What Impact Does Coffee Cultivation Have on Ecosystems?

While many of us in the global north take our morning cup of coffee for granted, behind it is a complex chain of cultivation, processing, and transportation that has a significant environmental impact. Over the next few weeks, I will be discussing the wide-ranging and lasting consequences of each process on the climate and environment, and the measures that Pure Roasters is taking to mitigate its impact.

Deforestation

The coffee industry a significant driver of deforestation. The ‘coffee belt’ spans some of the most biodiverse equatorial regions on the planet, with some of the largest plantations being located in tropical forested areas throughout Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. These are home to vulnerable and endangered species, such as the Ecuador leaf frog, yellow-tailed woolly monkey, and even wild varieties of coffee, which have already experienced sharp population declines. As forests are cleared, not only do these animals lose their habitats, but the disappearance of key prey and plant species also disrupts food chains and accelerates population decline.

However, over the past few years, governments, businesses, and consumers have been increasingly conscious of the ethics and sustainability of products, and this has been driving a movement toward more environmentally conscious practices in the coffee industry. The EUDR (European Union Deforestation Regulation) came into effect in 2023, with the intention of combatting deforestation by preventing EU-based businesses from importing products that contribute to deforestation. In response, Pure Roasters’ supplier has put an anti-deforestation system in place to track and manage environmental risks and responsibilities throughout their supply chain.

While legally-binding policy is a major driver of positive change in environmental protections, destructive practices can still slip through the cracks, and coffee continues to be grown illegally in ostensibly protected areas. This makes it all the more vital to hold supply chains to account through ongoing scrutiny. Additionally, while carbon offsetting can be an extension of greenwashing and it is important for businesses to prioritise reduction of emissions, supporting responsible reforestation projects in equatorial regions can play a valuable role in restoring biodiversity as we move toward more sustainable methods of cultivation.

Pesticides

All ecosystems exist in a delicate equilibrium, and the increasing reliance of the coffee industry on a cocktail of herbicides and insecticides is throwing them into disarray. Though insects may appear to play an insignificant role, their disappearance can trigger trophic cascades: chain reactions that cause entire ecosystems to collapse. They are often a vital food source that supports a wide range of birds, reptiles, and mammals, which are forced to either seek new habitats or experience dramatic population declines. The presence of certain insects may also regulate populations of potentially harmful species, which can increase exponentially and wreak havoc upon crops and native flora in the absence of predators. The loss of pollinators in particular drastically undermines plant reproduction and ultimately reduces biodiversity. The use of chemical-based pesticides spreads toxins indiscriminately, harming a wide variety of non-target plant and animal life, leeching into waterways, and potentially contaminating the food and water supplies of local communities.

Organic growing methods are a potential solution, though come with a variety of setbacks: lower yields, increased labour demands, and potentially a greater land requirement in order to meet market demands when the percentage of viable crops is reduced. Alternatively, agroforestry methods can also reduce the need for chemical interventions, as shade-grown coffee promotes biodiversity by providing habitats for a variety of birds, bats, and reptiles, which may help to limit pests.

Soil Erosion and Fertiliser Pollution

Soil erosion is also a significant problem as it prevents native plants from returning after the plantation is deemed defunct and leaves the once fertile area arid and barren. The use of nitrogen fertilisers can be equally damaging, as when these are spread, they release the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (which is 298 times more damaging to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide) and their runoff suffocates waterways by causing rampant algal blooms. This has devastating consequences, as it can disrupt entire freshwater ecosystems by wiping out species and contaminate drinking water, leaving local communities without access to safe, reliable resources.

Open planting leaves soil exposed to the full heat of the sun, contributing to soil erosion and degradation of soil quality, which is difficult to restore. Whereas the shade-grown approach adopts the more traditional method of cultivating plants under a canopy of native trees, helping to protect crops from withering and soil from drying out, significantly reducing the water requirement. The added leaf litter and animal droppings also help to preserve and renew the soil’s natural fertility, reducing or negating the need for fertilisers. This practice may be crucial in the future of coffee production as climate change causes temperatures to rise rapidly, reducing areas of land suitable for cultivation, causing water sources to dwindle, and leaving crops increasingly vulnerable to damage.

Where Do We Go From Here?

While it may seem as though the only sustainable response is to cut coffee from your diet completely, choosing companies that prioritise ethics and environmental stewardship may have a greater impact than you might expect. Pure Roasters is committed to transparency and, in the coming months, we intend to establish open channels of communication for information on our environmental goals, progress, and achievements.

The preservation of tropical ecosystems through environmentally responsible agricultural practices is not just important for the planet, it is essential for the continued survival of the coffee industry itself. Though the path ahead is long and complex, growing awareness and action from producers, consumers, and policymakers alike mark a meaningful shift.