Speaker: Dr. Cheryl D. Nath (French Institute of Pondicherry)
Organiser : Department of Ecology, French Institute of Pondicherry.
Abstract
Privately owned coffee agroforestry systems (CAFs) in Kodagu district of Karnataka harbour more tree species than many other coffee-producing areas elsewhere in the world. Local traditions and practices also suggest that farmers have an intrinsic appreciation of biodiversity. However, the economics of coffee production combined with current public policies appear to favour the planting of exotic trees over native species. Thus, the exotic timber species Grevillea robusta is widely planted as a short-term buffer against coffee price fluctuations, despite its relatively low timber value.
In this talk I focus on a project to monitor tree growth rates in CAFs of Kodagu, with the aim of comparing the growth of common native trees against that of G. robusta. Analysis of data showed that at least one native species, Acrocarpus fraxinifolius, has a growth rate equivalent to that of Silver oak, especially in the western side of the district. In these areas, it could therefore be advantageous to encourage farmers to grow more of A. fraxinifolius and less of G. robusta. Growth rates of species also were assessed in relation to local site conditions such as topography and neighbour competition. The identification of fast growing native species serves as a first step towards encouraging farmers to plant more native tree species. Further studies to complement the current work also are recommended.
