@article {612, title = {Los huertos familiares mayas en X-uilub, Yucat{\'a}n, M{\'e}xico. Aspectos generales y estudio comparativo entre la flora de los huertos familiares y la selva}, journal = {Biotica}, volume = {nueva epoca}, year = {1993}, month = {1993}, pages = {19-36}, abstract = {Within the general framework of forest management by the Maya, some general aspects of homgardens in X-uilub are presented such as their floristic compostition and structure as well as the factors that determine these characteristics. X-uilub is located in the western region of Yucatan and it is a good example of traditional management in this zone. Taking into consideration the similarity of species in both the homegardens and the forest, a comparative statistical analysis of all species present in the areas of intensive and extensive use as well as in the forest was carried out. Using mean values derived from number of individuals present per unit of analysis, eight different patterns of distribution of species were identified. The results suggest that there is a mosaic made up of different succession stages, and those species that belong to each stage are utilized, obtaining in this fashion greater benefits due to an expanded plant richness. (author)}, keywords = {agroforestry, home gardens, Mexico, Yucatan}, author = {Natividad Herrera Castro} } @article {516, title = {Apiculture and management of associated vegetation by the Maya of Tixcacaltuyub, Yucat{\'a}n, M{\'e}xico}, journal = {Agroforestry Systems}, volume = {13}, year = {1991}, month = {January 1991}, pages = {13-25}, abstract = {

We present the results of field work and a series of interviews with Mayan beekeepers, in order to answer the following questions:

  1. Which factors are relevant when establishing an apiary?
  2. How do Mayans choose the melliferous flora?
  3. How do Mayans manage the vegetation surrounding their apiaries? and
  4. What is their knowledge of flowering phenology and honey production cycle?

Apiary establishment depends on: no apiaries established at a minimum distance of 3 km; water availability (i.e., \"Haltunes\"); direct access to roads; combination of old and young vegetation (particularly abundance of Gymnopodium floribundum). Melliferous flora is classified according to quality and quantitity of the honey produced; 34 species are considered important at different times of the year. Finest honey and larger quantities are obtained from G. floribundum, followed by Viguiera dentata; the worst honey is from Lysiloma latisiliquum. Management of vegetation is minimum, mainly cutting plants that could impede growing of important melliferous, or protecting ( = not cutting) the latter; nevertheless, some of the most important melliferous are dominant in the vegetation. Their knowledge of flowering phenology and production cycle are quite complex. We discuss the problems the beekeepers are facing in regards to forest clearing, commercialization of produces, etc. (author)

}, keywords = {apiculture, Maya, Mexico, Tixcacaltuyub, vegetation management, Yucatan}, doi = {10.1007/BF00129616}, url = {http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00129616}, author = {A. Chemas and V. Rico-Gray} } @article {658, title = {Starving in the forest}, journal = {Plant Research and Development}, volume = {28}, year = {1988}, month = {1988}, pages = {7-31}, abstract = {

This paper gives a brief history of the tropical rainforest regions of Middle America \—Yucatan. It relates this history to the present destruction of the forests and how this destruction is interrelated with starvation. This paper demonstrates, through an example of water use, how planning and aid should be suited to a locality. Sections include: land use in tropical Middle America; determination of the forest function; exploiting the forests; loss of the forest; traditional [living] alternatives; Milpa: the shifting cultivation of the Maya; conuco; tree gardens; peasants and state projects; and land use planning in the pre-Spanish era.

}, keywords = {forestry, Maya, Mexico, Native Americans, Oxkutzcab, plan Tabi, rainforests, trees, Yucatan}, url = {http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/3048499}, author = {Bernd Neugebauer} } @article {487, title = {Unraveling another Mayan mystery}, year = {1987}, month = {June 1987}, pages = {40-49}, abstract = {It has been thought for some time that he inability of the Maya to feed themselves was the precursor of their downfall. However Arturo Gomez-Pompa, a botanist and conservationist at the University of California at Riverside, has found evidence of raised fields in Maya territory which would have had the ability to support the Maya at their height. This paper contrasts raised field technology with slash-and-burn technology and looks at the advantages of raised fields over both slash and burn and modern agriculture.}, keywords = {citrus, cocao, mahogany, mamey, Maya, pet kot, rainforests, raised fields, raman, sapodilla, sapote, slash and burn, Yucatan}, author = {Allan Chen} }