Management Effects on Woody Species Diversity and Vegetation Structure of Coffee-based Agroforestry Systems in Ethiopia

Abstract

The effect of Ethiopian coffee production systems on the diversity and composition of woody species and vegetation structure was studied along a management gradient ranging from low to intensive, namely forest coffee, semi-forest coffee, semi-plantation coffee and plantation coffee. Data were obtained from a field survey and secondary sources. A reduction of species diversity and a shift in species composition were found over the range of low, moderate to intensive management systems, together with dominance of a few pioneer tree species in the two most intensively cultivated systems. There was also a structural variation along the management gradient and within semi-forest coffee though not consistent over variables and sites. The dominance of pioneer species can serve as an indicator of ecological status (e.g. a loss of species or a reduction of refuges for forest dwelling organisms) and productivity of such systems because long-term coffee productions and resilience against disturbances (e.g. climate change) can be negatively affected by management intensity.