Design of the Traditional Andean Agroforestry System, respecting biocultural diversity, in the quichua community of el Manzanal, Caranqui parish, Ibarra canton

Abstract

The research addressed the technical-forestry procedure for the design of an agroforestry system in the Quincha Caranqui community. The property under study does not have a technical agroforestry design and presents a decrease in its expected regular productive capacity due to inadequate agricultural practices and inappropriate spatiotemporal arrangements. The objective of the study was to characterize and design an Andean agroforestry system, according to the property. A methodology with a qualitative approach, descriptive scope and non-experimental design was proposed. For this, Somarriba's theory of Agroforestry Diagnosis and Design was applied, adapted to the local context, considering three dimensions: a) biophysical, b) social and c) economic diagnosis to finally design and propose a structure of the Andean agroforestry system that respects the traditional and incorporates current techniques and practices adapted to the Andean region. As a result, the biophysical diagnosis was described as having plots with different sizes, of irregular shape, for each subplot and the existing Andean biocultural diversity was recorded, as demonstrated by the types of crops, species of fruit trees, forest species and the inclusion of animals. In socioeconomic terms, the family showed a willingness to invest and improve the performance and diversify the productivity of the property. Two agroforestry systems were proposed: one agroforestry, with the practice of mixed live fences at a distance between plants of 1.5 meters with the forest species of Alnus acuminata, Buddleja incana and Erythrina edulis and another silvopastoral, where the tree practice was applied. in pastures with a distance of 8 meters between rows and a space of 10 meters between plants, with the species Erythrina edulis. It is concluded that these practices will benefit both the family and the fertility of the soil, thanks to the characteristics and benefits of forest species.