Effects of seasonality and farm proximity to forest on Hymenoptera in Tarrazú coffee farms

Abstract

The management of natural vegetation and forested habitat within agricultural areas can be important for bolstering ecosystem services. In coffee agro-ecosystems, proximate forested habitat can provide resources for Hymenoptera that contribute to crop pollination and biological control of pests. We conducted a field study on 12 coffee farms in the highlands of Tarrazú, Costa Rica over a period of 3 years during both dry (flowering) and rainy (nonflowering) seasons. We compared the abundance of Hymenoptera observed around coffee plants on farms that were either isolated from or immediately adjacent to substantial forest habitat. Our results demonstrated a seasonally dependent response, with higher numbers of Hymenoptera observed in adjacent farms than in isolated farms during dry seasons, but no difference in the numbers in isolated farms and adjacent farms during rainy seasons. We discuss the implications of these findings with respect to the potential pollination and biological control benefits associated with preserving forest/noncrop habitat within coffee agro-ecosystems. © 2014 Taylor and Francis.