Code | Variable | Statement or variable description |
1 | Fertility | Shift from the production of annual crops to avocado (a perennial crop) has helped to control soil erosion and has improved soil structure and fertility, increased ecosystem nutrient retention, carbon sequestration, and water infiltration, and it has therefore helped to conserve soil organisms or biodiversity |
2 | Water | Avocado, like many other perennials, plays an important ecosystem function of enhancing soil water retention as well as moisture infiltration and storage, creating a favourable microclimate buffer zone for soil organisms |
3 | Flora | By enhancing soil fertility, water retention, and infiltration avocado trees improve ecosystem health and support a number of understory vegetation and soil flora |
4 | Fauna | Avocado trees support many fauna species that live in soils, on trees, and in the understory vegetation including insects, bees, beetles, butterflies, birds, lizards, tree frogs, and others |
5 | Education and public awareness on biodiversity | The “Communication, Education and Public Awareness” (CEPA) programmes introduced by avocado exporting companies operating in the study areas have helped to create awareness of biodiversity |
6 | Habitat protection | Avocado trees have increased habitat niches for biodiversity |
7 | Environment | By reducing soil erosion and enhancing soil organic matter and carbon sequestration, avocado trees have helped to conserve the environment and decrease environmental pollution |