Tree-rich landscapes double cacao yields in Peru

Researchers from the University of Vienna, the universities of Göttingen and Würzburg in Germany, and Bioversity International in Peru found that diverse landscapes improve cacao production.

The team discovered that biodiversity conservation supports cacao yields in agroforests by providing ecosystem services like natural pest control. The study suggests that tropical farmers do not have to choose between high crop yields and wildlife protection.

Instead, maintaining tree-rich landscapes helps birds and bats manage pests, which reinforces the production of cacao in one of the world's most biodiverse regions. The findings provide evidence for sustainable farm and landscape management.