Cognitive Maps Across Multiple Social Sectors: Shared and Unique Perceptions on the Quality of Agricultural Soils in Mexico

Denise Arroyo-Lambaer,Frédérique Reverchon,Mariana Benítez,Valeria Vázquez-Barrios,Ana Wegier,Julieta A. Rosell,Adriana Uscanga,Ana E. Escalante,Víctor M. Piña Tejeda,Víctor M. Peña-Ramírez

doi:10.3389/fsufs.2020.522661

Abstract

Incorporating the views and perceptions of local farmers and other actors with stakes in agricultural production is critical for better-informed decision making and tackling pressing issues, such as soil degradation. We conducted a study that sought to integrate and analyze perceptions regarding the quality and degradation of agricultural soils across different social sectors in Mexico, including producers of two annual crops (maize and beans) and two perennial crops (coffee and avocado), members of civil society organizations and members of the Federal Government. We analyzed the community perception using Cognitive Maps and network metrics. Our fully documented method to formally gather and analyze local and regional perceptions can be used in future efforts toward the collective design of sustainable food systems. Our results highlighted common and potentially conflicting aspects among the different perceptions and allowed us to identify and discuss drivers and processes of special interest in different regions in Mexico. This study also contributes to a deeper understanding of the current situation of agricultural soils in Mexico and seeks to inform the decision-making process regarding agricultural management in the country.

Highlights

Given the prevalence of unsustainable production systems (Lambin et al, 2001), and in the face of climate change, agricultural systems should increasingly adopt production modes that make an efficient use of natural resources and improve soil quality (Pannell and Schilizzi, 1999; Schmidhuber and Tubiello, 2007)
Cognitive Map Socialization We developed a poster with a stylized version of the Cognitive Mapping (CM) for each site and sector, visited each one of the localities where the focus group took place to present the results and discussed them with the participants
Perceptions, necessities and the socio-cultural context of several social actors are required to attain a comprehensive characterization of soil degradation processes, as well as to develop integral and efficient soil conservation strategies and to increase soil quality

Summary

Introduction

Given the prevalence of unsustainable production systems (Lambin et al, 2001), and in the face of climate change, agricultural systems should increasingly adopt production modes that make an efficient use of natural resources and improve soil quality (Pannell and Schilizzi, 1999; Schmidhuber and Tubiello, 2007). In Mexico, from 45 to 63% of the soils are estimated to exhibit some degree of degradation (SEMARNAT-COLPOS, 2002; CONAFOR-UACH, 2013), jeopardizing food production and several ecosystem services. Agricultural Soils Perceptions in Mexico natural resources and increase soil quality, understood as “the capacity of a soil to function within ecosystem boundaries to sustain biological productivity, maintain environmental quality, and promote plant and animal health” (SSSA, 1997), it is critical to integrate the knowledge and perception of diverse social actors, such as local communities, academics and decision makers (Prell et al, 2009; Stone-Jovicich et al, 2011). It is widely recognized that natural resource management decisions are better taken after very diverse interactions between different actors and across local to national levels (Buckles, 1999). The incorporation of the view and perceptions of local food producers and other actors with stakes in agricultural production is critical for betterinformed decision making and sustainably securing agriculture food production for future generations

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