Farmers in the Tlapaneco River region of Mexico were surveyed about their perceptions of different riparian land use systems. While they valued the landscape beauty and environmental services of agroforestry systems, they preferred monoculture orchards because they believed they provided higher economic returns. Agroforestry systems were seen as less productive due to shading and competition between trees and crops for nutrients. Though environmental benefits were acknowledged, economic factors were the primary determinants in farmers' land use preferences.

1. Perception of ecological services of riparian
agroforestry systems by farmers of the
Tlapaneco River in the State of Guerrero,
Mexico
Angel Bustamante‐Gonzalez, Colegio de Postgraduados
Samuel Vargas‐López, Colegio de Postgraduados
Julio Cesar Flores‐Cesareo, Bemerita Universidad Autonóma de Puebla
Karina Velazquez‐Muñoz, Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales
71st SWCS International Annual Conference ‐ Great River Landscapes, July 24‐
27, 2016

2. TLAPANECO RIVER IN SOUTHERN
MEXICO
Tlapaneco River Watershed
4981.3 Square kilometer
(498,130) ha
River: 148 km

3. CROPLAND IN THE LOWER TLAPANECO RIVER

4. Irrigated
cropland
2491 ha
Number of towns 10
Families 1405
Land per family 2 ha

5. CONVERSION OF RIPARIAN VEGETATION TO CROPLAND
50 years ago a process of removal of riparian
vegetation began
The ecological and social functions of the original
riparian zone were changed

6. Mono – crop systems
Agroforestry systems and orchards of a
single species
65% of the former riparian area
35% of the former riparian area

7. The agricultural development policy is toward
monoculture
Annual crops
Orchards of a single species
Productive chains of corn, rice, and mamey sapote
(Pouteria sapota)
Conservationists promote keeping
agroforestry

8. The aim of this study was known how farmers
appreciate agroforestry systems with regard to the
ecological, recreational and productive functions they
fulfill
A questionnaire was applied to 42 farmers
They were asked their opinion regarding
preferences and ratings of four representative
photographs of the four predominant farming
systems in the area

9. 1 2
3 4
Monocropping Orchards of a single
species
Alley cropping system
Orchards with various
species

10. Questions Attribute
Which of the sites shown in the
photograph is easier to work with?
PRODUCTIVITY
Which of the sites shown in the
photograph gives more income?
PRODUCTIVITY
Which of the sites shown in the
photograph do you sell at a higher
price per hectare?
PRODUCTIVITY
Which of the sites shown in the
photograph has less crop pests?
PRODUCTIVITY

11. Questions Attribute
What is the picture that you like
more than others?
LANDSCAPE
What is the most beautiful
picture?
LANDSCAPE
What is the picture your sons
and daughters would like more?
LANDSCAPE
What is the picture the people in
your community would like
more?
LANDSCAPE

12. Questions Attributes
What is the place shown in
the picture that is more
pleasant for you?
RECREATION
Which of the locations
shown in the photos you
would spend more time to
rest?
RECREATION
Which of the locations
shown in the photos visitors
would spend more time to
rest?
RECREATION

13. Questions Attributes
Which of the sites shown in the
photograph you consider that it is more
environmentally friendly?
ENVIRONMENT
Which of the sites shown in the
photograph uses less water?
ENVIRONMENT
Which of the sites shown in the
photograph has more diversity of wild
animals?
ENVIRONMENT
Which of the sites shown in the
photograph is less protected from
flooding?
ENVIRONMENT

14. 1
Percentage of respondents
The place that I like more than others 16.7
The more pretty place 23.8
The less niece place 50
The place my sons and daughters
would like more
7.1
The place the people of my community
would like more
14.3
It is the system that generates more
income
19.0
It is the system more workable 16.7
More pests are present 7.1
The property with a higher price per
hectare
2.4
It is the system more ecological friendly 4.8
There is more wildlife 9.5
It uses more water 21.4
There is more flooding 61.9
I would stay there for recreation 2.4
It is the system that tourists would
prefer to visit
0

15. 2
Percentage of
respondents
The place that I like more than others 59.5
The more pretty place 57.1
The less niece place 0
The place my sons and daughters would like
more
54.8
The place the people of my community
would like more
50
It is the system that generates more income 57.1
It is the system more workable 57.1
More pests are present 45.2
Someone would pay me more for one
hectare of land if I sell
50
It is the system more ecological friendly 42.9
There is more wildlife 33.3
It uses more water 50
There is more flooding 9.5
I would stay there for recreation 42.9
It is the system that tourists would prefer to
visit
54.9

16. 3
Percentage of
respondents
The place that I like more than others 16.7
The more pretty place 7.1
The less niece place 9.5
The place my sons and daughters
would like more
23.8
The place the people of my
community would like more
19
It is the system that generates more
income
16.7
It is the system more workable 21.4
More pests are present 9.5
Someone would pay me more for one
hectare of land if I sell
31
It is the system more ecological
friendly
26.2
There is more wildlife 2.4
It uses more water 7.1
There is more flooding 9.5
I would stay there for recreation 28.6
It is the system that tourists would
prefer to visit
23.8

17. 4
Percentage of
respondents
The place that I like more than others 7.1
The more pretty place 11.9
The less niece place 40.5
The place my sons and daughters would
like more
14.3
The place the people of my community
would like more
16.7
It is the system that generates more
income
7.1
It is the system more workable 4.8
More pests are present 38.1
Someone would pay me more for one
hectare of land if I sell
16.7
It is the system more ecological friendly 26.2
There is more wildlife 54.8
It uses more water 21.4
There is more flooding 19
I would stay there for recreation 26.2
It is the system that tourists would
prefer to visit
21.4

18. According to de question which of the production systems
shown in the photograph you prefer for your land? The
respondents prefer the orchard of a single species.
This is associated with a perception of productivity and
profitability.
Although respondents value the environmental services of
agroforestry systems and orchards, the determining factor
in his preference is the economic value of the production
system.
They consider that the growth of trees on their land have
effects such as shading and competition for nutrients,
reducing production and economic returns.

19. They consider that the growth of trees on their
land have effects such as shading and competition
for nutrients, reducing production and economic
returns
Why do they not prefer the agroecosytem
systems?