Search

Coffee is deemed to be a high-risk crop in light of upcoming climate changes. Agroforestry practices have been proposed as a nature-based strategy for coffee farmers to mitigate and adapt to future climates. However, with agroforestry systems comes shade, a highly contentious factor for coffee production in terms of potential yield reduction, as well as additional management needs and interactions between shade trees and pest and disease. In this review, we summarize recent research relating to the effects of shade on (i) farmers' use and perceptions, (ii) the coffee microenvironment, (iii) pest and disease incidence, (iv) carbon assimilation and phenology of coffee plants, (v) coffee quality attributes (evaluated by coffee bean size, biochemical compounds, and cup quality tests), (vi) breeding of new Arabica coffee F1 hybrids and Robusta clones for future agroforestry systems, and (vii) coffee production under climate change. Through this work, we begin to decipher whether shaded systems are a feasible strategy to improve the coffee crop sustainability in anticipation of challenging climate conditions. Further research is proposed for developing new coffee varieties adapted to agroforestry systems (exhibiting traits suitable for climate stressors), refining extension tools by selecting locally-adapted shade trees species and developing policy and economic incentives enabling the adoption of sustainable agroforestry practices.

The coffee research community has maintained a long ongoing debate regarding the implications of shade trees in coffee production. Historically, there has been contrasting results and opinions on this matter, thus recommendations for the use of shade (namely in coffee agroforestry systems) are often deemed controversial, particularly due to potential yield declines and farmers' income. This study is one of the first demonstrating how several Coffea arabica cultivars respond differently to shade with respect to yield. By standardising more than 200 coffee yield data from various in-field trials, we assembled the so-called “Ristretto” data pool, a one of a kind, open-source dataset, consolidating decades of coffee yield data under shaded systems. With this standardised dataset, our meta-analysis demonstrated significant genotypic heterogeneity in response to shade, showing neutral, inverted U-shaped and decreasing trends between yield and shade cover amongst 18 different cultivars. These findings encourage the examination of C. arabica at the cultivar level when assessing suitability for agroforestry systems. Comparison of productivity is also encouraged across a range of low to moderate shade levels (10–40%), in order to help elucidate potential unknown optimal shade levels for coffee production.

The use of smartphones for data collection has opened up new opportunities for communities wishing to engage in community-based monitoring. While information and communication technology (ICT) is able to systematize data collection, complex functions and observation types can present challenges for community members. ICT also may skew community participation towards young men, as they are sometimes more comfortable using smartphones. This study investigates the success and cost-effectiveness of having local forest monitors use ICT to collect data on forest crimes and forest resources in Prey Lang, Cambodia. A workshop was held with the Prey Lang Community Network to identify the resources and illegal activities to be monitored. Guided by the community members, a smartphone app was subsequently developed and a total of 36 community members were trained in its use. We examined the extent to which the capacity of community members to collect data was dependent upon the complexity of the ICT and on their age and gender. We also assessed the costs of the monitoring program over a two-year period. The community members were able to collect large amounts of data regardless of their gender or age. They made 10,842 entries of data on illegal logging and forest resources. Increased complexity of the app had no impact on the proportion of quality data collected. The cost of monitoring resembled other community-based monitoring programs but was notably less than for monitoring by professional foresters. Our findings suggest that local communities with little formal education are able to monitor forest crimes and forest resources cost-effectively using ICT; however, while the documentation collected was highly valuable, software and hardware maintenance, along with the digital data validation process, will continue to require external support., The use of smartphones for data collection has opened up new opportunities for communities wishing to engage in community-based monitoring. While information and communication technology (ICT) is able to systematize data collection, complex functions and observation types can present challenges for community members. ICT also may skew community participation towards young men, as they are sometimes more comfortable using smartphones. This study investigates the success and cost-effectiveness of having local forest monitors use ICT to collect data on forest crimes and forest resources in Prey Lang, Cambodia. A workshop was held with the Prey Lang Community Network to identify the resources and illegal activities to be monitored. Guided by the community members, a smartphone app was subsequently developed and a total of 36 community members were trained in its use. We examined the extent to which the capacity of community members to collect data was dependent upon the complexity of the ICT and on their age and gender. We also assessed the costs of the monitoring program over a two-year period. The community members were able to collect large amounts of data regardless of their gender or age. They made 10,842 entries of data on illegal logging and forest resources. Increased complexity of the app had no impact on the proportion of quality data collected. The cost of monitoring resembled other community-based monitoring programs but was notably less than for monitoring by professional foresters. Our findings suggest that local communities with little formal education are able to monitor forest crimes and forest resources cost-effectively using ICT; however, while the documentation collected was highly valuable, software and hardware maintenance, along with the digital data validation process, will continue to require external support.

More than half of the world’s population is now living in urban areas, yet little is known on the transmission of traditional plant knowledge during urbanisation. This study assesses the diversity of leafy vegetables in urban markets and the current level of knowledge and use in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The leafy vegetables collected from fresh food markets included 55 species, six of them with a total of 13 cultivars, belonging to 32 families. Structured interviews were made with 49 vegetable sellers. Semi-structured interviews were made with three Thai medicine practitioners and 100 residents of Chiang Mai city. The residents participated in a knowledge test using photographs of six species widely used in dishes and six species specific to traditional homemade dishes. The diversity of leafy vegetables in urban areas of Chiang Mai Province has remained the same in the past decade. Leafy vegetable knowledge and use was mainly maintained and transmitted by middle-aged and older residents. Knowledge and use of leafy vegetables was determined by age and level of education; gender, income and ownership of agricultural land were unrelated. The availability and use of exotic leafy vegetables in markets and dishes was prominent and the knowledge on exotic leafy vegetables was well-integrated in the local knowledge. Leafy vegetables were considered as healthy, quick to prepare and a praised source of food and medicine. However, differences in knowledge between younger and older generations could indicate some knowledge loss about leafy vegetables., More than half of the world’s population is now living in urban areas, yet little is known on the transmission of traditional plant knowledge during urbanisation. This study assesses the diversity of leafy vegetables in urban markets and the current level of knowledge and use in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The leafy vegetables collected from fresh food markets included 55 species, six of them with a total of 13 cultivars, belonging to 32 families. Structured interviews were made with 49 vegetable sellers. Semi-structured interviews were made with three Thai medicine practitioners and 100 residents of Chiang Mai city. The residents participated in a knowledge test using photographs of six species widely used in dishes and six species specific to traditional homemade dishes. The diversity of leafy vegetables in urban areas of Chiang Mai Province has remained the same in the past decade. Leafy vegetable knowledge and use was mainly maintained and transmitted by middle-aged and older residents. Knowledge and use of leafy vegetables was determined by age and level of education; gender, income and ownership of agricultural land were unrelated. The availability and use of exotic leafy vegetables in markets and dishes was prominent and the knowledge on exotic leafy vegetables was well-integrated in the local knowledge. Leafy vegetables were considered as healthy, quick to prepare and a praised source of food and medicine. However, differences in knowledge between younger and older generations could indicate some knowledge loss about leafy vegetables.

Indigenous peoples and forest-dependent communities are known to hold unique knowledge on natural resources in their surrounding environment. However, environmental degradation has diminished the availability of natural resources and threatens the bio-cultural survival of indigenous and local people world-wide. This study documented the plants used by people living in the vicinity of one of Cambodia’s last remaining lowland rainforests. Fieldwork took place between 2014 and 2016. Participatory mapping exercises and ‘free-listings’ with 31 informants and participatory botanical collections and focus group discussions with 12 key informants were conducted across three villages in the Preah Vihear and Stung Treng provinces. A total of 374 useful ‘folk taxa’ were recorded, 90% of which were collected and identified. These species were mostly used as medicine (67%), food (44%) and/or materials (37%) with many species having multiple uses. The most important forest resources for the Kuy people were resin trees of the genus Dipterocarpus, some of which are listed as Endangered by IUCN. Men and women knew similar numbers of useful plants and played different roles in relation to these. Given the many useful plants reported, the indication of culturally and economically important species, and their distribution and conservation status, forest conservation appears to be essential to maintain the livelihoods and associated ethnobotanical knowledge of local and indigenous people in Prey Lang., Indigenous peoples and forest-dependent communities are known to hold unique knowledge on natural resources in their surrounding environment. However, environmental degradation has diminished the availability of natural resources and threatens the bio-cultural survival of indigenous and local people world-wide. This study documented the plants used by people living in the vicinity of one of Cambodia’s last remaining lowland rainforests. Fieldwork took place between 2014 and 2016. Participatory mapping exercises and ‘free-listings’ with 31 informants and participatory botanical collections and focus group discussions with 12 key informants were conducted across three villages in the Preah Vihear and Stung Treng provinces. A total of 374 useful ‘folk taxa’ were recorded, 90% of which were collected and identified. These species were mostly used as medicine (67%), food (44%) and/or materials (37%) with many species having multiple uses. The most important forest resources for the Kuy people were resin trees of the genus Dipterocarpus, some of which are listed as Endangered by IUCN. Men and women knew similar numbers of useful plants and played different roles in relation to these. Given the many useful plants reported, the indication of culturally and economically important species, and their distribution and conservation status, forest conservation appears to be essential to maintain the livelihoods and associated ethnobotanical knowledge of local and indigenous people in Prey Lang.

Indigenous and local peoples are increasingly being recognised to play an important role in the global environmental science-policy arena. In this context, participatory environmental monitoring (PEM) is promoted as a cost-effective approach to collect and report data on environmental trends and support decision-making at different scales while providing significant social co-benefits to local people. However, in practice PEM refers to a plethora of approaches and there is little common understanding about what is meant by ‘participatory’, i.e. to what extent are local peoples’ interests, motivations and perceptions taken into account in designing the schemes. In addition, cases that involve local peoples’ ecological knowledge in PEM rarely investigate local knowledge systems or assess the validity and consistency of such knowledge. This PhD dissertation is the result of a three-year research aiming to explore the role of local and indigenous peoples’ participation in environmental monitoring, with special focus on the social dimension of participatory processes, local ecological knowledge and monitoring of biodiversity and deforestation. The dissertation specifically investigates 1) the meaning of ‘local participation’ in PEM schemes; 2) the motivations of the local people who engage in PEM; 3) aspects of local ecological knowledge (LEK) important in PEM, including determinants of plant identification skills and complementarities between folk and scientific knowledge systems; and 4) local peoples’ perceptions of participation in PEM. To analyse local participation in environmental monitoring and motivations, the research involved a review of case studies across the world (Paper I) and an empirical case study of an autonomous local monitoring group in Cambodia (Paper II). The study of aspects of LEK important in PEM was addressed through three case studies in Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Vietnam (Paper III) and Cambodia (Paper IV). Perceptions of local people towards

The genus Dipterocarpus is the main source of marketable liquid oleoresin, which is important as a source of income for forest communities in Southeast Asia. However, deforestation and illegal as well as legal logging pose a threat to resin yielding species (Dipterocarpus spp.). There is still more to be learned about resin yield, harvest techniques, and the importance of resin to local livelihoods. This study quantifies yields from one of the most intensively tapped resin species, Dipterocarpus alatus, and estimates household incomes from resin extraction in Cambodia. A total of 43 resin tappers were interviewed and 100 resin trees were measured to examine factors affecting resin productivity. Forest-adjacent households were highly dependent on resin extraction for cash income. Households spent an average of 105 days annually on resin extraction. The mean annual household gross-income derived from liquid resin was USD 3,236. Solid resin contributed only a small part of household incomes except for the most remote and isolated village, Spong, in which solid resin contributed significantly to the gross-income. Resin trees yielded an average of 18 liters of oleoresin per year according to interview findings, and yield was positively correlated with the size and health of the tree, and with proximity to watercourses. Finally, yield was influenced by season and condition of the tapping-hole., The genus Dipterocarpus is the main source of marketable liquid oleoresin, which is important as a source of income for forest communities in Southeast Asia. However, deforestation and illegal as well as legal logging pose a threat to resin yielding species (Dipterocarpus spp.). There is still more to be learned about resin yield, harvest techniques, and the importance of resin to local livelihoods. This study quantifies yields from one of the most intensively tapped resin species, Dipterocarpus alatus, and estimates household incomes from resin extraction in Cambodia. A total of 43 resin tappers were interviewed and 100 resin trees were measured to examine factors affecting resin productivity. Forest-adjacent households were highly dependent on resin extraction for cash income. Households spent an average of 105 days annually on resin extraction. The mean annual household gross-income derived from liquid resin was USD 3,236. Solid resin contributed only a small part of household incomes except for the most remote and isolated village, Spong, in which solid resin contributed significantly to the gross-income. Resin trees yielded an average of 18 liters of oleoresin per year according to interview findings, and yield was positively correlated with the size and health of the tree, and with proximity to watercourses. Finally, yield was influenced by season and condition of the tapping-hole.

Background Knowledge about wild edible plants (WEPs) has a high direct-use value. Yet, little is known about factors shaping the distribution and transfer of knowledge of WEPs at global level and there is concern that use of and knowledge about WEPs is decreasing. This study aimed to investigate the distribution, transmission and loss of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) concerning WEPs used by a Mayan community of Guatemala and to enumerate such plants. Methods The case study was carried out in a semi-isolated community where part of the population took refuge in the mountains in 1982–1985 with WEPs as the main source of food. Major variables possibly determining knowledge and therefore investigated were socio-demographic characteristics, distance to and abundance of natural resources and main source of knowledge transmission. A reference list of species was prepared with the help of three key informants. Information about the theoretical dimension of knowledge was gathered through free listing and a questionnaire survey, while practical skills were assessed using a plant identification test with photographs. All villagers older than 7 years participated in the research (n = 62 including key informants). Results A total of 44 WEPs were recorded. Theoretical knowledge was unevenly distributed among the population, and a small group including very few informants (n = 3) mentioned, on average, three times more plants than the rest of the population during the free listing. Practical knowledge was more homogeneously distributed, key informants recognising 23 plants on average and the rest of the population 17. Theoretical and practical knowledge increased with age, the latter decreasing in the late phases of life. Knowledge about WEPs was transmitted through relatives in 76% of the cases, which led to increased knowledge of plants and ability to recognise them. Conclusions The WEP survey may serve, Background: Knowledge about wild edible plants (WEPs) has a high direct-use value. Yet, little is known about factors shaping the distribution and transfer of knowledge of WEPs at global level and there is concern that use of and knowledge about WEPs is decreasing. This study aimed to investigate the distribution, transmission and loss of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) concerning WEPs used by a Mayan community of Guatemala and to enumerate such plants. Methods: The case study was carried out in a semi-isolated community where part of the population took refuge in the mountains in 1982–1985 with WEPs as the main source of food. Major variables possibly determining knowledge and therefore investigated were socio-demographic characteristics, distance to and abundance of natural resources and main source of knowledge transmission. A reference list of species was prepared with the help of three key informants. Information about the theoretical dimension of knowledge was gathered through free listing and a questionnaire survey, while practical skills were assessed using a plant identification test with photographs. All villagers older than 7 years participated in the research (n = 62 including key informants). Results A total of 44 WEPs were recorded. Theoretical knowledge was unevenly distributed among the population, and a small group including very few informants (n = 3) mentioned, on average, three times more plants than the rest of the population during the free listing. Practical knowledge was more homogeneously distributed, key informants recognising 23 plants on average and the rest of the population 17. Theoretical and practical knowledge increased with age, the latter decreasing in the late phases of life. Knowledge about WEPs was transmitted through relatives in 76% of the cases, which led to increased knowledge of plants and ability to recognise them. Conclusions: The WEP survey may serve as a reference p