Abstract
BackgroundThere have been few studies on the sustainable use of non-timber forest products in arid and semi-arid zones. The palm Brahea dulcis has been one of the most important resources in semi-arid Mesoamerica, since pre-Hispanic times. Currently, some populations grow within protected natural areas, representing both a challenge and an opportunity for local development. This ethnoecological study of B. dulcis in central Mexico aimed to evaluate their uses, harvesting context, and potential for exploitation, in order to give practical advice on their best use and management.MethodsEthnographic and ecological information was obtained in Barranca de Metztitlán Biosphere Reserve and Valle del Mezquital, Mexico. We studied the population structure and density; additionally, we evaluated the rate of leaf production, leaf renewal rate, percent survival of new leaves, the development of reproductive structures and performed a one-year defoliation experiment (involving a control and four treatments including a mix of semiannual and annual frequency of harvest and removal of two new leaves and/or two mature leaves).ResultsTwenty uses of the palm were recorded in the study area. Religious/symbolic and handicraft uses are highlighted. The population density of this species was the highest reported for the genus (1244 ± 231.7 ind/ha). The leaf production rate was the highest reported for arborescent palms of the Americas (11.83 ± 0.036 leaves/individual/year). The sexual reproductive cycle was 2.3 years long. A one-year defoliation experiment did not show statistically significant differences. Recommendations include: 1) implement management focused on increasing the abundance and quality of this useful resource in Metztitlán; 2) employ a strategy of focusing on ethnicity and gender in promoting their exploitation; 3) learn from theoretical frameworks of other non timber forest product studies.ConclusionsWe propose that Brahea dulcis is the palm with the highest potential for sustainable use in the arid and semi-arid zones of Mexico. The challenge to improving management includes simplifying the legal protection framework, promoting uses and developing a market strategy. Collaborations to share experiences with peasant farmers from Guerrero is recommended. We further recommend the development of a governmental strategy to enhance and reassess this important resource.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1746-4269-11-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
There have been few studies on the sustainable use of non-timber forest products in arid and semi-arid zones
It is very important that Arid and semi-arid areas (A-SA) resources be studied more extensively for a variety of reasons, including: a) A-SA make up about 41% of the land area of the earth and these zones are increasing in area [3]; b) they are the predominant zones in some countries and regions; and c) some 33% of the world’s population lives in these ecosystems [3]
When the Barranca de Metztitlán biosphere reserves (RBBM) was established, the people of the hñä hñü village of El Palmar, which owes its name to the high abundance of B. dulcis, submitted an official letter complaining of legal impediments to the use of the palm, which have not been resolved to date [26]
Summary
There have been few studies on the sustainable use of non-timber forest products in arid and semi-arid zones. Some populations grow within protected natural areas, representing both a challenge and an opportunity for local development This ethnoecological study of B. dulcis in central Mexico aimed to evaluate their uses, harvesting context, and potential for exploitation, in order to give practical advice on their best use and management. Extensive areas of Mexico, located in poor rural regions, are dominated by Brahea dulcis, where it clearly has great cultural, religious and economic importance currently and in the past [4,5,6]. It is heavily traded in several major traditional markets, namely Tehuacán (Puebla), Sahuayo (Michoacán), and Tlapehuala and Chilapa (Guerrero) [7]. The use and commercial importance of this NTFP is so large that in the Chilapa market alone, which may be where the most of the species is sold, it is estimated that an average of 400 tonnes are sold per month (Cati Illsley, pers. comm., Sept. 2012)
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
