USO MÚLTIPLE DE LOS AGOSTADEROS EN EL NORTE DE MÉXICO

Abstract

A vast land area of Mexico (965,887 km2) is considered arid or serniarid, most of which is not suitable for agricultural crops. The Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts are in this northem part of the country. There are diverse traditional production systems practiced, including agroforestry. Mexico, as a developing country is faced with problems from the increasing hwnan populations and the new conflicting demands for natural resources, wlúch have led to major resourée degradation. Historical and current land use changes coupled with existing complex socio-economic interactions among cultures, traditions, econornies, and ecology have had significant adverse effects on rural commwúties. Mexico is a country of intensive land use, hence multiple use of rangeland resources is of major importance. The management of natu,ral resources includes grazing, wild.life, tourism, rnining, extraction of plant products for fuels, wood products, waxes, fiber, food for ·human consumption, omarnentals, medicines, and. a varied other products as well as conservation of land and watershed management. It is imperative to enhance the understanding of ecosystem sustainability and to find a balance between conservation and current land uses. Technology transfer to rural communities is of special concem in making a viable and sustainable the multiple use on rangeland resources.