ecolog ical eng ineer ing 2 8 ( 2 0 0 6 ) 205212

avai lab le at www.sc iencedi rec t .com

journa l homepage: www.e lsev ier .com/ locate /eco leng

Lacan : Rof soi ie

Stewart evRonald lia Ecological Engineering Group, Department of Food Agricultural and Biological Engineering,The Ohio State University, 590 Woody Hayes Dr., Columbus, OH 43210-1057, USAb Division of Conservation and Biodiversity, Department of Ecology and Terrestrial Systems,El Colegio Dc Centro de Id Departmen

a r t i c

Article histor

Received 23

Received in

4 October 20

Accepted 28

Keywords:

Rainforest r

Indigenous

Soil ecology

Ochroma pyr

Sapium later

1. Int

Land areaslosing proddeforestatierosion hadegraded 51996). Thes

CorresponE-mail a

0925-8574/$doi:10.1016/e La Frontera Sur, San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexiconvestigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Antropologia Social del Sureste, San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexicot of Agroecology, El Colegio De La Frontera Sur, San Cristobal de Las, Casas, Chiapas, Mexico

l e i n f o

y:

June 2005

revised form

05

October 2005

estoration

knowledge

amidale

iorum

a b s t r a c t

In southern Mexico, where rainforests are being degraded rapidly, the Lacandon Maya use

an agroforestry system that both restores and conserves the rainforest. Their system cycles

through eld and fallow stages that produce food, medicines, and rawmaterials, and regen-

erates tall secondary forest. This investigation identied plants managed by Lacandon to

restore soil fertility during fallow. Through interviews, Lacandon identied 20 plants man-

aged for forest restoration. Leaf litter measurements and soil samples were taken near two

of these species, Ochroma pyramidale and Sapium lateriorum. Leaf litter increased quicker

beneathO. pyramidales compared to other tree species (R=0.48, P=0.004), and total nematode

concentrations increasedwith distance from this tree (R=0.71, P

206 ecolog ical eng ineer ing 2 8 ( 2 0 0 6 ) 205212

management of these groups tends to take the form of cattlepasture (Mas and Puig, 2001; Durand and Lazos, 2004) or short-term milpaland comping, after aLazos, 2004do not retugrass and bductive usedevastatednew lands,(Nicholson

Ecosystethe world ilem (Nichotives or sustion to rainForoughbakstate the imbetter und2000; Longindigenoustive (Long aintegrity (Wcontributeand NegrerMaya, an iwhile maincenturies indomestic pDiemont an

The Lacthree eldacahual (lowest, beforeMcGee, 20maintain a1996). Ecoleld stagespoint of ecocessional gwoody stagearly succe2030 cultialso produLacandon (species andand forest sand regeneless than 2

Lacandodescribed bable fromneering is srely on theplants duriallow the sforcing funtem (Diemois as Mitsc

engineeringdesigned for the benet of both humans andthe environment. At all stages of successional development,

candals (t thes anigh, 1hnesviouse user, 2en rer, 20er, 20acceemisall thatiem).Haith erumlevatolia Bandrrelas. Tnts taryh intainbettmidaselepot

ve tr

Ma

ewsayabimaLacrn-manelEGI,ndin500

Int

ewsineratioskedenerd inwheter th(OBrien, 1998). Uncontrolled grazing leaves theacted and incapable of production, even for graz-very short time (Garciaoliva et al., 1994; Durand and). Following crop and cattle production, these areasrn to a mature, enriched forest, but to degradedrush vegetation. These lands have very little pro-and relatively low biodiversity (Miller, 1999). Landsby inappropriate use intensify the demand forleading to further deforestation and social conictet al., 1995; Howard and Homer-Dixon, 1996).m management and restoration in this area ofs a complex social, economic, and ecological prob-lson et al., 1995). Tools that offer monetary incen-tenance may be important to any long-term solu-forest loss and restoration (Nicholson et al., 1995;hch et al., 2001; Li, 2004). Numerous researchersportance of recording indigenous knowledge to

erstand sustainable land management (Fox et al.,and Zhou, 2001; Hardwick et al., 2004). Becauseswidden agroforestry systems can be produc-nd Nair, 1999) while maintaining their ecologicalang and Young, 2003), swidden practices could

to better landmanagement in the tropics (DeClerckos-Castillo, 2000; Fox et al., 2000). The Lacandonndigenous group that has met subsistence needstaining both secondary and primary forests forsouthern Mexico, combine forest restoration androduction (Nations and Nigh, 1980; Levy, 2000;d Martin, 2005).andon land management system cycles throughstages starting with the milpa, progressing to thesecondary forest), and then to tall secondary for-returning to the milpa (Nations and Nigh, 1980;

02). Neighboring primary forest is conserved tobiodiverse seedbank (Quintana-Ascencio et al.,

ogical succession drives the conversion between(Levy and Aguirre Rivera, in press). From the view-logical succession, the milpa represents early suc-rasses, the acahual represents the shrub or earlye, and the forest is the climax stage. The milpa, orssional stage, is a polyculture eld that includesvated species. The acahual and forest stages arective, offering over 50 plant species used by theNations and Nigh, 1980). By selecting for certainmanaging the natural succession of the acahual

tages, the Lacandon are able to restore soil fertilityrate secondary forest following the milpa stage in0 years (Diemont and Martin, 2005).n Maya agroforestry is ecological engineering asy Odum et al. (1963), where the technology avail-natural systems is dominant, and human engi-upplementary rather than primary. The Lacandonregenerative capacity of nature. They seed certainng the fallow and eliminate others, but in generalystem to develop without intervention, permittingctions such as sun, wind, and rain to drive the sys-nt et al., 2006). Furthermore, the Lacandon systemh and Jorgensen (1989) have described ecological

the Lamatericome adesignand Nthe ric

Premay bGolichhas beGolichGolichlow tosoil chnity inplants(SAWDreviewlatedwlateriowith eobtusifforest,est, cotrationthe plasecondthrougfor cerity; (2)O. pyrawhichate theconser

2.

InterviChansapproxof thesoutheandatsol (INsurroufall is 2

2.1.

Intervidetermregenewere aity regresultegood,whethon recover harvestable foods, medicines, and rawNations and Nigh, 1980). This production does notcost of ecosystem health. The system largely self-

d develops in biodiversity and complexity (Nations980; Levy, 2000); numerous animals are drawn tos of this ecosystem (Nations and Nigh, 1980).studies have identied plants that the Lacandon

ing to restore soil fertility (Levy, 2004; Levy and004). The presence of Ochroma pyramidale Urban,elated to greater leaf-litter (Levy, 2004; Levy and04) and soil organicmatter accumulation (Levy and04), indicating that the Lacandonmanage their fal-lerate regeneration of soil fertility. An evaluation oftry, soil nematode populations, and plant commu-eld stages of the Lacandon system revealed sevencorrelated positivelywith improved soil conditionsont, JFMartin, andMFQuigley, unpublished data inmpea stipitata S.Watson, found in the acahual, corre-levated soil organicmatter concentrations. Sapium, found in secondary and primary forest, correlateded ammonium and nitrate concentrations. Cecropiaertol., discovered in milpa, acahual and secondaryPiper auritum H.B.K., in acahual and secondary for-ted with higher bacterivorous nematode concen-hese results encouraged additional research intohe Lacandon are using during the fallow to restoreforest. The objectives of this study were to: (1)terviews, determine if the Lacandon have selectedspecies to accelerate the regeneration of soil fertil-er identify the contribution of selected species (i.e.le) to soil fertility; (3) identify the mechanism bycted species regenerate soil fertility; and (4) evalu-ential for these methods to be used to restore andopical rainforests.

terials and methods

and soil sampling were conducted in Lacanja, Chiapas, Mexico. Lacanja has a population oftely 400 and is one of three major communitiesandon Maya. Lacanja is located in Chiapas, theost Mexican state, at 1645 30 N and 9108 30 Wevation of 400m.Thepredominate soil type is Luvi-1982), with a clayey texture and neutral pH. Theg ecosystem is tall moist forest, and annual rain-cm (Guillen-Trujillo, 1998).

erviews

were conducted with ve Lacandon farmers towhat plants they regarded as important for fertilityn during the fallow stages of the system. Farmersrst to identify what plants were good for fertil-

ation in the fallow. They were asked if soil thatthe area where the plant was located would beher the plant leaf litter produced good compost,e milpa stage that may follow in the location would

ecolog ical eng ineer ing 2 8 ( 2 0 0 6 ) 205212 207

Table 1 Mean (standard deviation) of the age (years)and diameter at breast height (DBH) (cm) of the Sapiumlaterioru

Tree

Sapium lateAcahualSecondarPrimary fTotalLattice

Ochroma pyMilpaAcahualSecondarTotalLattice

produce healso asked iregeneratioone farmerwho wherenegative refarmers wetrees.

2.2. Fie

Based on insen for soiSapium latewas conducsampling uary 2005 dmilpa, acahufor analysis

Three smidentied fbreast heigTree age watree size reual trees sa

One tranwas condupling locatthe samplintransect waalong eachter point ofA lattice wsixteen samThemidpoedge. Fourselected. Nand with aby LacandoVoucher spidentied incollected aFrontera Su

Within a 1m2 circular sampling area at each samplinglocation, leaf litter depth was measured at three points and

ed. Sidityed, afromnalyz1934horuNemachodethe, 199formact wlee3; Aarasgro

ore/p003)

An

ical are. Swe

. Relan linf theed. Orge ld la

endeweredet

esuld fo

Re

Int

ewsm and Ochroma pyramidale trees sampled

n Age (year) DBH (cm)

riorum3 3.0(1.0) 26.7(16.3)

y Forest 5 16.4(6.2) 78.0 (46.8)orest 1 40 142

9 14.6(12.4) 68.0 (50.5)1 25 145

ramidale2 1 18.0(1.4)3 3.7 (0.6) 24.0 (6.1)

y forest 4 11.5(2.5) 62.8 (7.1)9 6.6 (5.5) 39.9 (22.5)1 8 30

althy cultivated species (i.e. maize). Farmers weref the plants had alternative uses aside from fertilityn (i.e. construction materials). Plants identied bywere subsequently asked of the following farmersinterviewed. Species that received more than onesponse to any of these questions from subsequentre discarded from the list of fertility enhancing

ld sampling

terviews and literature review, two trees were cho-l sampling and analysis: Ochroma pyramidale andriorum. Soil sampling under Sapium lateriorumted in November 2004 during the wet season. Soilnder Ochroma pyramidale was conducted in Febru-uring the intermediate wet-dry season. Trees inal, secondary forest, and primary forest were used.all, medium, and large trees of each species were

or sampling. Approximate age and diameter atht (DBH) of each tree were determined (Table 1).s determined by a Lacandon farmer familiar with

lative to age and the specic history of the individ-mpled.sect was laid out through each tree, and samplingcted at seven locations along each transect. Sam-ions along transects were evenly spaced so that

averagsoil acremovtakenwas aBlack,phosp1951).from enematusingWelterin 2%of extr(Parmeal., 200plant ptrophicOmnivet al. (2

2.3.

Statistsoftwacanopyt-testsPearsotrees oremovwith lasect anof deppointstests toskew rreporte

3.

3.1.

Intervi

g location second to the end at each side of eachs at the canopy edge. The end sampling locationstransect were outside the tree canopy. The cen-each transect was located next to the tree trunk.as laid out beneath the canopy of one tree withpling locations at the intersection of lattice lines.

int of lattice edge lines intersected with the canopyadditional points within the lattice were randomlyon-sampled trees with a DBH greater than 15 cmcanopy over a sampling location were identiedn name and cross-referenced for Latin binomials.ecimens for all plants not previously collected andNations and Nigh (1980) or Levy et al. (2002) were

nd deposited in the herbarium at El Colegio de lar, San Cristobal de Las Casas, Mexico.

were consi(Table 2). Osome wayconstructiocanoes, andview respoGolicher, 2were chosea cultivateddense patcbecause seeamount ofondary foreand removefrom an acaoil moisture and pHwere evaluated using a Kelwayand moisture meter. The detrital layer was thennd eight replicate 2.5 cm diameter cores were020 cm soil depth and pooled. Each soil sampleed for soil organic matter (SOM) (Walkley and), total nitrogen (N) (semi-microkjeldhal), availables (P) (Olsen et al., 1954), and texture (Bouyoucos,atodes were extracted from 20g of the pooled soilsampling location for analysis. Soil samples forextraction were kept cool and extracted over 48hBaermann wet funnel technique (McSorley and1). Nematodes were heat xed. Extract was storedaldehyde, and all nematodes in the bottom 10mLere identied to trophic level at 90 magnicationand Alston, 1986; Edwards, 1991; Dominguez etrancon et al., 2003). Nematodes were identied asite, fungivore, bacterivore, and omnivore-predatorups according to Parmelee and Alston (1986).redator was reported as omnivore, as in Arancon.

alysis

nalysis was conducted using Systat 10.2 computerampling points from beneath and outside the treere compared using independent sample Studentstionships between factors were determined usingear regression. Sampling locations under canopysame species as the tree under considerationwereutliers (|Studentized residuals|>2.75) and pointseverage (leverage>0.3) were removed. Where tran-ttice data were pooled for regressions, the rationt and independent factors of lattice and transectcompared using independent sample Students t-

ermine that differences were not present that mayts. Where a difference was present, results werer transect points only.

sults

erviews

with Lacandon farmers yielded 20 plants thatdered to be important for fertility regenerationf these plants, 19 are useful to the Lacandon inapart from soil restoration. Uses included food,n materials, furniture, arts and crafts, medicines,food for wild birds. Due to uniformly strong inter-

nses and past research (Levy, 2004; and Levy and004), Ochroma pyramidale and Sapium lateriorumn for more in-depth assessment. O. pyramidale isspecies that is planted in the milpa, and acahual in

hes. S. lateriorum is not planted by the Lacandonds are readily disbursed by birds, and an abundantthese plants can therefore be found in the sec-st. Although other species are considered weedyd by the Lacandon, S. lateriorum is never removedhual or secondary forest.

208 ecolog ical eng ineer ing 2 8 ( 2 0 0 6 ) 205212

Table 2 Plants identied by the Lacandon that assist soil fertility regeneration and restoration

Name Use (Levy 2002; Interviews)

Latin binomial Lacandon

Astrocaryum mexicanum Liebmann ex Martius ak te FruitBelotia mexicana K. Schum. taw ConstructionBrosinum sp. ba am bax FruitBucida buceras L. sa puk te Construction and rewoodCalophyllum brasiliense Camb. var. rekoi Standl. baba Construction and food for birdsCedrela sp. cedro no (Spanish) Construction and carved art piecesCordia alliodora Oken bajum ConstructionDialium guihense Sandw. wech Construction, food, and rewoodGuatteria anomala R. E. Fries ek bache Food and constructionHampea stipitata S. Watson tsuk tok Food and ropeHibiscus sp. jor Rope for making bags and hammocksMucuna pruriens L. ka a be DrinkOchroma pyramidale Urban chujum Construction and medicine for backpainsPiper auritum H. B. K. jober Eat leaf with sh, wrap tamalesPiper aduncum L makarum ConstructionSapium lateriorum Hemsl. ucunte Seeds eaten by birds, lumber for constructionSimira salvadorensis Standl. chakax Medicine for skin cutsSterculia apetala Jacq. anis Beeds for necklacesSwietenia macrophylla King puna Construction, furniture, and canoesUnidentied pok te Not determined

3.2. Sap

S. Lateriorutree canopcanopy weand were ththe transecconsideredthe tree ca(8.7mg/kg)to S. Laterias functionwith respediscovered

Fig. 1 Mebeneath anLateriorumt-test. Erro

Och

g alltisticce froodeste thincorand

ns o1.9.as 4ovee, trium Lateriorum

m was evaluated (Table 1) outside and beneath they. The sampling locations at the edge of the treere considered to be inuenced by the tree canopyerefore allocated to beneath the tree canopy; onlyt points completely outside the tree canopy wereoutside the tree canopy. Pwas 16% greater beneathnopy (10.1mg/kg) than outside the tree canopy(P=0.027, Fig. 1). To evaluate if this trend was dueorum pioneering P-rich areas, P was regressedof DBH. P increased with DBH (Fig. 2). Trends

ct to N, SOM, pH, and nematodes were not.

3.3.

Poolinno stadistannematevalualikelycanopylocatiotion ofDBH wto remtree sizan available soil phosphorus concentrationsd outside the canopy cover of Sapium. Statistical results are for independent sample

r bars are1 S.E.

Fig. 2 Avathe tree caSapium Latroma pyramidale

sampling locations for O. pyramidale resulted inally signicant trends (alpha=0.05) with respect tom trees or between parameters (i.e. between totaland soil organic matter). By pooling all trees toe effect of distance from tree, sampling locationsporated some overlap between those outside thebeneath the canopy. Mean distance to sampling

utside the canopy was 6.8m with standard devia-In addition, tree sizes were highly variable; mean0cm with a standard deviation of 21 cm. In ordersome of this overlap and better homogenize theees in the milpa, acahual, and secondary forest wereilable soil phosphorus concentrations beneathnopy as a function of diameter at breast height oferiorum.

ecolog ical eng ineer ing 2 8 ( 2 0 0 6 ) 205212 209

Fig. 3 (af(e), and om

analyzed seforest, theincreased tMean DBHto 6.1 (Tabl

Consideeral trendstrees in thlocations wlitter depthmidale (Fig.) Leaf litter (a), soil organic matter (transect only) (b), total nitrogenivore nematodes (f) as a function of distance from Ochroma pyr

parately (Table 1). For example, in the secondarydistance to the sampling point outside the canopyo 7.8, while the standard deviation decreased to 1.0.increased to 63, and standard deviation decreasede 1).ring only trees in the secondary forest revealed sev-(Fig. 3). To compensate for reduced n in examininge secondary forest, transect and lattice samplingere pooled (see 2.3 Analysis). Log-transformed leafdecreased as a function of distance from O. Pyra-3a). Mean leaf litter at the tree was over 6 cm and

decreased tsect only) (did not exhtrends opp(Fig. 3d) in60 at a disincreased btrunk to nenematodes15 outsideexhibit anyn (c), total nematodes (d), bacterivore nematodesamidale trees in the secondary forest.

o less than 3 cmoutside the tree canopy. SOM (tran-Fig. 3b), total N (Fig. 3c), and P (R=0.047, P=0.78)ibit any signicant trends. Nematodes displayedosite to that of leaf litter depth. Total nematodescreased from 8 per 20 g soil at the trunk to overtance of 14m. Bacterivorous nematodes (Fig. 3e)y an order of magnitude from 4 per 20 g soil at thearly 40 outside the tree canopy. Omnivorous (Fig. 3f)increased from 5 per 20 g soil at the trunk to nearlythe canopy. Trees in the milpa and acahual did nottrendswith respect to soil nematodes or chemistry.

210 ecolog ical eng ineer ing 2 8 ( 2 0 0 6 ) 205212

4. Discussion

The numerbeing impostudy lendand Goliching the soilWhereas ostages (Natthe trees idOchroma pylian or animspp.). Thatgests thatfertility regDiemont arestore theproducingLevy (2002Lacandonproductivitmaintain thyears (Diemest for med(Nations anduration haden systemFurthermofertility maest to sites2004). Reduenhancingfor protectiniques thaand producdeforestati

Traditioand Nigh, 12005). In aunavailableproductioncan be intrnous herbscan only enor sub-soilS. laterioruwith DBH (Fis managed(Perezllorendescribe suminerals indeeper treeet al. (1997)lostachys spmaintainin

The resupopulationLeaf littertree, wher

Nematodes would generally decrease in number with dis-tance from the tree along with leaf litter depth (Fig. 3a) if an

oryatlaclevaristeterivodeucce, falppea000;cor

reesars osultCheof s2001nectar nhe ctionurgeseedermile allf littndaon inial aplanulatepyrathe

ganicfor se der supsoilreO.ander spablethehascae iuptamidas staartehat hesto

Co

on Ml resedious plants identied by ve Lacandon farmers asrtant for soil fertility (Table 2) and the results of thissupport to the hypothesis by Levy (2004) and Levyer (2004) that the Lacandon are actively enhanc-of their fallow stages through plant management.ther trees are removed during milpa and fallowions and Nigh, 1980; Diemont and Martin, 2005),entied by the Lacandon are either cultivated (e.g.ramidale) or are left in the fallow following aeo-al seed disbursal (e.g. Sapium lateriorum and Pipermost of these plants are also useful (Table 2) sug-production does not need to come at the cost ofeneration, or vice versa (Nations and Nigh, 1980;nd Martin, 2005). Lacandon farmers are able torainforest during the fallow,while at the same timenumerous useful crops (Nations and Nigh, 1980).) recorded over 400 plants that are useful to thethat occur in the fallow and primary forest. They of secondary vegetation allows the Lacandon toeir lands in fallow for longer periods of over twentyont and Martin, 2005) and conserve primary for-icines, raw materials, food and ecosystem servicesd Nigh, 1980; Levy, 2002). In comparison, the fallows been reduced to less than 10 years inmany swid-s in the Yucatan, Mexico (Weisbach et al., 2002).

re, Lacandon plant management to enhance soily shorten the time needed to restore mature for-previously used for agriculture (Levy and Golicher,cing the time needed to restore soil fertility andthe productivity of fallows are both importantwaysng primary forest. Determiningmanagement tech-t allow simultaneous restoration of soil fertilitytivity, as does the Lacandon system, could reduceon throughout the world.nal Lacandon farmers do not use fertilizer (Nations980; Levy and Aguirre, 1999; Diemont and Martin,geographic area where phosphorous is typically, P could become a limiting factor in agricultural(Bautista-Cruz and del Castillo, 2005). Whereas Noduced from the atmosphere by N xing legumi-and trees (Badejo, 1998; Okogun et al., 2000), Pter from runoff and plant extraction from the soil. Consequently, the elevated levels of P beneathm (Table 2) and the increasing P concentrationsig. 2) support the conclusion that this plant, whichby the Lacandon, serves as a phosphorus pumps et al., 1993; Badejo, 1998). Vejre and Hoppe (1998)ch a pumping effect of K, P, Ca, and Mg, wherethe lower soil proles were brought to surface byroots in a forest in Denmark. Similarly, Christantyfound that the nutrient pumping provided by Phyl-. in an Indonesian agroforestry system was vital tog fertility of the surface soils.lts for Ochroma pyramidale indicate that nematodes are inhibited by O. pyramidale leaf litter (Fig. 3).concentration decreased with distance from theeas nematodes were found to increase (Fig. 3).

inhibitand Mwere eand Chin bacnematother ssystemtion, aet al., 2

Thefrom tfour yethis reeffect.danceet al.,ducesof foliover tpopulaAugspof treeseed gpossib

Leaare abusituatibacterDenseaccumuse. O.permitsoil ornotedthe trefurthehighertowhepatchy

Othtrees (TduringwhichPipera1979, GO. pyrafarmerin a qutrees taging r

5.

Lacandfor soifood, meffect were not present. Ferris and Matute (2003)k (2001) found that the abundance of bacterivorested with the addition of organic matter. Bjornlundnsen (2005) found that leaf litter addition resultedorous nematode spikes followed by fungivorousdominance as the leaf litter was broken down. Inssional swidden systems, similar to the Lacandonlow length, and thus greater leaf litter accumula-red to increase the abundance of nematodes (PateVillenave et al., 2001).relation between nematodes, litter, and distancewas not noted in younger trees (e.g. trees less thanld), but only in trees found in the secondary forest;indicates that the inhibition may be a cumulativemical analysis of O. pyramidale showed an abun-oluble saccharides compared to starch (Marenco). ODowd (1979) found that O. pyramidale pro-ar on the leaves of young trees. The abundanceectar or other secondary compounds depositedourse of early succession may inhibit nematodes beneath the canopy. In addition, Molofsky andr (1992) found that establishment of other specieslings underneath O. pyramidale was limited duringnation, not seed deposition, which may indicate aelopathic effect.er and thus organic matter beneath O. pyramidalent (Levy, 2004; Levy and Golicher, 2004), an unusualtropical rainforests where conditions favor rapid

nd fungal decomposition (Attignon et al., 2004).ting ofO. pyramidalemayallowLacandon farmers toand store leaf litter and organic matter for future

midale is an early succession species, which wouldnext successional stage to have an abundance ofmatter available at the outset. That no trend wasoil organic matter as a function of distance fromspite the abundance of leaf litter closer to the treeports this idea. Levy and Golicher (2004) discoveredorganic matter near O. pyramidale trees comparedpyramidalewas not present, but this differencewasinconsistent between plots.ecies represented on the list of fertility-enhancing2)may contribute to the accumulation of leaf litterfallow. Piper auritum contains Safrol in its leaves,been shown to have high cytotoxic effects, andn general are notoriously allelopathic (Anaya-Lang,et al., 1996, Xuan et al., 2004). The Lacandon favorle in their fallows for fertility enhancement, butted in the interviews that these treeswill only growr of their fallow lands. Therefore, a mosaic of otherave similar functions may be important for man-ration.

nclusions

aya indigenous agroforesty uses numerous treestoration during fallow. These trees also producecines, and raw materials. Results indicate that one

ecolog ical eng ineer ing 2 8 ( 2 0 0 6 ) 205212 211

of these trees, Sapium laterijlorum, acts as a phosphorus pump,restoring this nutrient to the soil during fallow. Ochroma pyra-midale appeallowing stoshould verexamine thfor soil ferappears tofertility enh

Acknowle

We wish toKin, PonchPaneagua,Ohio Agricubright Progacknowled

r e f e r en

Alvarez, N.Lagrariancase stud

Anaya-LangaleleopaA., VazquRegenerapp. 4284

Arancon, N.diversityvermicom

Atran, S., 19knowledKnowledpp. 1902

Attignon, S.R., 2004.forests o(2), 1091

Badejo, M.Aecosyste

Bautista-CrusecondaSoil Sci.

Bjornlund, Lsite hetesemi-nat

Bouyoucos,for maki

Christanty,the landof bamboManage.

De Clerck, Ftraditionmultistra

Diemont, S.trophic dagrofore325334.

Diemont, S.evaluatio

agroforestry in Chiapas, Mexico. Agroforestry Syst. 66,2342.

guezeen

ulat, L.,resirons, C-inhdrixhniq145H., McessEcohbazaleodutheaTruo0. Shicallivast-tnicolog-TruitioertaloridM.Peoniegaenicityrcalick,ds felera., P.,ulatentociaversInst2. Cados199ca. S, S.I.eriegra, S.I.as dnseecu, S.I,acteomurcie, S.I.cultio ACri, S.I.logicichmars to be slowing organic matter degradation andrageof organicmatter in leaf litter. Future researchify these results with experimental testing ande use of other trees identied by the Lacandontility regeneration. Lacandon land managementoffer new tools for rainforest restoration and soilancement.

dgements

thank Manuel Castellanos, Kin Bor, Adolfo Chano Kin, Jorge Paneagua, Vicente Paneagua, Enriqueand Kin Paneagua. Financial support from theltural Research and Development Center, the Ful-ram, and NSF Grant OISE-0431230 is gratefullyged.

c e s

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Lacandon Maya forest management: Restoration of soil fertility using native tree speciesIntroductionMaterials and methodsInterviewsField samplingAnalysis

ResultsInterviewsSapium LateriflorumOchroma pyramidale

DiscussionConclusionsAcknowledgementsReferences