TERRITORY FOR LIFE: FOOD AND HEALTH

Abstract

In the territories, biocultural conservation allows the continuity of knowledge about nature and its best use. Objective: To recognize the importance of biocultural conservation for food and health in megadiverse territories. Methodology: part of bibliographic research and fieldwork (participant observation, semi-structured and open interviews) in communities of the Sierra de Huautla and Tepoztlán, Morelos. In these places the good state of conservation is relevant, it represents for human communities the direct contact with nature, the recreation of the knowledge of biodiversity and the supply to survive. Among the uses of the species are the nutritional and medicinal. The possibility of such use ensures in the first place the family supply of natural products, the generosity to share the species inside and outside the community, when there is abundance, coupled with the festive cycle in which food is shared with own and visitors; in addition, it is possible to allocate the surpluses for local and regional trade. Although in these contexts the supply of nature does not represent the satisfaction of all the economic requirements of families, they do constitute natural products, fundamental for a healthy diet and effective health treatments.