Grounds for Change: Analyzing Sustainable Coffee Practices in El Salvador through GIS

Keywords: Coffee production, sustainability, deforestation, watershed, climate change, remote sensing, economy, El Salvador
Abstract Type: Virtual Paper Abstract

Abstract

Sustainable coffee farming is essential to preserving El Salvador’s economic, environmental, and social well-being. As a contributor to the country’s GDP and rural livelihoods, coffee farming faces immense challenges from unsustainable practices, climate change, and environmental degradation, including deforestation and watershed depletion. This study will aim to assess the role of sustainable coffee farming in enhancing economic growth, environmental conservation, and community resilience. By using the tools of GIS and remote sensing, this study will investigate the spatial and temporal dynamics of coffee farming, analyze its environmental impacts, and identify suitable practices such as shade-grown coffee and agroforestry.
Crucially, stakeholder engagement is a cornerstone of this study, integrating perspectives from coffee farmers, cooperatives, policymakers, and El Salvador based organizations. By incorporating local knowledge and fostering collaborative decision-making, this research aims to ensure that proposed solutions are both practical and culturally relevant. The study will also explore how sustainable practices can mitigate climate risks, improve watershed health, and support biodiversity. By combining GIS-driven analysis with stakeholder input, this research provides actionable insights to guide policies and practices that align sustainable coffee farming with El Salvador’s broader development goals. The findings aim to deliver a roadmap for advancing ecological conservation, economic stability, and social equity in coffee-producing regions similar to El Salvador.