The dual impact of coffee farming on the environment

Everything is dual and so is coffee. Depending on the farming method, coffee can affect the environment in different ways. For example, Specialty Coffee with traditional, organic or agroforestry methods are considered to be capable of sustainably conserving the environment, regenerating resources or even mitigating the complexities of climate change.

Saving natural resources

Water and soil not only play an important role in agriculture but are also necessary for human life. But now anyone can easily see the dire state of these two resources. The amount of clean water is increasingly scarce due to evaporation, pollution, and salinization. Soil quality in many areas suffers from residues of toxic chemicals that affect productivity and human health.

The agroforestry method combined with natural “green” canopy helps to increase soil moisture. The rate of soil evaporation can be reduced which can be reduced from 41% if the cover reaches 60% – 80%. The need for evapotranspiration is reduced by up to 32% when the coverage reaches 30%. Therefore, the growing area is always open, coffee easily absorbs underground water, helping to save a significant amount of irrigation water.

Besides, the high density of shade trees can also prevent the harsh sunlight of the sun shining directly on the ground. The soil is protected from the inhibition of purple violet that affects the growth of humus, which helps promote the decomposition cycle of enzymes and microorganisms to create natural organic minerals and nitrogen. Diversified intercropping of plants at the root system of trees that penetrate deep underground has both prevented erosion and loss of soil due to runoff during heavy rain. This also helps bring nutrients from the deeper layers of the soil to the top, increasing the porosity and fertility of the soil.

In addition, sustainable farming methods minimize the use of chemicals. Organic, agroforestry farms aim at technical measures to make the soil balance itself according to the natural cycle. They take advantage of agricultural wastes such as straw, rice straw, coffee grounds, and livestock emissions to create biological products that help prevent water and soil pollution.

Soil quality in many areas suffers from residues of toxic chemicals that affect productivity and human health

Promoting biodiversity

Studies of the agroforestry coffee system have shown its incredible biodiversity. The growing area is covered, surrounded by layers of different flora and fauna, creating an ideal habitat for coffee and countless other species. The many symbiotic relationships of insects with plants and crops lead to an increase in quality and species richness. Most agroforestry farms have 46% higher species richness than monoculture systems. The level of diversity with a wide variety of nectars, seed-eaters, fruit-eaters and insectivores allows co-planting to enjoy essential ecosystem services such as seed dispersal, pollination, natural pest control and reduce disease outbreaks. This makes the planting area not only help coffee trees receive natural and comprehensive protection but also help embellish and develop the entire ecosystem. For example, an abundance of bees and butterflies helps coffee plants to proliferate, while birds and lizards feed on unwanted pests . Some fungi, snails, and mites that live in the forest can even eat coffee rust spores. Furthermore, with time and pollination support, species of trees cross each other to create new, better varieties with higher economic value such as the wild mutant coffee varieties in the forests of Ethiopia, and Kenya, … create balance and promote sustainability for the entire industry.

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

In 1024, a study in a scientific journal published by Oxford University Press found that agroforestry coffee plantations could similarly reduce carbon emissions (above and in soil). like a forest. Even traditional polyculture coffee farms have the ability to limit carbon emissions to the environment more than all other methods. The study found that if 10% of monoculture coffee farms were converted to “low shade”, up to 1.6 billion tons of carbon would be absorbed and not released into the atmosphere. This proves that sustainable coffee farms can completely become a place to purify carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the earth. In addition, the planting of forests in coffee plantations also helps the climate in areas become up to 9 degrees F cooler, reducing the phenomenon of soil losing water and becoming hotter and drier.

Even traditional polyculture coffee farms have the ability to limit carbon emissions to the environment more than all other methods

Coffee can also have a negative impact on the environment if cultivated in a monoculture. Because unlike agroforestry, coffee monoculture does not pursue the diversity of plant varieties. This farming method focuses solely on the coffee plant. It requires large plots of land and is filled with rows of coffee trees and uses measures aimed at maximizing production and productivity. Many monoculture systems because of the pursuit of yield have traded off sustainability, causing negative impacts on the environment.

Pollution and depletion of natural resources

A coffee monoculture requires a lot of water. Because coffee does not have a protective canopy and has to face direct sunlight. The planting area does not have layers of leaves to block sunlight or retain moisture, which causes water to evaporate quickly, the soil is dry, and the plants lose water quickly, so a lot of water is needed. High temperatures also cause leaves to dry quickly, inhibiting the decomposition processes that make the soil barren. This also leads to a decrease in the ability of the roots to retain moisture, making the plant “thirsty” and requiring more inorganic matter. On the other hand, when using chemicals for a long time, the substances will accumulate in the ground, leading to the process of nitrogen leaching, creating substances that are harmful to the soil. These toxic substances can combine with sediments due to erosion, which will pollute the surrounding water. For example, in recent research, the use of pesticides alone is likely to cause 44.7% of water pollution and 23.7% of groundwater pollution on coffee plantations.

The planting area does not have layers of leaves to block sunlight or retain moisture, which causes water to evaporate quickly, the soil is dry, and the plants lose water quickly, so a lot of water is needed

Furthermore, when exposed to sunlight and lack of nutrient cycling, soil not only lacks moisture but also can change its physical, chemical and biological composition. The growing area has only one species, coffee, so it puts pressure on the soil. It was absorbing elements such as oxygen and carbon, micro and macronutrients but never had a chance to try or supplement. In addition, chemical residues are continuously tolerated through the stages of fertilization, pest control, etc. leading to a decrease in soil pH, EC, organic matter as well as microbial activity. animals and fungi. In the long run, these chemical inputs can lead to degradation, while also creating chemical dependence, erosion, soil depletion and chemical accumulation.

Biological imbalance

Most of the research results show that biodiversity will decrease with the gradual loss of shade cover. In particular, coffee growing areas can lose biodiversity if overuse of monoculture farming techniques. The main reason is that the farming method places efficiency and benefits in the short term and ignores long-term sustainable value. In order to have a monoculture plantation it is necessary to remove large hectares of forest. This means destroying the habitats of birds, plants, fungi, amphibians, worms, insects and forest-dwelling wildlife. Declining pollinator populations will prolong the loss of biodiversity, as affected cross-pollination poses a serious threat to ecosystems,

Increasing global warming

Forests are the green lungs of the earth, creating a barrier against ultraviolet rays from the sun, purifying the atmosphere, creating a habitat for countless creatures including humans. However, coffee monoculture is destroying forests. In an Ohio State University paper, one cup of coffee is consumed almost certainly an inch of rainforest has been destroyed. In addition, according to Coffee Barometer information, coffee is expected to lose 10-20 million hectares of forests by 2050, releasing 1.65-3.3 billion tons of carbon. Without a forest canopy that absorbs carbon, the surrounding air becomes drier and hotter. The average monthly temperature is about 6°C higher in sunny coffee-growing areas than in agricultural and primary forests.

Coffee farming can destroy the habitats of birds, plants, fungi, amphibians, worms, insects and wildlife that live in forests

It can be seen that depending on how it is grown, coffee can create benefits or cause negative effects on the environment. The existing resources and forest areas are increasingly scarce, so it is necessary to focus on methods to reduce environmental impacts to ensure long-term development. Together with XLIII Coffee, we use sustainable scientifically cultivated coffees to protect our main river environment!

Source: dailycoffeenews

1. How does sustainable coffee cultivation help protect natural resources?

Sustainable cultivation using agroforestry methods with natural shade helps increase soil moisture, reduce water evaporation, and maintain soil aeration. This conserves water and sustains soil fertility, minimizing the need for harmful chemicals.

2. Which cultivation method enhances biodiversity in coffee plantations?

Agroforestry methods enhance biodiversity by creating rich habitats for various species, especially insects, bees, and birds, which promote pollination and natural pest control.

3. Why can monoculture coffee farming lead to pollution and depletion of natural resources?

Monoculture farming requires large amounts of water and uses chemicals for fertilization and pest control. This reduces soil moisture and fertility, causing water pollution due to the runoff of harmful chemicals.

4. How does monoculture coffee farming negatively affect biodiversity?

Monoculture coffee farming reduces biodiversity by removing other plant and animal species, leading to habitat degradation, declining pollinator populations, and disrupting the ecosystem balance.

5. How can sustainable coffee farming reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Sustainable farming with green canopy cover helps plants absorb carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, similar to a forest, mitigating global warming and improving local climates.