Landscape dynamics and management of wild plant resources in shifting cultivation systems : a case study from a forest Ejido in the Maya zone of Quintana Roo, Mexico
Date
2006
Authors
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Publisher
McGill University, Montréal, QC, CA
Abstract
Wild plant resources are harvested and managed by people in a variety of landuses,
but few studies examine the interactions of landscape dynamics and the use and
availability of wild plant resources. I address this question using a case study of
common property lands with a history of community forestry and traditional shifting
cultivation. Specifically I ask: What is the perceived importance of plant resources
obtained in agricultural and forest environments? Have forest and agricultural landuse/
land covers changed? How do landscape changes, and in particular shorter fallow
times, influence the availability and use of plant resources?
The perceived importance of wild plant resources was studied using free-listing
and ranking exercises with focus groups of men and women. Remote sensing and
interviews served to analyse landscape dynamics (1976-2000) and to identify local forest
conservation regulations. The impact of shorter fallow times on the availability of forage
and firewood in agricultural fields was assessed by sampling 26 fields derived from short
to long fallows, while a household survey served to characterize patterns of firewood
collection.
Men attributed highest importance to commercial forest products, while resources
most valued by women were domestic resources obtained in a variety of environments.
High rates of forest retention were observed; conservation was focused on forests with
high densities of commercial products. The agricultural zones shifted from a mosaic of
diverse successional stages to a homogeneous landscape dominated by younger fallows
and shorter fallow periods; these changes led to reductions in the availability of
firewood and some forage species. Firewood collection was related to accessibility;
areas with the least amount of firewood available (short-fallow cycles and low forest
cover) experienced the highest collection pressure.
The findings demonstrate that indigenous territories can be very dynamic, even
when rates of forest conservation are high, and that changes in land-use and landscape
structure have important implications for the availability and use of wild plant resources.
A conceptual model linking landscape dynamics to wild plant use is proposed and the
significance of the results for community-based conservation initiatives is discussed.
Description
Includes abstract in French
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Keywords
WILD PLANTS, SHIFTING CULTIVATION, RESOURCES MANAGEMENT, COMMUNAL LAND, INDIGENOUS POPULATION, LAND USE, COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, MEXICO, ETHNOLOGY, GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS, FOREST CONSERVATION, GENDER ANALYSIS, REMOTE SENSING, RESEARCH METHODS