CULTURAL IMPORTANCE OF TREES AMONG SIX RURAL COMMUNITIES IN GUERRERO, MEXICO

Abstract

Traditional knowledge about the use of tree species is a relevant component of the relationship of the lives of peasant communities and the natural resources owned by them. This can facilitate the planning and execution of forest management and ecological restoration activities. The study was conducted in six indigenous and non-indigenous rural communities from three regions of Guerrero, to assess the importance of trees in the life of the participating communities. The cultural importance index was calculated, which is based on the intensity of use, the frequency of mention and the value of use for each species. Semi-structured interviews, participatory workshops and field walk transects were conducted. Lists of useful trees present in the participating territories were generated. Pinus oocarpa obtained the highest index in five of the six communities (10.6% among 65 recognized tree species, with six different uses, the greatest number of mentions and intensity of use), followed by Quercus magnoliifolia and Enterolobium cyclocarpum in four communities, both species with values that, added together, give a cultural importance index of 15.2% with six and five uses, respectively. The most frequent uses were firewood and construction (311 and 232 mentions, respectively). The information acquired provides useful elements to document the local knowledge about trees and their importance in the life of the communities, to record the uses given to the trees and the relevance of good forest resource management practices and the environmental services they provide.