206
Results
The results of the model performance applied to the indigenous communities of
Baja California, Mexico are shown in Fig. 12.3 and Table 12.3 and explained in the
following text.
Ecological Sub-Index
In general, the studied indigenous communities are well adapted to their ecological
environment and have extensive knowledge about the natural resources in their surroundings. The former assumption coincides with answers given by the representatives of the three studied groups. The Cucapá, Kumiai, and Pa Ipai have high
ecological sub-index values since they use natural resources (Santos 2013) following traditional management practices and seeking to care for them by means of
conservation strategies. Although interviewees perceive changes occurred in environmental resources, they mentioned that communities have implemented adaptive
strategies. Most of the interviewed Cucapá in El Mayor Cucapá perceive a remarkable decrease of terrestrial animal populations that has probably resulted from the
decrease in water flow of the Hardy River and wastewater discharges in the Laguna
Salada Basin. Some also mentioned a diminished abundance of fish and migratory
birds like ducks, herons, pelicans, and seagulls. As a result of the degradation of
their habitat, the Cucapá have modified their traditional economic activities or
adopted new ways of life to reduce their dependence on natural resources, such as
seeking employment outside the community instead of continuing fishing as they
did traditionally (Santos 2013). Some of the interviewed Kumiai have also observed
a decrease in plant populations adjacent to their community, which worries them
due to the intensity of the process. While some interviewed Pa Ipai report that the
natural resources of their community have changed, some considered their livelihood has not been severely impacted. However, the plundering and increased aridity
of Yuman land has led to abandonment of subsistence activities directly linked to
primary production. That is the case of harvesting from the wild of the palmilla or
Mojave yucca (Yucca schidigera) by the Pa Ipai of Santa Catarina and the Kiliwa of
Arroyo de León.
Table 12.2 Example of
assigned weight of answers
Content of answer
Value of answer
No access to medicine
0
Prefer allopathic medicine
0.5
Prefer traditional medicine
0.5
Use both
1
D. Galván-Martínez et al.
Results
The results of the model performance applied to the indigenous communities of
Baja California, Mexico are shown in Fig. 12.3 and Table 12.3 and explained in the
following text.
Ecological Sub-Index
In general, the studied indigenous communities are well adapted to their ecological
environment and have extensive knowledge about the natural resources in their surroundings. The former assumption coincides with answers given by the representatives of the three studied groups. The Cucapá, Kumiai, and Pa Ipai have high
ecological sub-index values since they use natural resources (Santos 2013) following traditional management practices and seeking to care for them by means of
conservation strategies. Although interviewees perceive changes occurred in environmental resources, they mentioned that communities have implemented adaptive
strategies. Most of the interviewed Cucapá in El Mayor Cucapá perceive a remarkable decrease of terrestrial animal populations that has probably resulted from the
decrease in water flow of the Hardy River and wastewater discharges in the Laguna
Salada Basin. Some also mentioned a diminished abundance of fish and migratory
birds like ducks, herons, pelicans, and seagulls. As a result of the degradation of
their habitat, the Cucapá have modified their traditional economic activities or
adopted new ways of life to reduce their dependence on natural resources, such as
seeking employment outside the community instead of continuing fishing as they
did traditionally (Santos 2013). Some of the interviewed Kumiai have also observed
a decrease in plant populations adjacent to their community, which worries them
due to the intensity of the process. While some interviewed Pa Ipai report that the
natural resources of their community have changed, some considered their livelihood has not been severely impacted. However, the plundering and increased aridity
of Yuman land has led to abandonment of subsistence activities directly linked to
primary production. That is the case of harvesting from the wild of the palmilla or
Mojave yucca (Yucca schidigera) by the Pa Ipai of Santa Catarina and the Kiliwa of
Arroyo de León.
Table 12.2 Example of
assigned weight of answers
Content of answer
Value of answer
No access to medicine
0
Prefer allopathic medicine
0.5
Prefer traditional medicine
0.5
Use both
1
D. Galván-Martínez et al.