Abstract

GUARNEROS-ZARANDONA, Nallely et al. Family economy and biodiversity index of species in the community backyards of Santa María Nepopualco, Puebla. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2014, vol.5, n.spe9, pp.1701-1712. ISSN 2007-0934.  https://doi.org/10.29312/remexca.v0i9.1058.

The main function of the backyards in the community of Santa Maria Nepopualco, Puebla; is to provide food for their own consumption, strengthening the family economy by minimizing the expenditure to purchase food; management of these spaces also provides options for conservation of plant biodiversity in agro-ecosystems. The objective of this research was to analyse the financial support in the use of various species in the backyard and identify plant diversity. For this, an instrument to a total of 123 key informants from peasant households (UDC) was applied to the community. The results indicate that 100% of respondents have an average room size of 2 936 m2 near the house for cultivation of plant species. The CHAID analysis indicates that, the benefits generated in the backyard as the dependent variable is significantly associated with the given destination as saving and is mainly directed for the maintenance of the family. In the backyards, we observed a Shannon diversity index (H') of 3.4 bits, considered high; and a total of 130 plant species to which different uses are given. Several factors have influenced the backyard production and therefore in plant diversity. It is necessary to reassess the backyard system and consider the additional benefits that can be obtained.

Keywords : backyard; diversity index; family economy; rural community.