This post is also available in Portuguese here.

Gudryan J. Baronio discusses a recent study, conducted alongside colleagues, which emphasises the key role of pollinators in coffee production and their impact on fruit and seed characteristics. Their findings support optimising coffee plantation design by preserving native vegetation to increase coffee yields and conserve biodiversity.

Our recent paper in the Journal of Applied Ecology brings you an exploration of the intricate interplay between agricultural landscapes and ecological dynamics which offers a scientific lens into the multifaceted relationship between coffee field design and biodiversity conservation. In this study, we revealed some relationships between field design and its influence on biodiversity and pollination services which are accentuated by the critical role played by field border areas. In this blog post we explore some practical insights for managing biological resources and is recommended reading for coffee farmers aiming for better yields, as well as people fascinated by the interplay between native vegetation and agricultural landscapes.

The focus of our study was not just on the scientific details but on real-world applications for sustainable resource management. The empirical evidence indicates a substantial surge in bee visitation rates to coffee flowers at the field borders compared to the interior of the coffee plantation, emphasizing the importance of preserving and enhancing these areas. After a considerable amount of fieldwork, we found that border areas in coffee plantations are active hubs for pollinators, especially solitary bees which are the main pollinators of coffee (see also Machado et al., 2020).

What have we observed?

We found that the bee visitation rate to coffee flowers at the border was more than seven times that in the interior of the coffee plantation. This resulted in a substantial increase in both coffee fruit set and the quality of the coffee beans. Our study went further than the ecology of coffee pollination, however, and looked at how this affect coffee farmers’ finances.

There is a pivotal role for native solitary bees in influencing fruit number, mass, density, and overall coffee quality. This is not purely a quantitative benefit, it is a qualitative enhancement, with pollinated fruits demonstrating attributes favorable to quality coffee production. Pollination by bees results in not only more fruits but also higher-quality coffee beans!

We observed rounder and denser seeds resulting from bee pollination, which influence roasting and post-harvest processes, ultimately contributing to better coffee quality. Commercially, the ramifications of focused management practices that support native bee diversity and abundance are remarkable. A well-designed coffee field can enhance pollination services, potentially increasing a farmer’s income by more than US$1,700 per hectare! This economic incentive underscores the viability and relevance of sustainable practices that harmonize with nature. Also, imagine the communal gain if entire plantations adopt similar strategies!

We did not stop at the plantation borders!

Using artificial nests we explored how bees use pollen from coffee and native plants in the adjacent vegetation. The pollen types found in the nests are evidence of intricate ecological dynamics, with proximity to the coffee plantation influencing the bees’ foraging behaviour. The temporal shift in bee behaviours when looking for food, particularly the preference for coffee pollen during the flowering season, reflects the adaptability of solitary bees to the dynamics of coffee fields. It highlights the need for a balanced approach to coffee plantation design that integrates native vegetation, providing not only food for bees but also nesting opportunities in the landscape.

Here’s the real jewel – a well-balanced coffee plantation design that integrates native vegetation and border management can be a win-win strategy. Not only does it support biodiversity conservation, but it also enhances pollination services, paving the way for sustainable coffee production. Our research calls for a paradigm shift in conventional agricultural practices, supporting the ecological intensification of agriculture and aligning it with the needs of pollinators. This is not just a scientific revelation, but a good way forward for sustainable agriculture where biodiversity, pollination services, and agricultural productivity converge to support coffee, a valuable and widely-consumed insect-pollinated crops, whose global production is increasing decade-on-decade (Ollerton 2021).

Management recommendations

• Optimize borders – We encourage farmers to enhance border areas with diverse floral resources to attract and support pollinators, ultimately enhancing coffee yield.
• Preserve native vegetation – We emphasize the importance of preserving native vegetation around coffee plantations as crucial nesting and foraging sites for pollinators.
• Enhance nesting opportunities – We suggest implementation of strategies for providing nesting opportunities for solitary bees within or near coffee plantations to improve pollination services.
• Highlight economic benefits – We suggest tutoring farmers on the economic benefits of enhanced pollination, showing them the potential increase in income per hectare.
• Consider micro-environmental conditions – We encourage farmers to optimize micro-environmental conditions, especially at the edges, to positively influence fruit development and productivity.

Read the full article “Optimizing coffee production: Increased floral visitation and bean quality at plantation edges with wild pollinators and natural vegetation” in Journal of Applied Ecology