The shade trees filter carbon dioxide which causes global warming, and aid in soil moisture retention which minimizes erosion. Provides bird habitat and greater biodiversity. As many as 150 species of birds have been identified on shade coffee farms. Helps sustain rainforests. Coffee plantations which are chemically dependent suffer from soil depletion and increased erosion.
Rainforest is stripped to provide fresh growing ground.
Shade coffee farms are, for the most part, organic and sustainable. Reverses the trend to chemicals. Shade coffee farms traditionally use little or no chemical fertilizer. History Traditionally, all coffee was shade grown. Most varieties of coffee are naturally intolerant of direct sunlight, and prefer a canopy of sun-filtering shade trees.