Ecosistemas Naturales y Seminaturales
Tropical fruit shrub plantation of coffee (Coffea spp.)
VEGETATION
Photo E25F5. Tropical fruit shrub plantation of coffee (Coffea spp.). Photo taken at sample point 282 at the locality of Pilares, Cañas Gordas (8°, 44´ N; 82°, 54´ W). The coffee plants show a pale green foliage, indicating the young age of the leaves.
Photo E25F1. Tropical fruit shrub plantation of coffee (Coffea spp.). Photo taken at sample point 282 at the locality of Pilares, Cañas Gordas (8°, 44´ N; 82°, 54´ W). The density of this coffee plantation is clearly noted.
Physiognomy: Dense shrubland
Foliar phenology of the dominant layer: Perennial
Leaf type of the dominant layer: Broad-leaved
Stratification: Defined layers
Spinosity: Not spiny
Height: 1-5 m
ALTITUDINAL DISTRIBUTION
Altitudinal belt: Premontane (100%)

CLIMATE
Thermal province: Subtropical (100%)
Humidity province: Very humid (100%)
Length of the dry season (dry months): 1-2 (100%)

HYDROLOGY
Hydrological regime: Well-drained
Flooding: Unflooded

GEOMORPHOLOGY

Land form: Denudation (36%), Volcanic origin (64%)

SOIL
Soil order: Inceptisol (100%)

HUMAN IMPACT
State: Cultural
Actual influence: Very disturbed
Actual land use: Agriculture with perennial crop
Observed Floristic Composition
Trees
Citrus sinensis (RUT), Sapium sp. (EUP)
Fig. E25M1. Distribution of the Tropical fruit shrub plantation of coffee (Coffea spp.) in the Osa Conservation Area.
Fig. E25P1. Schematic lateral vegetation profile of the Tropical fruit shrub plantation of coffee (Coffea spp.).
Shrubs
Coffea arabica (RUB), Yucca guatemalensis (AGA).
Herbs
Acalypha sp. (EUP), Bidens pilosa (AST), Cyperus sp. (CYP), Kyllingia sp. (CYP), Musa acuminata (MUS), Paspalum sp. (POA), Spermacoce sp. (RUB), Xanthosoma sp. (ARA).
Source:
Kappelle, M., M. Castro, H. Acevedo, L. González, & H. Monge. 2002 (in press). Ecosistemas del Área de Conservación Osa, Costa Rica. Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía (MINAE) & Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad (INBio). INBio, Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica.