Introduction:

Firewood is the main source of energy for developing countries.

Objective:

The relationship between the inhabitants of a cultural landscape and the consumption of firewood, and between the preferences of use and the relative importance of the species were marked.

Materials and methods:

A total of 132 semi-structured surveys were conducted in the region of Calakmul, Campeche, Mexico, to analyze the consumption of firewood. The importance value index (IVI) of the species harvested in the region was obtained in nine plots of 500 m2, divided into three classes of successional age: 7 to 10 years (class one), 11 to 20 years (class two), and over 20 years old (class three).

Results and dicussion:

A total of 60 species used as firewood were recorded. There was no correspondence between the preferred species and the first places of the IVI. The species most commonly used as firewood was Haematoxylum campechianum L. The species richness increased (59 to 68) and the number of individuals decreased (2 559 to 921) as the age of the vegetation increased. Firewood collection is a subsistence strategy that focuses on the elderly; traditional practices are at risk in the medium term.

Conclusion:

The cultural landscape and the preservation of forest resources should be addressed with strategies of promotion and training on the use of firewood as an energy resource.