Converting forests to coffee cultivation (Coffea arabica) significantly reduces organic carbon sequestration payments in the Peruvian Amazon

Gaona-Jimenez N.; Padilla-Macedo B.T.; Saucedo Vega W.; Ludena-Cárdenas J.C.; Zevallos Ruiz M.; Ríos Vargas C.; Martínez Quiroz E.N.; Gutiérrez López J.F.; Saavedra-Ramírez J.; Tuesta-Hidalgo J.C.; Tuesta-Hidalgo O.A.; Hidalgo Tuesta J.J.; Rengifo Amasifen R.R.; Juárez Rivero A.A.; Aldava Pardave U.; Ordonez-Ruiz K.M. · Frontiers in Environmental Economics (2026) · DOI: 10.3389/frevc.2026.1905945

Resumen

Introduction – The Peruvian Amazon has experienced extensive forest loss, reducing its capacity to store carbon and provide important climate-related benefits. This study evaluated how the conversion of forests into Coffea arabica cultivation affects biodiversity, carbon storage, and the economic value associated with carbon sequestration. Methods – Different land-use systems, including primary forests, coffee monocultures, coffee agroforestry systems, and Inga-based systems, were compared. Results – The results showed that primary forests had the highest biodiversity and carbon storage capacity, with approximately 133.74 t ha−1 of aboveground carbon and 40.12 t ha−1 of underground carbon, equivalent to around 638.05 t ha−1 of CO2. Coffee agroforestry systems showed better environmental performance than coffee monocultures, maintaining higher biodiversity and carbon storage capacity. The economic assessment indicated that primary forest conservation reached an estimated value of approximately USD 949.52 per hectare, while forest conversion to agricultural systems generated significant losses in carbon-related benefits. Discussion – These findings highlight the importance of conserving native forests and promoting sustainable agroforestry practices as strategies for climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and the maintenance of ecosystem services in the Peruvian Amazon. In Peru, this information would help conserve forests and mitigate climate change through more sustainable environmental decisions. Copyright

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Alto Amazonas; Universidad Nacional de San Martín; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Huanta; Universidad Peruana Unión