Effects of shade and bird exclusion on arthropods and leaf damage on coffee farms in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains

Abstract

The effects of overstory trees and birds on coffee pests are poorly understood. This study documents (a) the effect of bird exclusion on foliage-dwelling arthropod abundance and insect-caused leaf damage, and (b) the relationships between vegetation complexity and insect abundance, leaf damage, and prevalence of fungal leaf symptoms on coffee farms in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica, West Indies. Overall arthropod abundance was reduced inside bird-proof exclosures, and this corresponded to reduced insect-caused leaf damage. The reduction in leaf damage increased with greater shade, but fungal leaf symptoms increased with greater shade and proximity to non-coffee habitat patches. There appears to be a trade-off for coffee farmers in our study region: vegetation complexity may attract beneficial insect-eating birds that can reduce insect damage, but it is also associated with the prevalence of fungal leaf symptoms.