Arthropod diversity on coffee farms in Tarrazú, Costa Rica: sustainability and farmer practices

We investigated the link between farmer practices, arthropod diversity, and yield on coffee farms in the Tarrazú region of Costa Rica. Using pitfall traps and malaise traps, we characterized the diversity of Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Araneae on a range of farms that spanned a range of farmer practices. In particular, we looked at the relationship between herbicide use, fertilizer use, incorporation of shade-trees, and diversity of arthropods. We discuss the utility of using these taxa in assessing biodiversity, and also the management implications of our results for the coffee-growing cooperative.