Introduction to the characteristics of Ethiopian Fine Coffee Bean Flavor Manor

Take a closer look at the growing coffee fruit. This kind of fruit contains coffee beans.

Photography: AMI VITALE,PANOS

Importance

Because of the relative remoteness and poverty of the country, researchers have only been able to come here to do research. Coffee farmers in many countries are under pressure from production, and coffee farmers in Ethiopia are no exception.

Sekercioglu tells us that growing coffee in the sun can reduce the risk of fungal diseases, reduce labor demand, and produce more coffee beans, but at the cost of lower coffee quality, lower coffee intake per pound, and degradation of wildlife habitats.

Overall situation

Scientists found eight of the nine species of migratory birds on the coffee farm, but not in the nearby forest. Sekercioglu speculates that open structures are more attractive to birds than dense natural forests, which are more similar to their habitat in the north.

However, Sekercioglu warns: "Coffee farms cannot simply replace forests as bird habitats." Although all the underforest birds appear on the farm, they have 80% fewer individuals than in the forest.

Coffee Farm in Ethiopia-- A Paradise for Birds

Birds like the blue-throated bee tiger can be found on the Yinsheng Coffee Farm in Ethiopia.

Photography: CAGAN SEKERCIOGLU,NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CREATIVE

Next step

The team will assess the living conditions of birds above the coffee farm because they had previously focused on birds in the foliage under the forest, or eyes within three meters of the ground. The scientists also hope to study the reproductive success rate and population changes of birds over a long period of time in both forest and shady coffee farms.

Sekercioglu also suggested that the Smithsonian Institution's migrant Bird Research Center or the Rainforest Alliance should consider extending the program to Ethiopia; these two agencies are responsible for certifying bird-friendly coffee from other countries. The certification allows farmers to receive premium compensation so that they are less likely to turn coffee farms into sunny plantations or to convert the land for other uses.