BackgroundThe traditional ecological knowledge of land of the Ch’ol originary people from southeast Mexico forms part of their cultural identity; it is local and holistic and implies an integrated physical and spiritual worldview that contributes to improve their living conditions. We analyzed the nomenclature for soil classification used in the Mexican state of Tabasco by the Ch’ol farmers with the objective of contributing to the knowledge of the Maya soil classification.MethodsA map of the study area was generated from the digital database of parcels in the ejido Oxolotán in the municipality of Tacotalpa, to which a geopedological map was overlaid in order to obtain modeled topographic profiles (Zavala-Cruz et al., Ecosistemas y Recursos Agropecuarios 3:161–171, 2016). In each modeled profile, a soil profile was made and classified according to IUSS Working Group WRB (181, 2014) in order to generate a map of soil groups, which was used to survey the study area with the participation of 245 local Ch’ol farmers for establishing an ethnopedological soil classification (Ortiz et al.: 62, 1990). In addition, we organized a participatory workshop with 35 people to know details of the names of the soils and their indicators of fertility and workability, from which we selected 15 participants for field trips and description of soil profiles.ResultsThe color, texture, and stoniness are attributes important in the Ch’ol nomenclature, although the names do not completely reflect the visible characteristic of the soil surface. On the other hand, the mere presence of stones is sufficient to name a land class, while according to IUSS Working Group WRB (181, 2014), a certain amount and distribution of stones in the soil profiles is necessary to be taken into consideration in the name. Perception of soil quality by local farmers considers the compaction or hardness of the cultivable soil layer, because of which black or sandy soils are perceived as better for cultivation of banana, or as secondary vegetation in fallow. Red, yellow, or brown soils are seen as of less quality and are only used for establishing grasslands, while maize is cultivated in all soil classes.ConclusionsFarmers provided the Ch’ol nomenclature, perceived problems, and uses of each class of soil. Translation of Ch’ol soil names and comparison with descriptions of soil profiles revealed that the Ch’ol soil nomenclature takes into account the soil profile, given it is based on characteristics of both surface and subsurface horizons including color of soil matrix and mottles, stoniness, texture, and vegetation.
(1) Background: Coffee agroforestry systems (CAFS) in Veracruz, Mexico, are being displaced by avocado monocultures due to their high economic value. This change can generate alterations in the type of organic residues produced and soil biological activity (SBA) which is sensitive to climatic variations, changes in floristic composition, and agronomic management. It can be evaluated through soil respiration and macrofauna, both related to soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics. The objective was to: (1) Analyze the variation of SBA as well as the C and N dynamics in modified coffee agroforestry systems; (2) Methods: Three CAFS (renewed, intensive pruning, and with the introduction of avocados) and an avocado plantation were compared. The evaluations were conducted during the period 2017–2019. Soil parameters (respiration, macrofauna, C and N contents) and C content of plant biomass were measured in plots of 25 × 25 m2 from three soil depths in triplicate. Spearman’s test and a principal component analysis were performed to determine the structural dependence on C and N dynamics; (3) Results: The introduction of avocado showed the lowest soil respiration values (with 193 g CO2 ha−1 h−1 at 0–10 cm depth), this system did not display soil macrofauna and increased soil organic carbon content. The soil C/N ratio was sensitive to the introduction of avocado. Correlation between soil respiration and litter-related parameters was positive, but it was negatively correlated with soil organic matter and total soil nitrogen, explaining 67.7% of the variation; (4) Conclusions: Modification of CAFS generated variations in the SBA and soil C and N contents.
Nota científica recibida: 08 de octubre de 2018 aceptada: 04 de marzo de 2019 RESUMEN. El objetivo fue determinar la composición florística, y la captura de carbono (C) en los parches de vegetación arbórea del área periurbana de Ocuiltzapotlan-Macultepec. Se evaluaron los subsistemas: frutales (FR), selva media subperennifolia (SM), árboles en potreros (AP) y una plantación forestal de Cedrella odorata (PF). En cada subsistema se establecieron parcelas de muestreo de 1000 m 2 en las que se realizaron inventarios forestales para determinar las especies y se midieron los diámetros y alturas de los árboles. En el área de estudio se registraron 21 familias, 35 géneros y 38 especies, valores más bajo a los reportados para áreas naturales no perturbadas. Sin embargo, algunas especies poseen características de equidad y dasométricas, que les confieren una capacidad para almacenar de 38.99 a 84.82 Mg C ha −1 , por esta razón, la captura de carbono es una de las principales funciones ambientales que ofrece esta área periurbana.
La conservación de los sistemas agroforestales de cacao (SAFC) en Tabasco, México, requiere la revaloración de sus funciones ambientales, debido a que representan relictos de vegetación arbórea en un paisaje dominado por áreas cultivadas. Por tal motivo, se desarrolló una investigación para evaluar la diversidad, estructura arbórea y carbono almacenado en sistemas agroforestales de cacao en la región de la Chontalpa en el estado de Tabasco, México, según edad, suelos y municipios. Para ello, los SAFC se inventariaron para determinar la diversidad a través de los índices de Shannon-Wienner y Sorenson, la estructura arbórea mediante el índice de valor de importancia, clases diamétricas y altura, así como la biomasa aérea estimada a través de ecuaciones alométricas, con lo que se calcularon los contenidos de carbono. Se identificaron 24 familias, 37 géneros y 39 especies. Los SAFC ≥ 40 años poseen ligeramente más diversidad y densidad arbórea. Con base en la edad de los SAFC, la diversidad y estructura arbórea es mayor en los SAFC ≥ 40 años con respecto a los SAFC > (10-15) años y SAFC > (20-35) años; mientras que, con respecto al grupo de suelo, los indicadores antes mencionados son más altos en los Gleysols, seguido de los Fluvisols, Cambisols y Vertisols. La edad y el tipo de suelo determinan el carbono almacenado en la biomasa aérea. Setenta y cinco por ciento del carbono de la biomasa aérea se almacena en los árboles de sombra y 25% en el cacao. Se concluye que los SAFC en Tabasco son similares en diversidad y estructura arbórea. Los más viejos, establecidos en suelos Fluvisoles, son ligeramente más diversos y registran mayor área basal, por lo que almacenan más carbono en la biomasa aérea.
Introduction: The spread of agricultural use leads to changes in vegetation cover, loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Objective: To analyze land use change and its effect on natural vegetation in the region of Los Ríos, Tabasco, Mexico, during the period 1947-2019. Materials and methods: A total of 14 land use and vegetation classes were identified using aerial photographs from 1947 and supervised classification of satellite images, verifying those from 1947 to 2000 with published cartography and those from 2019 (Landsat 8) in the field. Land use and vegetation cover change was analyzed by overlaying and comparing the maps with the Land Change Modeler module integrated in the TerrSet program. Results and discussion: In 72 years, natural vegetation was mostly replaced by crops, grassland and forest plantations, followed by human settlements. These uses, together, represented 14.2 % of the region’s surface and increased to 61.8 %; that is, an increase of 435 %. These uses replaced areas of rainforest, secondary vegetation and hydrophytes, which went from 82.3 % to 29.7 %, representing a loss of 64 % of these coverages. Between 1947 and 1984, natural vegetation suffered the greatest loss of area (53.7 %). Conclusions: The loss of natural vegetation in the region occurred because of the increase in agricultural land and human settlements. The increase in agricultural land was driven by government programs without considering the environmental factor.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.