Non-timber goods for the sustainability of women and ecosystems in the Trifinio Fraternidad biosphere

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish Non-Timber Natural Assets (BNNM) as a viable alternative that contributes to the sustainable development of women, the conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity in the Trifinio Fraternidad Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (RBTF). The research approach is non-experimental, exploratory and descriptive, with a mixed approach and a «participatory research» typical of the social sciences, which implies the application of dialogical procedures among the participants, and which has been adopted by the sciences. botanical, with the use of inductive and deductive methods. Among the most relevant results are: the BNNM baseline records a total of 357 identified plant species, grouped into 105 botanical families in uses: food, medicinal, culture, artisanal and ornamental. 67.2% of the women have a medium to very high knowledge about BNNM since they know and use more than 41 plants; Likewise, 54.35% are carrying out more conservation actions compared to 18.48% carried out by men. There is great inequality in access to and control of land with 73.75% ownership in favor of men. It provides an antecedent of conceptual framework for the theorization and analysis of processes related to non-timber natural assets, sustainability of women and conservation of ecosystems; It also provides information on the use, access, and differentiated knowledge that women and men have about BNNM and that generates an unpublished BNNM baseline of the RBTF municipalities of La Palma, San Ignacio and Citalá.