Coffee Shade Calculator for Agroforestry Design
Test how the distribution of shade trees changes simulated shade across a coffee planting. Keep the plot and tree dimensions constant, compare spacing alternatives, and inspect the pattern at selected dates and times.
- A spacing value does not show where shade falls between coffee rows or where neighboring tree shadows overlap.
- Changing shade-tree distribution, row orientation, crown dimensions, date, or time can alter simulated coverage.
- Controlled scenarios help separate the effect of spacing from other design variables.
- Build the shade-tree pattern: Represent the coffee plot and place shade trees in rows or another planting pattern.
- Compare 6 × 6 m and 8 × 8 m: Create two scenarios with identical tree dimensions and time settings, changing only spacing.
- Inspect shade coverage: Use temporal simulation and the 2D result to see how footprint overlap and open areas change.
- A controlled coffee-spacing comparison: Start with shade trees at 6 × 6 m. Duplicate the scenario, change the arrangement to 8 × 8 m, and run both for the same location, date, and hours. The result visualizes spacing effects without treating them as an agronomic prescription.
- Parameters: Shade-tree spacing, Tree and crown dimensions, Row orientation, Date and time
- What to inspect: Inspect the simulated shade map and coverage pattern for each spacing alternative under matching conditions.
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