Of all the agricultural uses for land, shaded coffee and cocoa plantations have the highest levels of biodiversity with 150 species of birds, which compares favorably with uncut forest, reports a study by the Smithsonian Bird Center. A good place to observe birds in the canopy above coffee trees is behind the small guesthouse or hospedaje in the Pech village of El Carbon, Olancho. In general, coffee is the second largest world commodity after petroleum. All over the world, the ecosystems in the neo-tropics between 1,500 and 4,500 feet above sea level are threatened by coffee plantations. In Honduras, sun coffee is grown at even lower levels.
Shade trees help maintain soil quality.
The taller trees provide natural mulch and reduce erosion. Some medicinal plants grow as parasites on the larger trees. Hondurans plant nitrogen-fixing plants near coffee, which contribute to improved soil quality. Shade coffee is usually grown by smaller landowners like the Pech, because sun coffee requires access to credit to buy the extra agro-chemicals required. When large coffee buyers like Folger's buy coffee, they buy beans from exporters who mix together beans from different parts of the country, said the spokesperson.