Listening to biodiversity to measure conservation impact
Listening to biodiversity to measure conservation impact
How coffee farms in El Salvador are using sound for monitoring and measuring biodiversity
Project summary
In El Salvador, the eco business Fund partnered with the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection (BMUV), and the fund’s partner Banco Hipotecario, to pilot a groundbreaking biodiversity monitoring initiative using ecoacoustics. This innovative method allowed researchers to measure and analyze human impact on biodiversity within coffee agroforestry systems, while also tracking biodiversity repopulation.
The project focused on comparing biodiversity levels between shade-grown and non-shade coffee crops. Ecological theory suggests that shade-grown coffee improves biodiversity and crop quality, and this pilot provided factual evidence to support that claim. Researchers placed 41 sound recorders across coffee farms at varying altitudes and canopy densities, capturing ecoacoustic data over three to four weeks. The result: a 3.5TB dataset of biodiversity sounds, offering unprecedented insight into the ecological value of coffee agroforestry systems.
Purpose of the partnership
The partnership aimed to explore how ecoacoustics could be used as a scalable, non-invasive, and user-friendly method for biodiversity assessment in agricultural landscapes. With growing consumer interest in the ecological footprint of their consumption, especially in biodiversity-rich regions like El Salvador, the need for credible impact measurement tools has never been greater.
By applying ecoacoustics to coffee agroforestry systems, the project sought to validate the ecological benefits of shade-grown coffee and provide farmers, financial institutions, and conservationists with actionable insights. The initiative also aimed to empower local stakeholders with accessible tools to monitor biodiversity, fostering greater buy-in and support for conservation efforts.
How we worked together
The eco business Fund, BMUV’s IKI, and Banco Hipotecario collaborated to implement the pilot project across selected coffee farms. Researchers deployed 41 sound recorders to capture biodiversity sounds over several weeks. Preliminary results identified 81 bird species, with many shared between agroforestry systems and adjacent natural forest patches, highlighting the role of coffee farms as biodiversity corridors.
The study found that tree diameter, an indicator of age, positively correlated with biodiversity, as larger trees supported more insect and bird activity. It also emphasized the importance of diverse shade-tree species to further enhance biodiversity. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of ecoacoustics in evaluating biodiversity and guiding sustainable farming practices.
Local stakeholders embraced the methodology, recognizing its simplicity and potential. Farmers, in particular, appreciated the ease of understanding and implementing ecoacoustics, which helped build momentum for future conservation efforts. The project’s success has prompted discussions about follow-up initiatives to expand the research and deepen its impact.
