Wild orchids sold in five traditional markets in Oaxaca, Mexico
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18387/polibotanica.60.25Keywords:
quantity, diversity, livelihoods, originAbstract
Wild orchids have a great ecological importance in their natural environment, they are water reservoirs, shelter for small animals, they also help to lower the levels of carbon dioxide in the environment where they live. In many regions of Mexico, they are a livelihood for small rural localities, almost always of native peoples with some degree of marginalization. They are sold in traditional markets when they are in bloom, so the presence of each species in the markets is temporary. The goal this study was to evaluate the diversity, origin, and quantity of wild orchids sold in Christmas markets in the Central Valleys of Oaxaca. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with vendors in four markets in the Central Valleys and one in the Southern Sierra of Oaxaca. The data were used to identify the species sold and their origin, as well as the number of specimens reaching the market. Thirteen species were identified, with the greatest diversity recorded in the Zaachila and Central de Abastos markets. In 2023, the number of specimens arriving at each market was estimated at 1,705 in the Central de Abastos, 740 in Zaachila, 296 in Ocotlán, 360 in Tlacolula, and 505 in Miahuatlán. A slight decrease was noted in these markets in 2024. It is worth noting that sales are dominated by women from 16 different localities belonging to four regions of the state.
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