Integrating Agroecological Food Production, Ecological Restoration, Peasants’ Wellbeing, and Agri-Food Biocultural Heritage in Xochimilco, Mexico City

Fernanda Figueroa (), Martha B. Puente-Uribe, David Arteaga-Ledesma, Ana C. Espinosa-García, Marco A. Tapia-Palacios, Miguel A. Silva-Magaña, Marisa Mazari-Hiriart, Denise Arroyo-Lambaer, Daniel Revollo-Fernández, Carlos Sumano (), Miguel I. Rivas, Alaíde Jiménez-Serna, Marco Covarrubias and Luis Zambrano
Additional contact information
Fernanda Figueroa: Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Martha B. Puente-Uribe: Independent Consultant, Av. Morelos 50, Tlaquiltenango 62980, Mexico
David Arteaga-Ledesma: Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Ana C. Espinosa-García: Laboratorio Nacional de Ciencias de la Sostenibilidad, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Marco A. Tapia-Palacios: Laboratorio Nacional de Ciencias de la Sostenibilidad, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Miguel A. Silva-Magaña: Laboratorio Nacional de Ciencias de la Sostenibilidad, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Marisa Mazari-Hiriart: Laboratorio Nacional de Ciencias de la Sostenibilidad, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Denise Arroyo-Lambaer: Laboratorio de Restauración Ecológica, Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Daniel Revollo-Fernández: Departamento de Economía, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Azcapotzalco, Av. San Pablo 180, Col. Reynosa Tamaulipas, Azcapotzalco, Mexico City 02200, Mexico
Carlos Sumano: Laboratorio de Restauración Ecológica, Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Miguel I. Rivas: Laboratorio de Restauración Ecológica, Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Alaíde Jiménez-Serna: Centro de Investigación y Capacitación en Gastronomía, Universidad del Claustro de Sor Juana, José María Izazaga 92, Centro Histórico de la Ciudad de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City 06080, Mexico
Marco Covarrubias: Centro de Investigación y Capacitación en Gastronomía, Universidad del Claustro de Sor Juana, José María Izazaga 92, Centro Histórico de la Ciudad de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City 06080, Mexico
Luis Zambrano: Laboratorio de Restauración Ecológica, Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 15, 1-19

Abstract: Chinampería , a jeopardized precolonial agricultural practice, persists in the Xochimilco wetland, Mexico City. Agroecological chinampa production is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site, and contributes to the sustainability of both the urban wetland and the city. The ‘ chinampa -refuge’ model (CRM) is a transdisciplinary effort to strengthen traditional agroecological practices and ecological restoration. Through an inter/transdisciplinary research framework, we addressed the model’s role in the sustainability of this socio-ecosystem concerning four significant drivers of the wetland’s transformation. The CRM has improved water quality locally, increased the suitable habitat for native aquatic biodiversity, and supported traditional agroecological practices, thus improving the quality and safety of food products. However, there are clear challenges regarding production and commercialization, some of which may be addressed through the strengthening of the social organization and collective action. However, other challenges are beyond the reach of chinampa producers’ efforts and the CRM, but are decisive in changing the degradation trends. In order to address these challenges, urgent and participatory government actions are needed based on the recognition of the causes of wetland degradation and the role of traditional chinampa production in its sustainability.

Keywords: peri-urban agriculture; small-scale agriculture; urban sustainability; food sovereignty; water quality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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