Abstract
Mexico is the center of origin and domestication of a variety of crops that are now consumed worldwide. Some of them were adapted and settled in the center of the country through agricultural practices developed by historical cultures found in this region. In the place where now is the Mexico City, is until preserved an agro-ecosystem characterized by its multi cropping practices, combining a variety of species such as maize, beans, amaranth, oats, squash, peppers, beans, nopal and goosefoot. Its technological practices are traditional and this trend toward sustainability. Maize (Zea mays L.) and amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) play a central role because around these most of the productive activities are performed. Also, maize and amaranth are part of the biological and cultural heritage of Mexico City. The conservation and utilization of its diversity, supported by technical-scientific knowledge and the participatory approach, will enhance the genetic potential of native crops. This will help the local agricultural development and the sustainability of the Metropolitan Zone of Mexico City. Added to this, the biodiversity of the urban agriculture of Mexico City might provide alternatives to an eventual global food crisis.
Highlights
La década de los setentas surgió la biología de la conservación como una disciplina científica que respondía a la preocupación por la inminente pérdida de la diversidad biológica (SIMBERLOFF, 1988, p.473), desde entonces se ocupa de explorar las causas de la disminución y la rareza de especies, así como de disminuir los problemas de las poblaciones amenazadas
Mexico is the center of origin and domestication of a variety of crops that are consumed worldwide
Some of them were adapted and settled in the center of the country through agricultural practices developed by historical cultures found in this region
Summary
México es centro de origen y domesticación de una diversidad de cultivos que ahora son consumidos alrededor del mundo, algunos de éstos se adaptaron y establecieron en el centro del país gracias a la práctica agrícola desarrollada por las culturas que ahí florecieron. En lo que hoy es la Ciudad de México se preserva un agroecosistema que se caracteriza por combinar en poli-cultivos una gran diversidad de especies, como el maíz, frijol, amaranto, avena, calabaza, chile, haba, huauzontle y nopal, siguiendo prácticas tradicionales y con tendencias hacia la sustentabilidad. El maíz (Zea mays L.) y el amaranto (Amaranthus spp.) desempeñan un papel central, ya que en torno a éstos se llevan a cabo la mayoría de las actividades productivas y constituyen parte del patrimonio biológico y cultural de la región periurbana.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
