Communal Land Organization and Forest Use in the Chignahuapan–Zacatlán Region of Puebla, Mexico

Objective: Evaluate the organizational dynamics governing forest resource management and exploitation in eleven communal lands of the Chignahuapan-Zacatlán region, identifying the role of local governance and collective action in ensuring territorial sustainability. Methodology: The study followed a descriptive and qualitative design across eleven communal lands in the Chignahuapan-Zacatlán region, employing a multi-method approach for data triangulation. Fieldwork began with in situ observation at a 1:1 scale to capture the real dimensions of communal land organization and forest exploitation. The data collection phase utilized non-probability sampling, involving two General Assemblies with 66 representatives, 12 work meetings with agrarian committees, and three community workshops. Furthermore, semi-structured interviews were administered to 33 authorities including commissioners, secretaries, and treasurers following Spradley’s three-level taxonomic approach: descriptive, structural, and contrast. Results: Forestry exploitation allows satisfiers such as monetary income and firewood. The organization in the forest communal lands occurs through the board of directors and generating work brigades. The internal regulations of the communal land turned out to be an efficient and necessary tool for the organization of the communal land. Value: provides elements to understand and analyze the organizational structure of forest communal lands, the main problems and challenges are identified. Limitations: it is a descriptive case study that does not record the economic impacts of illegal logging. Conclusions: Forest communal lands face conflicts, therefore, organization is important and allows strengthening collective action among communal landowners.