Table 2 General characteristics of the 11 agroecosystems (alphabetical order) mentioned by the respondents
From: Diversity, management, and uses of edible plants in a Ñäñho community of Southern Querétaro, Mexico
Agroecosystem | Description |
|---|---|
Ejidal “milpa” | Monocultures of native and hybrid commercial corn. Small and medium scale, distant from home, use of agrochemicals such as herbicides in large quantities. Low diversity of herbaceous plants |
Mountain hill | In areas with steep slopes, dominated by trees such as oaks (Quercus spp.), madrone (Arbutus sp.), and ash (Fraxinus udhei). It may have a well or spring |
House “milpa” | A small-scale cultivation that forms a continuum with the backyard and orchard. It is an area dedicated to maize "criollo" (Zea mays), chilacayote (Cucurbita ficifolia), pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.), and beans (Phaseolus spp.). Chemicals are avoided, the only fertilizer used is urea, often combined with manure. Herbicides are avoided |
“Nopalera” | Area dominated by Opuntia (“nopales”) species. Found on rocks, between hillsides, or along roadsides, on steep slopes |
Orchard | Cultivation area mainly for trees, near the house, sometimes as part of the backyard or as a separate area a little further from the house. "A place where many trees of few varieties are planted," for example, apple, pear, or peach fruit trees |
Plain/pasture | Area without trees, usually flat or with little slope. Subject to periodic burning to encourage new grass growth. In the past, there were abundant occurrences of “talayotes” or “puerquitos” (Matelea pedunculata) and wild eggplant (Lycianthes moziniana), edible wild fruits. Wild burning areas have been observed as the reason for the disappearance of these species. In the plain, drought-tolerant “quelites” can be found, such as "quelite de sol" or "quelite de la mal casada" (Tauschia nudicaulis), which blooms in April before the rains |
Plots around the dam | At the end of the dry season (March–May), when the reservoir water decreases due to the intermittent irrigation of the communal plots, "cleared" lands appear on the banks of the reservoir, and are used for Planted with the moisture remaining at its bottom. Foder crops such as oats (Avena sativa) and milpas are also planted |
Rustic greenhouse | Cultivation space on the ground protected by a structure of metal profiles covered with plastic. It is uncommon but present for about the last 10 years. Owned by people with higher purchasing power who are originally from the area but who have lived in a city and returned. The greenhouses are managed agroecologically (for pests and fertilizers), but with a drip irrigation system. One is for family consumption, and the other for “nopales” production and vegetables for sale. Medicinal plants and “quelites” appear due to the humidity conditions and herbicides lack |
Spring or well | Area with permanent humidity throughout the year. It can be natural or induced from a moisture vein from the mountain hill. “quelites” such as watercress (Nasturtium officinale and Hydrocotyle sp.) grow here, and found on the hillside or along a road |
Stream bank | A medium-sized river fed by the Epigmenio González Reservoir and flows into the Tecolote reservoir, irrigating the ejidal lands of San Miguel Tlaxcaltepec through "punteo" irrigation. People cultivate plants at the stream banks |