Local Knowledge Helps Select Species for Forest Restoration in a Tropical Dry Forest of Central Veracruz, Mexico
background
This paper presents a participative approach to species selection in forest restoration in the tropical dry forest in Mexico. Recent shifts in government programming now favor the planting of native speices over exotic timber species that have historically been used in reforestation projects.
Research Goals & Methods
This study engaged local landowners from communitities throughout Veracruz in workshops and walk throughs to identify species that had local value for timber, wildlife, food, or were scarce in the landscape.
Conclusions & Takeaways
76 native speices were identified as locally important species; of these, Fabaceae was the most important family. Species in Moraceae also had high wildlife importance. Of these species identified in this study, very few are commercially available in nurseries illustrating the importance in tapping into local knowledge and making it more broadly available.
Reference:
. Local knowledge helps select species for forest restoration in a tropical dry forest of central Veracruz, Mexico. Agroforestry Systems. 2011;85:35–55. doi:10.1007/s10457-011-9437-9.
Affiliation:
- Postgrado en Botánica, Colegio de Postgraduados en Ciencias Agrícolas, Montecillo, Mexico
- Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Xalapa, Mexico
- Postgrado en Ciencias Forestales, Colegio de Postgraduados en Ciencias Agrícolas, Estado de México, Mexico
- Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Tulancingo, Mexico