Abstract

JIMENEZ-MENDOZA, María Elena et al. Use of firewood in a community in the Southern Sierra of Oaxaca, Mexico. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2023, vol.14, n.76, pp.22-49.  Epub June 19, 2023. ISSN 2007-1132.  https://doi.org/10.29298/rmcf.v14i76.1300.

In several rural communities in Mexico, wood plays an important role as an energy source. Depending on the geographic area, different tree species are used as fuel, and each locality has its knowledge of collecting and using firewood. This work aims to taxonomically locate the main forest species used as fuelwood and to analyze their appropriation, use, management, and energy quality in San Sebastián Coatlán, Miahuatlán municipality, state of Oaxaca. Forty-five families were selected and interviewed through a semi-structured survey, using the snowball sampling. The basic density and calorific value of wood of the identified species were determined according to ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards. The results indicate that 40 % of the interviewees use firewood exclusively, and 60 % use firewood and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Twelve species were recorded as being used as firewood, the most used species are: Quercus laurina 22 %, Q. glaucoides 18 % and Q. resinosa 17 %. The species basic density varied from 0.50 to 0.81 g cm-3 for Lippia myriocephala and Dodonaea viscosa, respectively. Their calorific value was from 19.53 to 21.06 MJ Kg-1 for Acacia pennatula and Dodonaea viscosa, respectively. In conclusion, due to their basic density, calorific value, and distribution in the study area, the species most used as fuel belong to the genus Quercus.

Keywords : Wood energy; basic density; oaks; renewable energy; firewood; high heating value.

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