migratory birds and coffee

[Guest guest]

Sunday Times12th May 2002

 

Poison Control

Some migratory birds and coffee simply don't mix

 

Coffee, of late, has been making its presence felt with the emergence of many

new up-market brand names. Some though ridiculously priced, seem not to deter

people, especially the young

ones, from sampling them. Most do not even care to ask about the caffeine

content, although generally speaking, drinking decaffeinated coffee is more

health-friendly.

 

But now there is another question namely, is the coffee bird-friendly too? This

is because some coffees and birds do not mix. But what have birds to do with

coffee? As we know, at

certain times of the year, birds migrate from one part of the world to another

in search of a more favourable weather and living condition. According to the

Ministry of Agriculture, from August

to April every year, Malaysia becomes a transit point for water birds from all

over the world.

 

Malaysia's vast rainforest is home to " more than 700 species of exotic

bird-life, including some extremely rare ones, " according to some sources. Many

parts of the country, including Taman

Negara, Fraser's Hill, Kinabalu Park and Pulau Layang-layang and Kuala Gula in

Perak are bird sanctuaries. It is estimated that during migratory months, some

48 species can be found in

Malaysia. But over the years, the number of migratory birds are slowly

declining. This is where the coffee factor comes in.

 

Birds, supposedly, can act as an indicator of how important coffee is in

protecting biodiversity, according to the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Centre

Fact Sheets. This is because in an increasingly deforested environment, coffee

plantations have been known to be critical refuges protecting diverse forest

species such as insects.

 

Traditional or shaded coffee plantations are considered by some as modified

forest habitats, with shade trees providing shelter from adverse and intense

weather to coffee plants, and promoting

growth by providing quality soil through natural means. The shade canopy also

presents tremendous opportunities for conservation of migratory birds.

 

Thus, due to altered and shrinking habitats, migratory birds especially in

North and Latin America, have turned to the forest-like landscape of

traditional coffee plantations for sanctuary and can support many species of

birds, exceeded only in numbers in undisturbed tropical forest.

 

However, with recent changes in production and marketing strategy, there is a

tendency to grow coffee in areas without shade canopy. This has led to what is

called " sun coffee " cultivation,

involving varieties that are planted densely in the sun.

 

" Sun-coffees " are not considered friendly to migratory birds. Sun coffee

cultivation (though producing higher yield) has caused significant habitat

change for migratory birds reportedly for the last two decades, largely in the

northern hemisphere. Studies indicate that the diversity of migrating birds is

reduced with the change in production from shade to sun coffees as these birds

are deprived of the shade canopy. Fewer species are found in sun-coffee

plantations.

 

To save the migratory birds, each time before making or buying coffee, stop and

reflect whether we are being bird-friendly. Do not patronise sun-coffee because

in doing so, we are losing traditional habitat, and also the rich biodiversity,

including the migratory birds associated with it.

 

Also, the use of chemicals (fertilisers and pesticides) is bound to increase,

thus further threatening the environment. All these could be addressed by

choosing bird-friendly coffee.

 

Since most of the coffees sold in this country are imported, be sure they are

not sun-coffees. Attempts are being made to label shade-coffees so that

consumers are better informed in making

their choice. Meanwhile, we must do our best to protect our bird sanctuaries

and promote bird conservation.

 

Better yet, beginning today make it a No-Coffee Day! o For more information,

contact The National Poison Centre at Universiti Sains Malaysia, tel 046570099,

fax 04-6578417, email

prnnet Recommended website: www.nationalzoosi.edu/smbc/start.htm