Community Landscape Planning for Rural Areas: A Model for Biocultural Resource Management

Abstract

We propose a theoretical model for resource management in the tropics that includes biological and cultural aspects, called the Biocultural Resource Management Model. The model is a strategy for co-responsible landscape planning that could be implemented in rural areas with local populations as the drivers of conservation, restoration, and management of natural resources. It comprises different units of production and management conservation levels and outlines the social and environmental aspects. The model was derived from a 10-year working experience in Mexico through the nongovernmental organization Programa de Acción Forestal Tropical (PROAFT) and the evaluation of 24 management conservation projects, from 20 different organizations and 1421 participants. The model takes into account PROAFT's evaluation regarding the successful participatory research experiences that enhanced diversification of agroecosystems and social organization. We propose and discuss a strategy and the challenges for the model implementation and its further evaluation in rural Mexican communities.