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The life and times ofBursera glabrifolia (H.B.K.) Engl. in Mexico: A parable for ethnobotany

Vida y tiempos deBursera glabrifolia (H.B.K.) Engl. en México: Un a parabola para la etnobotánica

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Abstract

Bursera glabrifolia, a dominant component of the tropical dry forests in southwestern Mexico, is used to illustrate the importance of a broader contextual framework for ethnobotanical studies. The species is currently used as a carving wood to produce small, painted figurines known as alebrijes. Over the past hundred years, however, B. glabrifolia also has been exploited commercially for resin and essential oil, and over-harvesting has pushed the species to the brink of local extinction several times. The destruction of tropical dry forests threatens the ability of the species to recover from the current wave of exploitation. Eight years of study have highlighted two major aspects of the life and times ofB. glabrifolia. First, the ethnobotany of the species is extremely complex and, in addition to local artisans and collectors, involves pre-Columbian tributes, resource substitution, NAFTA duty exemptions, and the spread of cattle pastures. Second, a concerted effort to manage the species in its natural habitat would bolster the thriving alebrije market and provide a much-needed incentive for conserving tropical dry forests in Mexico

Résumé

Bursera glabrifolia, un componente dominante de los bosques secos tropicales del sureste de México, se utiliza aqui para ilustrar la impotancia de adoptar un marco conceptual amplio en los estudios etnobotánicos. La madera de esta especie se usa actualmente en la zona de Vallés Centrales de Oaxaca para elaborar figuras talladas conocidas comoalebrijes. Sin embargo, durante los últimos cien años, B. glabrifolia ha sido también explotada por su résina y su aceite essecial, y la sobrexplotación la ha colocado cerca de la extinction local. La destructión de los bosques secos tropicales pone en riesgo la capacidad de la especie para recuperarse al ritmo actual de explotación. Ocho años de investigatión interdisciplinaria nos han permitado reconocer dos aspectos importantes de la historia deB. glabrifolia. Primero, que la etnobotdnica de la especie es extremadamente compleja, ya que además del uso actual por artesanos e colectores locales, involucra tributos prehispánicos, sustitución de especies, exención de impuestos en el marco del TLC y la expansion de la ganadería. Y Segundo, que un esfuerzo concertado por manejar esta especie en su hábitat natural, le danía un impulse al mercado de losalebrijes y significaría un incentivo, muy necesario, para la conservatión de los bosques tropicales secos en México

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Economic Botany, The New York Botanical Garden, 10458-5126, Bronx, NY

    Charles M. Peters

  2. Departamento de Ecología Vegetal, Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Apartado Postal 63, 91070, Xalapa, Veracruz, México

    Silvia E. Purata

  3. Department of Anthropology, University of Iowa, 114 Macbride Hall, 52242-1322, Iowa City, 1A

    Michael Chibnik

  4. Institute of Economic Botany, The New York Botanical Garden, 10458-5126, Bronx, NY

    Berry J. Brosi

  5. Facultad de Ciencias, Cuidad Universitaria, UNAM, Circuito Exterior, C.P. 04510, México, D.F.

    Ana M. Lopez

  6. Facultad de Ciencias, Cuidad Universitaria, UNAM, Circuito Exterior, C.P. 04510, México, D.F.

    Myrna Ambrosio

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Peters, C.M., Purata, S.E., Chibnik, M. et al. The life and times ofBursera glabrifolia (H.B.K.) Engl. in Mexico: A parable for ethnobotany. Econ Bot 57, 431–441 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1663/0013-0001(2003)057[0431:NBRLGF]2.0.CO;2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1663/0013-0001(2003)057[0431:NBRLGF]2.0.CO;2

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