Traditional Agroforestry Systems and Conservation of Native Plant Diversity of Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests

Traditional agroforestry systems (TAFS) in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, Mexico, demonstrate significant potential for conserving native plant diversity in seasonally dry tropical forests. These systems maintain 68% of species and 53% of individual abundance found in adjacent tropical dry forests (TDF), including 30% of Mexico's endemic plants. Despite similar species richness between TAFS and TDF, the high species turnover (74%) in both suggests that multiple sites are necessary to preserve regional diversity. Peasants' motivations for maintaining native vegetation include material, non-material, and regulatory factors, highlighting the socio-ecological benefits of TAFS. This study underscores the importance of integrating traditional practices with conservation efforts to balance biodiversity protection and social well-being.

Rendón-Sandoval, F. J., Casas, A., Moreno-Calles, A. I., Torres-García, I., & García-Frapolli, E. (2020). Traditional Agroforestry Systems and Conservation of Native Plant Diversity of Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests. Sustainability, 12(11), 4600. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12114600