Agroforestry systems of Mexico: A biocultural approach

We reviewed information about traditional agroforestry systems of Mexico and its biocultural diversity. The review included the slash and burn agricultural systems: kool in the Yucatan Peninsula and tlacolol in Guerrero; the terrace called metepantli in Tlaxcala; the drained fields chinampa in the Valley of Mexico and calal in southwestern Tlaxcala; the arid land systems milpa-chichipera in the Tehuacan Valley, huamil in Guanajuato and oasis (oases) in the Baja California Peninsula; the agroforests kuojtakiloyan in the Northern Sierra of Puebla, te lom in San Luis Potosi and cacaotales in Soconusco region in Chiapas and Chontalpa region in Tabasco; and the homegardens ekuaro in Michoacan and other homegardens in Puebla, Oaxaca and Yucatan. The discussion emphasizes the importance of traditional agroforestry systems and strategies for their maintenance.