Environmental Studies and Forestry

An intermediate level of disturbance with customary agricultural practices increases species diversity in Maya community forests in Belize

S. S. Downey, M. Walker, et al.

This groundbreaking research by Sean S. Downey, Matthew Walker, Jacob Moschler, Filiberto Penados, William Peterman, Juan Pop, Rongjun Qin, Shane A. Scaggs, and Shuang Song explores the impact of Indigenous agricultural practices on forest species diversity in Belize. The findings reveal a fascinating correlation between forest disturbance and biodiversity, highlighting how customary land use can enhance ecosystem diversity.

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Abstract

This study investigates whether customary Indigenous agricultural practices, specifically swidden (slash-and-burn) agriculture, can increase forest species diversity. Researchers examined community lands around two Q'eqchi' Maya villages in Belize using drone-collected multispectral imagery, land use data, and biodiversity surveys. Analysis revealed that the highest level of spectral diversity (a proxy for forest diversity) correlated with an intermediate level of forest disturbance. This suggests that customary Indigenous land use practices, viewed through a complex adaptive systems lens, can enhance ecosystem diversity.

Publisher

Communications Earth & Environment

Published On

Nov 22, 2023

Authors

Sean S. Downey, Matthew Walker, Jacob Moschler, Filiberto Penados, William Peterman, Juan Pop, Rongjun Qin, Shane A. Scaggs, Shuang Song

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