In June, Mongabay published a detailed article on the protection of golden-headed lion tamarins and in particular the role that biodiversity-friendly cocoa cultivation plays in this. The article also focused on AMAP's project work in the region.
Golden-headed lion tamarins are the iconic animal for species and biodiversity conservation in the region and are known far beyond its borders. The population and range of golden-headed lion tamarins have declined considerably in the last 30 years, as the recent survey and doctoral thesis by Dr. Teixeira, President of AMAP Brazil, revealed. Compared to the last estimate in 1993, the population has declined from 40-54,000 individuals to 16,522-21,822 individuals and the distribution area has decreased from 22,700 km² to 13,215 km². This corresponds to a 42% decline in distribution and a 60% decline in population size. Only 8% of the remaining habitat is under protection. Over 90% of the remaining habitats are located in a landscape dominated by cacao forests. Cabrucas form a large part of the habitats or connect them. They provide a habitat for golden-headed lion tamarins and the biodiversity of the Mata Atlântica, as well as income opportunities for the local population.
Golden-headed lion tamarin of Fazenda Bom Pastor
The conversion of cabrucas into other forms of use such as eucalyptus plantations and cattle grazing is the cause of the decline in the population. Added to this is the trend towards intensification of cocoa cultivation in the existing cabrucas and the associated simplification of the vegetation structure of the existing cabrucas. More and more native shade trees are being removed, turning cocoa forests into species-poor cocoa forests or even monocultures in the medium term. This is certainly desired by legislators, as it can increase profitability in the short term, but to the detriment of biodiversity. In 2014, the minimum number of shade trees was reduced to 40 per hectare by a state decree. The average number of shade trees in the traditional Cabruca is 197 (with a variance of 70-480).
Cocoa monocuture in southern Bahia, Porto Seguro
In southern Bahia, an increasing amount of eucalyptus is also being planted in monoculture and used for pulp production. Alongside coffee, this form of utilization is seen as an alternative to cocoa forests. World market prices are more stable and thus offer a secure income.
Eucalyptus monoculture in southern Bahia, greater Porto Seguro area
Although the world market price for cocoa is at a historic high, particularly due to poor cocoa harvests in West Africa, the harvests in Bahia were also below average due to El Nino. In addition, there are various problems with pests, especially rats, which are currently occurring in very high numbers and destroying some of the cocoa fruit. As a result, the region's cocoa farmers are under severe pressure.
In order to maintain cabrucas as a biodiversity-friendly cultivation method, profitability must be increased. One possibility is the organic certification of cabrucas in order to achieve higher cocoa prices. In Ilhéus there are cooperatives, associations of organic cocoa farmers, to jointly carry out organic certification and export cocoa more easily. This enables better prices to be achieved for the cocoa farmers. One local cooperative is Cooperativa CABRUCA, of which AMAP is also a member and with whose help the organic certification of our cocoa farm was successfully carried out.
The EAI project supported by AMAP, a long-term monitoring project across different landscapes, sheds light on the connection between the intensification of cocoa cultivation and the loss of biodiversity. The research project is developing cultivation recommendations for biodiversity-friendly cocoa cultivation and ecological methods for increasing yields. The results of the project are to be made available to local cocoa farmers and contribute to long-term income security and the preservation of biodiversity in the Mata Atlântica.
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