CARACTERIZACIÓN BIOFÍSICA Y DE COMPOSICIÓN ESTRUCTURAL EN SISTEMAS AGROFORESTALES DE CAFÉ ORGÁNICO DE VERACRUZ

Abstract

<p><strong>Background. </strong>The agroforestry systems of organic coffee from the community of Chocamán, Central Veracruz, Mexico, have been established for 29 years; they are small areas with complex terrain topography and scarce information on biophysical aspects, composition and tree structure. <strong>Objective.</strong> to characterize these systems to have local information, useful for decision making. <strong>Methodology.</strong> The biophysical environment characterization, classification of coffee plantations and description of agroforestry systems composition and structure was performed. <strong>Results.</strong> Five terrain forms were defined as: slightly undulating valley, moderately sloping slope, sloping slope, moderately steep slope and steep slope. The main climate is semi-warm from the temperate group with long fresh summer. Coffee plots were classified as traditional and commercial polycultures. Two vertical strata (upper and lower) were distinguished, with a richness of 51 tree and shrub species. <em>Musa acuminata</em> Colla was the species with the highest “importance” value of the lower stratum in all the plots evaluated. In the upper stratum, stood out the species <em>Lippia myriocephala</em> Schltdl. & Cham., <em>Inga vera</em> Willd., <em>Inga spuria</em> H & B. Ex Willd., and <em>Acrocarpus fraxinifolius</em> Wight et Arn.<strong> Implications. </strong>This study contributes to decision-making by producers of the Catuaí Amarillo S.S.S.<strong>Conclusion. </strong>Variables obtained can facilitate the selection of species that respond to specific characteristics of the site and the needs of the producer.</p>