Ecological Bases for Sustainable Management of Pochote ("Ceiba aesculifolia" subsp. "parvifolia") Through Demographic Analysis

The Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley is one of the areas with the highest biocultural diversity in Mexico. There, the pochote (Ceiba aesculifolia subsp. parvifolia) has been used for more than 7000 years, and its seeds are currently consumed and sold in traditional markets. However, the high demand-supply of this resource in regional markets could affect the permanence of the species populations. This study evaluated the state of populations harvested at different intensity levels, their risk, and potential for sustainable use. In the state of Puebla, pochote seeds are mainly commercialized, while in Oaxaca they are directly consumed by households. During 2 years, we censused five populations of the region from permanent 5000 m² plots. We evaluated growth, survival, and fecundity of individual plants of each population and constructed demographic matrix models for calculating population growth rates (λ) , viability, and elasticity. Population growth rates in Puebla were λ 1, while in Oaxaca λ > 1. Permanence of adult trees is the most important demographic aspect for maintaining populations' growth rates. Viability analyses for 30 years showed that two populations studied are at risk of extinction. In localities where seeds are directly consumed, the populations tolerate harvest rates of nearly 90% of fruits, while in those used for commercialization the populations tolerate lower levels, because of variations in population structure and growth rates. By simulating different harvest rates, we suggest optimal sustainable harvesting. For conserving pochote, monitoring of used populations is crucial. Our current information provide criteria that may be helpful to local authorities and people for making appropriate decisions to obtain benefits from pochote without compromising its populations' stability. El Valle de Tehuacán-Cuicatlan es una de las áreas con mayor diversidad biocultural en México donde el pochote (Ceiba aesculifolia subsp. parvifolia) se ha utilizado durante mis de 7000 años; actualmente en la region se consumen sus semillas y en los mercados tradicionales se venden. La alta demanda de este recurso en los mercados regionales podria afectar la permanencia de las poblaciones del pochote. Este estudio evaluo el estado de las poblaciones cosechadas en diferentes nivelés de intensidad, su riesgo y el uso potencial sostenible. En el estado de Puebla, las semillas se comercializan principalmente, mientras que en Oaxaca son cosechadas para el autoconsumo. Du