Invasion of Bracken Fern in Southern Mexico: Local Knowledge and Perceptions in Two Indigenous Communities in the Chinantla Region, Oaxaca, Mexico

Authors

Carolina Berget, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Major/Program

Environmental Studies

First Advisor's Name

David Bray

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Krish Jayachandran

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Elvira Duran

Date of Defense

7-12-2012

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the local knowledge and perception regarding the invasion of bracken fern in two indigenous communities located in the Chinantla region, southern Mexico. Bracken fern, Pteridium aquilinum, has invaded the hillsides that surround the two villages of the study site. The use of structured and informal interviews found that although bracken fern is not perceived as a major problem in the study site, it is of concern to the farmers living there, since the majority of the soils in the invaded lands are not of sufficient quality to cultivate corn. However, yucca and pineapple crops can be grown in the invaded areas, and the cultivation of these control bracken’s invasion. Farmers know that restoration of these areas is possible, but they perceive that it is a time consuming and labor demanding process. Suggested management of invaded areas includes firewood/timber extraction, agroforestry and refuge sites for wildlife, especially for two mammals’ species currently under threatened status by the IUCN.

Identifier

FI12080628

Recommended Citation

Berget, Carolina, "Invasion of Bracken Fern in Southern Mexico: Local Knowledge and Perceptions in Two Indigenous Communities in the Chinantla Region, Oaxaca, Mexico" (2012). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 704.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/704