Role of tao (Belotia mexicana) in the traditional Lacandon Maya shifting cultivation ecosystem

For centuries, the Lacandon Maya have farmed the forest while also preserving and regenerating it. The Lacandon manage their fallow by planting certain tree species, and removing volunteer trees that are not optimal for soil fertility. This study focused on tao (Belotia mexicana), one of the Lacandon tree fallow species, and its impact on the soil as it matures in the secondary forest. The effect of tao on soil fertility was evaluated using the following soil fertility parameters: phosphorus, carbon, nitrogen, earthworm density, pH, and soil moisture. Results were compared using a split-plot analysis. Soil C:N ratios decreased with age of tao, indicating an improvement of litter quality over time. Soil extractable phosphorus decreased with age of tao and increased with distance from tao, which suggests that tao is depleting phosphorus. These results provide an introduction for further analysis into how native trees enhance soil fertility in the Lacandon system.