Effect of native tree legumes on soil restoration under agroforestry systems in the South of Mexico

摘要

According to the FAO (1996), the most severely damaged ecosystems in the world are located in tropical indigenous communities and are due to the change caused by indiscriminate soil-use, a change that has accelerated during the last three decades. InMexico, which is part of this environmental problem, more than 85% of our territory shows various soil degradation problems, particularly biological soil degradation and erosion. These conditions are found in both the lowland and mountainous tropical areas in the south of Mexico (Gama et al., 1996). Looking for ecological and socioeconomic alternatives that could be adapted to these areas, we believe that agroforestry systems offer one of the best options. Many of the tree and shrub species that have been incorporated into these systems are legumes. The importance of these species in soil restoration and soil fertility maintenance is well known (Nair, 1984; Young, 1997; Tornquist et al., 1999). The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of an agroforestry system with three native woody legumes established in disturbed deciduous tropical forest soils (Entisols) that have been opened to annual agriculture and pasturage.