Abstract

MEDELLIN-MORALES, Sergio G. et al. Traditional Knowledge and Valuation of Useful Plants in El Cielo Biosphere Reserve, Tamaulipas, México. agric. soc. desarro [online]. 2018, vol.15, n.3, pp.354-377. ISSN 1870-5472.

The research was carried out in two ejidos, Alta Cima and San José, El Cielo Biosphere Reserve, from December 2012 to March 2016. Objectives: a) to determine the wealth of useful plants; b) to calculate the level of preference of inhabitants regarding these; and c) to define priorities for conservation and sustainable exploitation through socioeconomic and ecological valuation. Random interviews were performed with 30 % of the households; 20 interviews with quality informants; and two community participative workshops. Various methodologies were used to obtain the “use value” and priorities for conservation. The following were identified: 156 preferred useful plants and 62 botanical families, with the most frequent being Labiatae, Rosaceae, Asteraceae and Fabaceae. The taxa with highest use value were cimarrón walnut (Juglans mollis Engelm.), berry (Maclura tinctoria (L.) D. Don ex Steud.), malva babosa (Heliocarpus donellsmithii Rose), maravilla (Mirabilis jalapa L.), and Mexican royal oak (Quercus germana Schltdl. & Cham.). These use values are not necessarily related to their economic, ecological and social valuation. The species with highest socioeconomic and ecological valuation are five species, vital for the economy and subsistence in El Cielo Biosphere Reserve (Reserva de la Biosfera El Cielo, RBEC): palmilla (Chamaedorea radicalis Mart.), wild blackberries (Rubus sapidus Schltdl. and Rubus coriifolius Liebm.), and wild grapes (Vitis cinerea (Engelm.) Millardet and Vitis tiliifolia Humb. & Bonpl. ex Schult.).

Keywords : natural protected area; mountainous mesophyll forest; peasant communities; ethnobotany; use value.

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