Abstract

MARTINEZ-LOPEZ, Joel; ACOSTA-RAMOS, Alejandra; MARTINEZ Y OJEDA, Enrique  and  MANZANO-MENDEZ, Filemón. Non-timber forest resources in two Zapotec communities of the Sierra Juárez of Oaxaca State. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2016, vol.7, n.35, pp.37-52. ISSN 2007-1132.

Non-timber forest resources (NTFRs) are the non-woody part of the forest vegetation susceptible to be used by rural populations. This study researched the main NTFRs -specifically plants- used in the towns of Capulálpam and Jaltianguis, in the state of Oaxaca. 40 key informants selected using the snowball technique were asked about the Spanish and Zapotec names of the NTFRs, which were taxonomically determined. Of a total of 166 species, 122 N7FRs were registered in Capulálpam, and 128 in Jaltianguis; 66 botanical families were subsequently identified -31 % at gender level, and 67 % at species level-, and only 2 % remained undetermined. The best represented families were Asteraceae, Orchidaceae, Lamiaceae, Leguminosae, Pinaceae and Cactaceae. In Capulálpam, 20 plants were mentioned by two local names; eight are endemic across Mexico, two are endemic in Oaxaca, 8 are exotic and 2 are cultivated. In Jaltianguis, 34 are designated by two local names, eight are endemic across Mexico, two are endemic in Oaxaca, 13 are exotic, and two are cultivated. 67 % of the flora registered in Jaltianguis have Zapotec names. This information evidences the large number of plants that are used by farming families in the region and of which there were no previous records.

Keywords : Ethnobotany; Oaxaca; useful plants; Non-timber forest products; Sierra Juárez; Zapotec.