Flora potencialmente útil de la selva tropical en la parte central de Veracruz, México: consideraciones para su conservación

Abstract

Tropical rainforests have been a valuable source of resources for human kind. However, this ecosystem is disappearing at an alarming rate, with only isolated fragments remaining in inaccessible zones and showing high probability of disappearing. The aim of this study was to identify tropical rainforest plant species with potential for human use in the central region of Veracruz, Mexico. A floristic inventory was compiled of rainforest fragments and secondary vegetation using the plotting method. The total area sampled was 5600 m 2 . Using the equation Clench model, the proportion of species inventoried was assessed. This was 85% (tq = 0.85) for the rainforest and 90% (tq = 0.9) for the secondary vegetation. A total of 338 species, 210 genera and 89 families were recorded. Using semistructured interviews with locals, a list of useful plants was drawn up and it was found that people recognized and used 47% of the species inventoried. Additionally, contingency tables and the Spearman correlation test were performed to determine the differences in knowledge and use of the vegetation among villages, as well as in the gender and age group of the respondents. Nevertheless, we found no significant differences (P >0.05). The use value (UV) was calculated to analyze the use of flora. in order to assess the relationship between the UV and their ecological importance, the index of adjusted ecological importance value (AEIV) was obtained. We detected that the most used species are not necessarily those of greater ecological importance. The potentially useful flora was defined based on a literature research, in situ interviews, as well as on their visual and morphological characteristics. 109: 55-77 (2014) 56 According to the data, more than 50% of the inventoried species are potentially useful, mainly as ornamental and medicinal ones, and they provide new economic alternatives for the local people with a minimum impact on the rainforest. Acta Botanica Mexicana

An Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants Used in Papantla, Veracruz, Mexico

“…Previous studies have shown that women usually have more knowledge about medicinal plants, and men know more about timber and handcraft species. This happens due to the sexual division of labour, and external factors resulting from the male migration of the young people inside the communities [18,21]. In our study, women on average cite two more plants and spend more money (17 plants, expenditure: $200) than their male counterparts (15 plants, expenditure: $176).…”

“…Of the 85 indigenous people who answered the form, men represented the highest number (53%), and people from 70 to 85 years appeared to have a more extensive knowledge of these plants. In general, the gender was not significantly correlated to age and plant knowledge [18,19]. Even though all of the respondents generally used traditional plants, it has been common that, in many parts of the world, the women always demonstrate a more extensive knowledge in the use of plants [20].…”

“…Plant species of the Asteraceae family were the most used in Populoca, Veracruz [24], and not only in Papantla. This could be due to the abundance and wide variety of Asteraceae species in ecosystems in the northern and rainforest areas of Veracruz [16,18] and to their relative cultural importance. The plant list reported that a total of 61% of the species are native, 37% are exotic, and only 2% are endemic.…”

Floristic Diversity and Cultural Importance in Agroforestry Systems on Small-Scale Farmer’s Livelihoods in Central Veracruz, México

“…Six of these 11 species were highlighted for promotion as a key species for reforestation in TP systems with scarce tree cover: P. schiedeana, which is important for auto consumption and as construction material [41], and C. sinensis due to its function as an edible product, firewood, and medicinal use. O. mexicanum is locally abundant; however worldwide, it is a threatened species which serves-besides its relative high commercial value [36]-as an important product for auto consumption, construction material, and firewood.…”

Effects of Land Use Change from Natural Forest to Livestock on Soil C, N and P Dynamics along a Rainfall Gradient in Mexico

“…The predominant vegetation at the three drier sites is the seasonally dry tropical forest (i.e., forests subjected to prolonged dry season; [41]), while humid tropical forests dominate at the wettest end of the rainfall gradient. Floristically, Leguminosae is the most important family across studied sites [42][43][44], and the abundance of Leguminosae trees increases with the decrease in MAR.…”