Species Richness In Residential Yards Of The Mexican Tropics: Findings From Development Pole Theory

The richness of plant species in residential yards is the result of the coincidence of social, economic, cultural and environmental processes that occur beyond their physical boundaries. A still relevant theory to understand these external factors is the Theory of Poles of Development. The objective of this research was to know the richness of edible versus ornamental plant species in residential yards of 13 communities in Paso de Ovejas, Veracruz, and the influence that the development pole (municipal head) has on it. 443 questionnaires were administered through a non-probabilistic accidental type sampling procedure. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics (main components), and the application of indexes of Familiarity (IF), Use Value (IVU) and Informant Consensus (ICF). The results obtained suggest that the richness of ornamental versus edible species is influenced by the distance or proximity to the development pole. The influence of this development pole will affect family socioeconomic dynamics, whose members show a high degree of familiarity with the species existing in their family yards, but also express that the generation of conditions of possibility in such a way that part of edible species can be progressively abandoned in their use and management, as happens in a community on route 3. It is concluded that the determination of the species richness of residential yards is influenced by the development pole as an exogenous factor, which disrupts family dynamics in the surrounding communities. Such information is considered relevant for decision makers in the design of strategies to strengthen this traditional agroecosystem.