Local knowledge helps select species for forest restoration in a tropical dry forest of central Veracruz, Mexico

Abstract

Species for restoration forestry on degraded lands in the tropics are often restricted to a few well-known exotic timber species. This selection frequently leads to failed projects, as local people expect trees to cover a number of uses, not only timber. We studied local knowledge of the usefulness, scarcity and importance for wildlife of native tree species in central Veracruz, Mexico, a region with mainly secondary vegetation and remnants of tropical dry forest. Data were obtained from several workshops, in depth interviews of 40 key informants, field walks with informants, and botanical collections. Analysis included indices for cultural importance, scarcity and wildlife relevance. We documented 76 species in one or more of the categories, from primary, secondary, agroforestry and riparian habitats. Fabaceae was the most important family. All of the species were useful for humans, mainly for rural construction, food, fence posts and fuel. Two-thirds of the species were considered scarce though they were not necessarily rare-some were highly useful, overexploited species with populations insufficient for demand; this category included five of the ten most important species culturally. Also, two-thirds of the tree taxa were considered important for wildlife, especially species of Moraceae. The study shows that the local population is highly aware of the varying functions of trees in the landscape. However, few of the important species are available from regional nurseries. We propose a number of species for restoration forestry, agroforestry systems and enrichment plantings that would be valued by landowners.

Tropical dry forests: The state of global knowledge and recommendations for future research

“…Little of the work specific to dry forests takes fuel as the main topic, and rarely is it quantitative (see Turc and Mazzucco 1998;Castillo et al 2005). However, it seems that in the Americas fuel is usually the most important resource derived from the forest, with heavy usage by the poor (de Albuquerque et al 2005;Lucena et al 2007;del Castillo et al 2011;Suárez et al 2012). Ramos et al (2008) found that in the Caatinga region of Brazil local people identified 67 plants as combustible energy sources, only 37 of which were actually used.…”

Fenología y arquitectura arbórea de Calyptranthes schiedeana O. Berg, Lysiloma acapulcense (Kunth) Benth y Tabebuia chrysantha (Jacq.) G. Nicholson en agroecosistemas de veracruz

“…G. Nicholson (Bignoniaceae)--are characteristic of secondary vegetation and are prevalent in mature forests. They have a high cultural importance and are also essential for wild life, although they are scarce in the region at present (Suárez et al, 2012).…”

“…G. Nicholson (Bignoniaceae); características de vegetación secundaria y notables en bosques maduros. Tienen alta importancia cultural y también son fundamentales para la vida silvestre, aunque, actualmente son escasas en la región (Suárez et al, 2012).…”

Trees in the Agricultural Matrix: Reforestation Processes in a Tropical Dry Landscape in Chinandega, Nicaragua

“…Cedrela odorata, have been promoted to landowners as easily seeded with well-known management techniques, there are many other local species that can provide numerous benefits to both communities and biodiversity conservation (Griscom et al 2005, Suarez et al 2012.…”

“…Tabebuia crysantha is also valued locally and listed as endangered but is not available in local nurseries, and several studies have compiled lists of species that demonstrate cultural and environmental utility (Williams-Linera and Lorea 2009, Griscom et al 2005, Suarez et al 2012). …”