Transition matrices, a tool to assess the sustainability of agroforestry systems

Abstract

This work was developed in the Indigenous Reserve of Talamanca, Costa Rica. 64 plots of cocoa (C) and banana (B) were measured to determine the sustainability of the use of wood by indigenous farmers, measuring the increase in wood of laurel (Cordia alliodora) and cedro amargo (Cedrela odorata L.) natural regeneration in these agroforestry systems through transition matrix as a tool that allows to calculate the rates of passage or permanence in different diametric classes of individuals growing. An inventory of laurel and cedro amargo was carried aout and trees with d>4 cm were measured. The commercial volume (Vc) (d>45) was projected with Usher-type transition matrix. It was found that the use of wood in the evaluated AFS is sustainable, since there are increases in wood and density of individuals in the cacao plantations, this indicates the good management carried out by indigenous producers in agroforestry systems. The use of transition matrix is recommended as a tool to evaluate the sustainability of these productive systems.