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Complex Systems, Agroecological Matrices, and Management of Forest Resources: An Example of an Application in Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico

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  • Carlos H. Ávila-Bello

    (Facultad de Ingeniería en Sistemas de Producción Agropecuaria, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz 96000, Mexico)

  • Ángel Héctor Hernández-Romero

    (Facultad de Ingeniería en Sistemas de Producción Agropecuaria, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz 96000, Mexico)

  • Martín Alfonso Mendoza-Briseño

    (Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Veracruz, Veracruz 91700, Mexico)

  • Dinora Vázquez-Luna

    (Facultad de Ingeniería en Sistemas de Producción Agropecuaria, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz 96000, Mexico)

Abstract

Today humanity faces several complex problems, two of which are global warming and the loss of biological diversity. An agroecological matrix approach, conceives the territory as patches of natural and cultivated vegetation, interconnected to maintain watershed integrity. Many ethnic groups maintain a high biological heterogeneity as in the case of the agrological matrix. This study analyzed features and trends in a specific agroecological matrix, integrating local and scientific knowledge with environmental and social information, as a complex system. For the last 15 years we studied agroecological spaces used by the Ntaj’uy (Zoque-Popoluca) people in Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico. Participatory methods were used to understand social interactions and land management decisions. Ecology field methods allowed us to assess soil loss, litter production, water quality, and vegetation structure. Soil erosion, vegetation fragmentation and social marginalization are the most important problems in the region; the tropical sub-evergreen forest has decreased by about 60%, the deciduous forest is down by 80%, and cultivated pastures have increased over 400%. Coffee and milpa agroecosystems could be improved, through product diversification, along with interconnectivity among vegetation patches, to prevent environmental degradation, and improve conditions to reach food sovereignty and income diversification, in a context of Ntaj’uy self-determination in their territories.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlos H. Ávila-Bello & Ángel Héctor Hernández-Romero & Martín Alfonso Mendoza-Briseño & Dinora Vázquez-Luna, 2018. "Complex Systems, Agroecological Matrices, and Management of Forest Resources: An Example of an Application in Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:10:p:3496-:d:172821
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    References listed on IDEAS

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