BIOPHYSICAL AND STRUCTURAL COMPOSITION CHARACTERIZATION IN AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS OF ORGANIC COFFEE FROM VERACRUZ

Abstract

Background. The agroforestry systems of organic coffee from the community of Chocamán, Central Veracruz, Mexico, have been established for 29 years; they are small areas with complex terrain topography and scarce information on biophysical aspects, composition and tree structure. Objective. to characterize these systems to have local information, useful for decision making. Methodology. The biophysical environment characterization, classification of coffee plantations and description of agroforestry systems composition and structure was performed. Results. Five terrain forms were defined as: slightly undulating valley, moderately sloping slope, sloping slope, moderately steep slope and steep slope. The main climate is semi-warm from the temperate group with long fresh summer. Coffee plots were classified as traditional and commercial polycultures. Two vertical strata (upper and lower) were distinguished, with a richness of 51 tree and shrub species. Musa acuminata Colla was the species with the highest “importance” value of the lower stratum in all the plots evaluated. In the upper stratum, stood out the species Lippia myriocephala Schltdl. & Cham., Inga vera Willd., Inga spuria H & B. Ex Willd., and Acrocarpus fraxinifolius Wight et Arn. Implications. This study contributes to decision-making by producers of the Catuaí Amarillo S.S.S.Conclusion. Variables obtained can facilitate the selection of species that respond to specific characteristics of the site and the needs of the producer.