First author Carolina Ocampo-Ariza from the University of Göttingen observes insect diversity and birds on cacao trees. Photo: Lisanne Abts
First author Carolina Ocampo-Ariza from the University of Göttingen observes insect diversity and birds on cacao trees. Photo: Lisanne Abts International research team led by Göttingen University quantifies the benefits for cacao production in Peruvian agroforestry Peru is the third largest producer of organic cacao worldwide and is also a leader in the cultivation of native cacao varieties - producing chocolate that is internationally recognized for its special flavour. An international research team led by the University of Göttingen quantified the benefits of birds- and bats- consumption of plant-feeding insects for the productivity of cacao agroforestry. The researchers considered all arthropods, whether they were predators themselves or the pests which feed on the cacao plants. They found that birds and bats doubled cacao yield despite their suppression of arthropods that also eat pests. The results were recently published in the journal Ecological Applications . Birds and bats provide important services for agriculture, including the control of insect pests.
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