Rural Strategies, Appropriation, and Commercialization of Nature in a Specific Socioeconomic Context

Abstract

Rural communities have developed complex strategies to utilize the surrounding ecosystems. However, commercialization has allowed people to access various resources and gain additional economic opportunities. Resource management and commercialization occur within a specific socioeconomic context, which can lead to differences in the decisions made by farmers. We examined socioeconomic capacities, market access, and resource management to gain a deeper understanding of the factors influencing farmers’ production strategies. The study was conducted in Sierra Negra, Puebla (Mexico), where we used both qualitative and quantitative methods to gather information and assess variables related to market integration, socioeconomic context, and resource management. Our findings reveal significant socioeconomic stratification, along with dynamics of marginalization related to market integration, which in turn influence management strategies. This relationship helped us identify three strategies adopted by smallholders: subsistence, diversification, and specialization.