 10 percent of original forests will remain by the year 2025 [1]. Many migratory songbirds have turned to coffee plantations for their winter homes. Native and migratory birds are choosing not just any coffee plantations but those where the coffee plants grow under a canopy of native and diverse trees. Birds there live off nectar and seeds from flowering trees as well as insects also living on the plantation. Every day those plantations are threatened by the more profitable sun-grown farming techniques.
Audubon reports that America boasts 71 million bird watchers; THAT is some buying power. We certainly have a voice to make a change. Learn how you can make a difference. This article serves only as a brief introduction to what is happening in the winter homes of our summertime birds. Be sure to visit the links at the end of the article for more reading.
How Coffee Grows
In the Western Hemisphere, Coffea arabica is the coffee plant of choice. There are a number of cultivars of this species, each with varying degrees of coffee bean quality, production and disease resistance. Generally grown as a bush for ease of harvest, it is a shade-loving small understory tree. The area located between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn is termed the “Coffee Belt” and offers ideal conditions for this tropical plant. Higher elevations with rich porous soil and plentiful rainfall and humidity provide the best conditions for coffee.
Coffea arabica takes about three to five years to yield fruit. Once a year in most coffee-producing countries, the plant produces white blossoms with a jasmine-like fragrance. From this bloom the fruit is set in about nine months. The drupes are referred to as “cherries” and ripen to a bright red. Coffee cherries do not ripen at the same time; ripe cherries are ready to be hand picked every eight to 10 days [2]. Cherries are either picked as they ripen or all at once whether fully ripe or not. Ripe cherries produce a better tasting bean. Inside the harvested cherry are two seeds — what we know as coffee beans — which proceed to processing.
Mother Nature placed the coffee bush in a natural, biologically diverse forest setting. In these small shade plantations an abundance of plant life and wildlife keep coffee plants in good health and create long-lived plants.
Plant Life — Taller trees in shade plantations protect coffee plants while providing weed and erosion control. Multi-cropping and other nitrogen-fixing vegetation also help to provide organic material, eliminating the need for synthetic fertilizers. Coffee plants that grow amongst diverse vegetation are also less susceptible to pests [3].
Birds — In a shade plantation, birds are drawn to the forest-like setting and keep coffee pests in check.
Butterflies/Beneficial Insects — Several butterflies host on the coffee plant, and help pollinate the flowers.
Coffee plants in this environment take longer to mature and produce smaller and fewer cherries. Most cultivars grown in shade are older varieties (Coffea arabica 'Bourbon' and Coffea arabica 'Typica') and are reported to provide a more flavorful bean [4]. Additional hybrids are also grown in shade farms and cherries harvested by hand as they ripen.
Sun Plantation
Modernized Sun-grown Coffee
In the 1960s and 1970s, coffee growers began converting their shade plantations to sun coffee farms. This resulted in new "technified" coffee, or modernization of coffee, replacing older cultivars with newer varieties. These new cultivars are bred to produce greater yields, grow in the sun, and are more resistant to coffee rust. Modernization also includes removing most or all of the shade trees in coffee farms.
Over half of the traditional shade coffee farms in Latin America have been modernized [5]. Growing these plants in the sun required some sacrifices.
Cultivation Drawbacks — For successful sun coffee conservation, the widespread use of agrochemicals was established. Lacking any other vegetation to produce organic material, the farms require the use of synthetic fertilizers to keep the plants productive. In addition, plenty of pesticides are used to keep the plants healthy. As with many monocultures, the use of such chemicals contributes to the crop's shorter life.
Sun farms also lack proper erosion control, proving problematic during periods of rain. Water erodes the soil and also carries off much of the agrochemicals in use. These chemicals contaminate local water supplies, presenting health and ecologic concerns [6].
Many of the new cultivars such as the dwarf Coffea arabica 'Caturra' are highly susceptible to coffee leaf rust, a serious fungus.
Habitat Destruction — While the sun farms themselves are less healthy, the large picture is the destruction of habitat in the past 30 to 40 years. Trees and other vegetation were cleared or thinned, allowing room for more coffee plants. This practice is a devastating loss to the ecosystem. The losses include migratory and native birds, mammals, insects, reptiles, amphibians and many tree and plant species.
The Case for Change
The Natural Resources Defense Council states "Deforestation trends are serious throughout the coffee-producing lands of Latin America. Seven of the ten countries in the world with the highest deforestation rates are in Latin America and the Caribbean…" With this trend, shade coffee plantations are often the last intact forests in the region. Widespread deforestation in Latin American and Caribbean countries has left migratory and native birds searching for acceptable habitats and relocating to shade plantations. Nearly 120 species of migratory songbirds pass through or winter in Latin America. Studies in Mexico and Colombia indicate that there are 90 percent fewer bird species within sun plantations than in shaded [7]. It is clear that where biodiversity is concerned, shade-grown coffee farms must continue in an effort to promote biodiversity.
It is understandable that small plantation coffee farmers strive to make enough money to feed their families and stay in production. Even with Fair Trade coffee, farming families often are pressured to give up the generations-old practice of shade coffee farming. A movement is underway to protect the current ecosystems found in traditionally farmed coffee plantations by funding research and offering farmer incentives and education.
Shade farm supporters remind us that additional crops such as bananas, citrus, lumber, firewood, and medicines may be harvested from shade plantations, bringing in more income for farmers. There are a number of different shade farm management styles, some offering rare species or precious hardwoods harvested with no damage to coffee crops.
Key Players in Conservation
"Cause Coffees" as termed by Coffee Review, give consumers a voice in supporting songbird-friendly coffee. International groups like the Rainforest Alliance promote other causes including Fair-Trade (guaranteeing farmers a livable income), organic production and sustainability.
The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center is an advocate for migratory birds, offering certification on 100% organic shade-grown coffee. Coffee-drinking bird enthusiasts should look for coffee carrying the Rainforest Alliance and the Smithsonian Bird Friendly® certification seals.
Conservation International and Starbucks have teamed up to plant trees in coffee plantations in Mexico as a part of Starbucks "Corporate Social Responsibility."
Audubon Coffee uses an organic shade-grown roast supplied from the Rogers Family Company.
The Northwest Shade Coffee Campaign is a conservation campaign from Seattle's Audubon Society chapter. Their site offers education, coffee purchases and opportunities to volunteer.
The "big four," representing more than 40 percent of the world’s coffee are Nestle, Proctor and Gamble, Kraft Foods, and Sara Lee. Some of these companies are just now developing specialty coffees that address various fair trade and environmental issues. Chances are you are not going to walk into your local grocery store and find that your usual coffee brand is shade grown or carries any of these certifications. Many coffees from "the big four" coffee sellers are either Coffea robusta (a more bitter coffee grown at lower elevations), or blends of beans whose whereabouts often cannot be confirmed.
Coffee & Conservation website is a treasury of information from Julie Craves. Her articles keep readers up-to-date on latest happenings regarding sustainable coffee and diverse habitats. The home page also provides a rotating list of "Responsible Roasters" for readers ready to get involved.
There is a great deal to learn about sustainable coffee. Some managment styles of shade plantations are not as diverse in tree species as others. It is often difficult to discern which companies are using farms diverse in tree species.
Once coffee drinkers and bird lovers are aware of the connection between cheaper sun-grown coffee and loss of rich ecosystems, they may take action. The voices and buying power of 71 million American bird lovers (whether coffee drinkers or not) surely will have a loud voice in the market, ensuring many more years of backyard bird watching over their morning cup of coffee.
Migratory Songbirds Wintering in Shade-grown Coffee Plantations
[7] "Coffee, Conservation, and Commerce in the Western Hemisphere" Robert A. Rice, Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center; Justin R. Ward, Natural Resources Defense Council. White paper from the Natural Resources Defense Council and Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center. 1996.
Coffee & Conservation website is a treasury of information from Julie Craves. Her articles keep readers up-to-date on latest happenings regarding sustainable coffee and biodiverse habitats.
For a more complete look at this issue, please read this excellent article from Audubon Magazine.
Many thanks to Julie Craves from Coffee & Conservation for permission to use photos as well as providing guidance for this article.
Bird photos supplied by bird lovers who participate in the Dave's Garden Bird Watching Forum, available to all Dave's Garden members. Thanks to "linthicum," "pelletory," "gardenpom," "2dCousinDave" and "tigerlily."
Thanks also to Dave's Garden member "floridian" for contributing the wonderful coffee blossom photo to PlantFiles.
I am one of those fortunate individuals who grew up on rural land that has been in my family for decades. My parents and grandparents were avid gardeners who gladly shared their love of gardening with me. Today I enjoy a small yard in town with my husband, two dogs and a cat who is in charge of us all.
Posted by Ric_AZ (from Tucson, AZ) on January 12, 2009 at 01:33 AM:
I am a bird watcher myself but did not know about the connection, thanks for the information. I have been drinking shade grown fair trade coffee for a couple of years now, but do not know if it is certified or not, I will definitely be checking on that. Thanks again for the great information.
Ric
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Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on January 12, 2009 at 09:04 AM:
you are Welcome Ric!
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Subject: What an eye opener.
Posted by MargaretK (from PERTH, Australia) on October 05, 2008 at 08:20 AM:
Terrific article, Marna. I had no idea what has been taking place in coffee growing. I only have one cup of instant coffee a day, but your article revealing the impact on habitat destruction and bird migration has caused me to rethink the brand of coffee I buy. I will no longer buy coffee from one of the "big four" until such time that they can demonstrate more sustainable and ethical practices. Good work!
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Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on October 05, 2008 at 01:52 PM:
Thanks Margaret. I just went to a health food store where there was only organic coffee and much of it was fair trade. I only saw ONE that said it was shade grown and it was not certified. So it certainly is a task to find bird friendly coffee!
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Subject: Thanks so much for this article, Marna!
Posted by KaperC (from No. San Diego Co., CA) on September 30, 2008 at 12:44 PM:
A number of years ago we were fortunate enough to visit Costa Rica where our guides educated us on this subject. We have purchased nothing but shade grown coffee since and recommend it to all our friends. When you see people work so hard to use practices that will benefit the future and nature as well as themselves, it's hard not to help them in whatever small way we can.
Please, everyone, buy shade grown coffee! Insist your markets carry it. It can be found at prices that won't break the budget and it's a small way to benefit the environment.
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Posted by KaperC (from No. San Diego Co., CA) on September 30, 2008 at 02:15 PM:
Have to say - that link to Coffee and Conservation is worth checking out! I learned so much more in just a short time. Mainly - "shade grown" is not always really "shade grown."
Thanks again, Marna!
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Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on September 30, 2008 at 02:52 PM:
I know, Julie Craves does a GREAT job with that website!
Speaking of which, Check out her entry on Costa Rican Coffee. They aren't so cooperative as one would think!
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Posted by KaperC (from No. San Diego Co., CA) on September 30, 2008 at 02:58 PM:
Yes, I read that! Just when we think we know something, someone shows us how ignorant we are! At least I know what to look for on the labels now. :-)
Having said that, the area we were in certainly had no shortage of birds and the coffee was excellent!
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Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on September 30, 2008 at 04:01 PM:
You know, it is so interestingly complex. I think I'm just going to have to go check out all of these countries and birds myself this winter, don't you think? ;)
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Posted by KaperC (from No. San Diego Co., CA) on September 30, 2008 at 04:04 PM:
Oh, yes, I think you should! Coffee growing methods aside, I highly recommend Costa Rica and a certain eco-lodge on the Caribbean side. :-)
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Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on September 30, 2008 at 04:16 PM:
might just have to do it!! I'm amazed at how inexpensive the airfare there is. A friend is having a wedding in Panama next Feb. I'm trying to figure out how to go!!!
PS. I don't drink coffee!
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Posted by KaperC (from No. San Diego Co., CA) on September 30, 2008 at 04:26 PM:
Perhaps you've never had good coffee! lol
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Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on September 30, 2008 at 04:40 PM:
you know, that is what Julie said! I'm sure I've just always tried robusta. We'll see!
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Posted by KaperC (from No. San Diego Co., CA) on September 30, 2008 at 05:14 PM:
Everyone's taste buds are different. I don't like weak coffee. I really didn't drink much at all until I went to a French resort (OK, it was Club Med!) and had coffee so rich we were afraid for the spoons! It was a dark French roast and I loved it. There were thermoses of hot milk and hot water on the table, but I've never doctored coffee or tea, and drank it straight. Yummmmy. Try a medium with low acid. :-)
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Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on September 30, 2008 at 06:15 PM:
Good of you to fear for the spoons. In general, I'm not too fond of many things "bitter" so we'll see!
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Subject: Interesting!
Posted by marzissa (from Irvine, CA) on September 28, 2008 at 09:49 PM:
This was an incredible article , about a phenomenon I've never heard of before. Thanks so much for opening my eyes to this problem of coffee selling. I don't drink too much as it is, but now I feel good for not adding to that destruction of shade grown coffee farms.
I really appreciated reading this article. And whats more, your link showed me where to find a reputable clean coffee grower, close by.
The flow of the article and the side pictures were great too.
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Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on September 28, 2008 at 09:52 PM:
I'm glad you enjoyed it. There is a good deal more information out there if you are up for some more reading. Julie at Coffee and Conservation has done a great job!
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Subject: Great Job!
Posted by darius (from So.Appalachian Mtns, VA) on September 28, 2008 at 02:16 PM:
Marna, excellent presentation. Finally, a coffee article connected to gardening!
I'm a coffee drinker concerned with sustainability which in my mind covers everything from the labor pool, land use, birds... and all the way up the chain to us. Yes, it costs more to support those practices, but what choice do we have if we really care what happens on this lovely blue planet?
Thank You.
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Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on September 28, 2008 at 05:55 PM:
thanks Darius, it is indeed a complex subject. Many of the fair trade coffees are not organic or shade grown. It's difficult to do the right thing in all areas and sometimes you just have to pick your cause.
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Posted by KyWoods (from Melbourne, KY) on September 28, 2008 at 11:06 PM:
Yes, thanks for this important information! I only drink one cup a day, but I will check into the "mountain grown" coffee I drink...
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Subject: Thank you...
Posted by Sundownr (from (Bev) Wytheville, VA) on September 28, 2008 at 01:30 PM:
Thank you for a very well written and research article! Loved the photos, too! I'm a coffee drinker, a bird watcher (in my little yard), and try to be environmentally savvy. But, this was all news to me! Thank you for the "wake up" call!
Bev
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Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on September 28, 2008 at 05:52 PM:
You are welcome Bev. I'm not a coffee drinker, and this was news to me too! I AM a coffee buyer. I told DH that he's probably drinking his last from Folgers now!
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Subject: Best Article So Far!
Posted by nanny_56 (from Putnam County, IN) on September 28, 2008 at 12:52 PM:
I have liked all you articles, but this is by far your best! Your writing style has really developed over the last few months.
DH and I are coffee drinkers and bird lovers, so I will be checking into some of these products!
Great job Marna!
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Subject: Excellent Article!
Posted by pelletory (from Marlton, NJ) on September 28, 2008 at 10:53 AM:
Great job Marna! Thank you!
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Subject: Great wake up article
Posted by beclu727 (from Dacula, GA) on September 28, 2008 at 09:24 AM:
Sitting here drinking my morning coffee and enjoying your article. We usually buy Fair Trade, but now I need to look for shade-grown also. Thanks so much. Becky
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Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on September 28, 2008 at 09:44 AM:
Great Becky! This subject was and "eye opener" for me too!
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Posted by wallaby1 (from Lincoln, United Kingdom) on September 28, 2008 at 10:43 AM:
I'm very pleased to see this article, who knows how many people will be woken up by more than their morning cuppa. Serious issues for sure, and I'm sure many of us worry about the consequences of what is happening but some don't realise the full impact. Well done Mrs_Ed!
I'm not a coffee drinker, occasionally have bought some of those 'bitter' beans only to leave them in the cupboard until I throw them out. Reading the description on the packet one would think they were a good coffee arabica, and fair trade, I have tasted good coffee and they were nowhere near good!
I hope some will be awakened to the plight of others in this world, people as well as wildlife.
Key Players in Conservation
