Environmental services provided by home gardens in La Chontalpa, Tabasco, Mexico

Abstract

Objective: Identify the environmental services provided by home gardens in nine communities from the Chontalpa region, Tabasco, Mexico.

Design/methodology/approach: Using cartographic and demographic information, a visit route to nine communities was drawn with previous identification of family gardens and three gardens were randomly selected per community. Interviews were conducted about the use of home gardens. Physical environmental factors were measured inside and outside the gardens, and soil samples were taken to determine organic matter and carbon in soil. The environmental services provided by the home gardens in each community were identified and classified according to their category into four types: provisioning, supporting, cultural and regulating services.

Results: It was identified that the home gardens visited provide 13 environmental services. Provisioning and cultural services are present in all localities. The category with the greatest use is the provision of food, followed by provision of raw materials and education. Supporting and regulating services were observed in most of the communities, with the exception of climate regulation, where environmental conditions only allow gardens to provide said service in four of the communities evaluated.

Limitations on study/implications: Knowledge about the benefits of building home gardens suggests that these agrosystems provide environmental services. It is important to categorize the environmental services provided by home gardens.

Findings/conclusions: The home gardens in La Chontalpa, Tabasco, not only provide provisioning services, but also cultural, supporting and, to a lesser extent, regulating services.