Carbon footprint and carbon storing capacity of arabica coffee plantations of Central America: A review

Knowing the carbon footprint of agricultural systems will allow us to create mitigation and capture strategies mitigate environmental impacts. Here we reviewed available literature about associated with cultivation Arabica coffee in Central America region, ranging from traditional polycultures unshaded monocultures. Subsequently, storage data different C stocks a plantation (i.e. living biomass, litter soil). Finally, actions emissions at farm level are suggested. The major findings this review were: i) footprints vary 0.51 kg CO2eq/kgcherry 0.64 ii) Nitrogenfertilization is main factor contributing footprint. iii) amount stored biomass varies 53.6 Mg/ha 9.7 adequate use fertilizers, periodic monitoring soil fertility, incorporation functional trees (e.g. shade and/or nitrogen fixers) plantations, conservation practices biofertilizers some recommended plantations.Key words: Coffea arabica; dioxide; nitrous oxide; climate change; sequestration.