Participative generation of local indicators for conservation in Morelos, Mexico

Abstract

Useful indicators for identification of plant species of importance to conservation were identified with the participation of informants from the town of Temimilcingo. The inhabitants of this central Mexican indigenous community use resources from the dry-deciduous forest within the Sierra de Monte Negro State Reserve. Semi-structured interviews and workshops were used, indicators and criteria were established, and local dimensions were identified. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed. The cultural dominance in criteria and indicators was calculated and submitted to descriptive and multivariate analysis. Twenty-four indicators, nine criteria and five dimensions related to ecology, trade, use, categories of use (food, fuel, etc.), medicinal use (e.g. treat respiratory or digestive illness), and perceptions were identified. Indicators of Destructive Use and Scarcity were common among species, while the influence of Medicinal Use and its Perception varied. Indicators were connected to kinship, distribution of activities according to gender, level of interaction with external society and level of knowledge of plants. Some local indicators and scientific conservation indicators coincided. During the selection of species of importance to conservation, it should be possible to incorporate non-scientific indicators of Medicinal Use and Perception with scientific indicators. This allows for local participation in efforts toward sustainable development.

Keywords:

• local participation
• local indicators
• plant conservation
• value of use
• perception

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Alejandro Hernández López and his family for hospitality and support in the activities in Temimilcingo; to the housewives that participated in the workshops, and to Andrés Tapia Tenorio, Daniel Ramírez and Maria Helena Cortes Mariaca for their cooperation.