Linking ethnopedology and geopedology: A synergistic approach to soil mapping. Case study in an indigenous community of Central Mexico

Abstract

This chapter conveys findings from an integrated participatory soil-landscape survey in a mountain indigenous community of central Mexico using ethnopedologic and geopedologic approaches. It describes the soil-landscape knowledge that local people use for selecting suitable agro-ecological settings, applying land management practices, and implementing soil conservation measures. Relief and soil maps generated by both procedures, the indigenous and the technical, are compared, and the level of spatial correlation of the map units is assessed. Commonalities, differences, and synergies of both soil knowledge systems are highlighted. Participatory soil survey promotes the collaboration of local farmers and experts and the integration of knowledge systems the leads to better understanding of soil distribution patterns on the landscape and their use potentials.