AGRO- AND SILVOPASTORAL SYSTEMS IN THE COMMUNITY OF EL LIMÓN, PASO DE OVEJAS MUNICIPALITY, VERACRUZ, MEXICO

Abstract

Characterizing agroforestry systems helps provide valuable information for decisions regarding land use. The objective of this research was to characterize the agroforestry systems in the community of El Limon, Paso de Ovejas Municipality, Veracruz, according to the presence of crops, livestock, trees, and the principle use of tree species. Twenty-four agroecosystems containing livestock and farmers were included in the study, and farmers were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire, and field observations were performed. One hundred and six sites were identified, from which 78 were classified as silvopastoral systems, 26 as agrosilvopastoral systems, and two as sustained secondary succession vegetation. A total of 70 tree species were observed across all sites, and in 59% of the sites trees were primarily used for firewood, in 16.2% of the sites for shade, in 11.4% of the sites as forage, in 5.7% of the sites for fencing, in 6.7% of the sites as live fences, and in 1% of the sites for fruit production. The silvopastoral system is the most popular agroforestry system in the studied area, integrating cattle, Panicum maximum and different dispersed tree species; followed by the agrosilvopastoral system composed of corn, cattle, and different tree species used in most cases as living fences.