Study: Shade trees protect coffee crops

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they've discovered traditional techniques offer promise for guarding against temperature and precipitation extremes in coffee crops.

University of Michigan researcher Brenda Lin and Professors Ivette Perfecto and John Vandermeer said they determined sustainable farming that employs shade trees might improve a crops' resistance to weather extremes that climate changes are expected to trigger.

The researchers said their study focused on coffee production, although the conclusions could be applicable to other economically important crops, including cocoa and tea.

The scientists discovered the recent intensification of coffee production has made that crop more vulnerable to higher temperatures and changes in precipitation. In an effort to boost production, some growers have increased their use of pesticides and relied less on shade trees.

But the new study suggests such trends make the crops more susceptible to weather events. The scientists urge further efforts to determine where a return to more traditional agroforestry techniques is likely to protect the livelihoods of farmers threatened by climate change.

The study appears in the journal BioScience.