LOCAL KNOWLEDGE, CULTURAL VALUE AND ADOPTABILITY OF TREE MULTIPURPOSE SPECIES IN AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS OF CENTRAL VERACRUZ, MEXICO

Abstract

Knowledge of local forms of management and conservation of natural resources contributes to rational management and conservation of biodiversity. The objective of this research was to describe the existing ethnobotanical knowledge about Calyptranthes schiedeana, Lysiloma acapulcense and Handroanthus ochraceus subsp. neochrysanthus, their cultural values, and the likelihood of producers to include each species in agroforestry systems. A descriptive and explanatory study was carried out in three communities in central Veracruz, where 10% of farmers from each community were randomly chosen to be interviewed. Data collected was used to build frequency tables and lists of species were used to calculate: 1) a local knowledge index focused on ecological knowledge and management of the tree species, 2) a cultural value index, 3) adoptability of each species, and 5) the likelihood of producers using each tree species in suggested agroforestry systems. The local knowledge that farmers have of the species is high (0.96-0.97) but differs among communities (P < 0.002). Local knowledge was greater in Bandera de Juárez and Patancán (P = 0.0002) than in Paso Panal, while the existing knowledge of each species was similar among the three species (P = 0.943) (soil type, associations with other species, phenology, and morphology). Although farmers from all communities practice similar management for all three species (P > 0.194), the cultural value conferred to each species differed significantly (P < 0.0001), with L. acapulcense having the greatest cultural value (36.7) of the three species examined. The adoptability (17.1 - 19.4; P < 0.05) and likelihood (77.5-68.4%; P<0.0001) of using the species in the proposed agroforestry systems were higher in Banderas de Juarez and Patancán. Local knowledge that farmers have about the tree species is high and differs among communities.