FACTORES ECOLoGICOS Y SOCIALES QUE EXPLICAN LA RESILIENCIA AL CAMBIO CLIMATICO DE LOS SISTEMAS AGRICOLAS EN EL MUNICIPIO LA PALMA, PINAR DEL RIO, CUBA/Socio-ecologic aspects that explain the resilience to climate change in agricultural systems of La Palma municipality, Pinar del Rio, Cuba

• Published in: Agroecología 2013-01, Vol.8 (1), p.43-43
• Main Authors: Serrano, Maikel Marquez, Funes-Monzote, Fernando R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1989-4686; 1989-4686

Pinar del Rio's agricultural systems exhibit a high diversity and heterogeneity, due to its ecological characteristics and its own socio-cultural identity. Frequent hurricanes, prolonged drought, as well as socio-political aspects, make some of the food production systems highly vulnerable. There is an urgent need to identify adaptation strategies and responses to such events and setbacks that provoke unsustainability. This study aimed at the identification of innovative agroecological practices that confer resilience to agricultural systems in facing both hurricanes and droughts. Among the practices used to enhance resiliency in farms can be mentioned: reforestation, increase of functional biodiversity, artisanal food conservation, local germplasm banks, soil conservation and improvement, access to local markets and minimal dependence of synthetic external products. Energetic independence was perceived as a priority strategy for both, hurricanes and droughts. Community cooperation and integration appeared as a conductive thread of execution and dissemination of innovative agroecological practices, as well as, intra-community social assistance.