Socio-agronomic classification and plant diversity of the coffee agroecosystem in Chiapas, Mexico

Luis Alberto Somá-Álvarez, Francisco Guevara-Hernandez, Manuel Alejandro La O-Arias, Luis Reyes-Muro, Flora Bonazzi-Piasentin

Abstract


Background: The coffee agroecosystem (Coffea arabica L.) in Chiapas has traditionally been based on the conservation of natural resources. However, the introduction of new varieties and the use of agrochemicals have altered both the biological diversity and the productivity of the agroecosystem. Objective: To typify the coffee agroecosystem of the municipality of Villa Corzo, Chiapas, Mexico, using a socio-agronomic approach, and to assess plant diversity and the use value of plant species. Methodology: Eighty semi structured interviews were conducted with coffee producers using the snowball sampling technique. For agroecosystem typification, data were analyzed through factorial analysis using the principal components method and hierarchical cluster analysis. Plant diversity was assessed using the Shannon and Weaver diversity index, and the use of plant species was evaluated through the Use Value Index (UVI). Results: Various types of production systems were identified within the coffee agroecosystem in Villa Corzo, Chiapas, resulting in four groups defined by the socio-agronomic characteristics of the producers managing them, structured around five principal components that explain 72.9 % of the total variability. The typical coffee agroecosystem exhibited the highest plant diversity (H´ = 1.95) and managed 31 species. The highest Use Value Index was recorded for species such as caspirola (Inga laurina S.), cedar (Cedrela odorata L.), chalum (Inga micheliana H.), chayote (Sechium edule L.), mango (Mangifera indica L.), medlar (Mespilus germanica L.), and the Musaceae family, with uses ranging from food, timber, shade, and firewood. Implications: Identifying producer types within the coffee agroecosystem from a socio-agronomic perspective enables the development of targeted management strategies and conservation actions according to the specific characteristics of producers in Villa Corzo, Chiapas. Conclusions: Four profiles of coffee producers were identified in Villa Corzo, Chiapas, with typical and technified producers predominating. Overall plant diversity in the agroecosystems was low, although the typical system registered the highest number of species. Shade and subsistence species stood out as those with the highest use value for producers.

Keywords


Coffea arabica; agroforestry systems; use value index; coffee producers.

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References


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URN: http://www.revista.ccba.uady.mx/urn:ISSN:1870-0462-tsaes.v29i2.68906

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.56369/tsaes.6890

Copyright (c) 2026 Francisco Guevara-Hernandez, Luis Alberto Somá-Álvarez, Manuel Alejandro La O-Arias, Luis Reyes-Muro, Flora Bonazzi-Piasentin

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