Abstract

DZIB-CASTILLO, B. B. et al. Native tree diversity: basis for the design of agroforestry systems in a mayan community in the Yucatan peninsula, Mexico. Polibotánica [online]. 2021, n.51, pp.73-89.  Epub May 06, 2021. ISSN 1405-2768.  https://doi.org/10.18387/polibotanica.51.5.

The agricultural production systems (APS) in the Yucatan Peninsula (YP) have been analyzed with intentions to their agroforestry transformation. However, the resources for designing agroforestry from a perspective of integration to the natural vegetation (NV) with the APS and to take advantage of the potential of regeneration capacity of most of the native species. The objective is design and characterize the APS and the VN according to the natural resources in the YP, in the community of Pomuch, Campeche, Mexico. Information was collected through interviews with 54 farmers and visits to the APS to identify productive activities. In the areas with NV, 24 temporary circular sites of 500 m2 was established. The APS were identified: forestry and fruit plantation, livestock, and agriculture (mechanized, semi-mechanized, and slash and burn) and home gardens. In areas with NV, 45 tree species were identified, dominant species were: Lysiloma latisiliquum, Bursera simaruba and Piscidia piscipula. Considering production systems characteristics, alternatives to incorporate trees in the APS were proposed. Agroforestry plot-level proposals, seek to achieve connectivity between the APS and NV, through the creation of connectors for tree vegetation that generate a less fragmented and interconnected landscape by including trees in corn monocultures, in and around the paddocks, as well as in transition zones between agricultural areas and natural vegetation, using tree species native to the region such as L. latisiliquum, B. simaruba, P. piscipula and Platymiscium yucatanum.

Keywords : agriculture; agroforestry; connectivity; landscape; secondary forests.