This research represents an exhaustive analysis of the chains of influence that determine the diversity of important species (birds and amphibians) in areas heavily influenced and created by human beings: plantation agroforests. Showing how habitat and wildlife species, including critically endangered species, are influenced by farmer decision-making in coffee, rubber, and arecanut plantations in India, the results provide insight into the conditions of biodiversity that are emerging worldwide during an era of heavy human impacts on the Earth Systems: an era sometimes called “the Anthropocene”.

Results suggest the historic importance of large-scale production systems, those farms that are especially dependent on available cheap labor, for maintaining tree diversity and aquatic microhabitats. The extent of these important kinds of ecosystems differs by crop type; coffee tends to have higher bird biodiversity, for example, while rubber is less diverse but provides important habitat for migrating species. This suggests differing trajectories for biodiversity, depending on changes in the global market for these commodities. By rigorously tracing the linkage between economic context and biodiversity conservation, this research therefore advances the scientific integration of field ecology, conservation biology, and political economy, which is important interdisciplinary frontier.

The work further points to the emerging impacts of depopulation in areas long occupied and managed by dense human populations. As fewer children are born (and the fertility rate falls) and more people move to cities in India, labor becomes more scarce. The lack of labor sometimes forces farmers to make decisions like thinning out forest or using more herbicides, both decisions that can impact biodiversity.  This is a matter of increasing importance in a period when population growth has begun to decline in areas, regions, and countries with long histories of sustained population growth (from Iran to Vietnam).  Future research projects emerging from this one may explore how shifting demographics can lead to changing labor availability, and the way this impacts famer choices and biodiversity more generally.

In terms of practical application, the research has identified viable ways of protecting wildlife in landscapes used for commercial commodity production. By focusing on the management of a larger range of tree species and the maintenance of freshwater sources, bird and frog diversity might be protected. Economic opportunities for farmers are also suggested, with “homestay” tourism economies supplementing farm income and capitalizing on charismatic species (especially birds) to attract tourism receipts.

Training for both scholars and citizens was enabled during the course of the research. Postdoctoral and graduate student work helped to develop human capital for emerging scientists. In addition, volunteer citizens participated in bird monitoring, expanding natural history appreciation in India.

Finally, the project also opened new avenues for collaboration between US research institutions and critically-placed conservation research organizations in India. New cohorts of students from India are now being trained at the University of Wisconsin’s Environmental Conservation Professional master’s program. These students will return to India to engage in hands-on conservation leadership. This has further led to new pathways for training Indian conservation scientists and practitioners in the United States and opened potential future research exchanges.

Last Modified: 03/30/2016
Modified by: Paul Robbins