Un acercamiento sociocultural a los usos y posibilidades de consumo del mezquite (<i>Prosopis spp</i>.) en dos comunidades rurales del noreste de México

Objective: Analyzing the sociocultural appreciation of mesquite in Jalpa and San Antonio del Jaral, two rural communities in southeastern Coahuila, by identifying the meanings associated with this natural resource. Methodology: The theoretical perspective of social representations and the Natural Semantic Network technique were used to elicit the meanings constructed by the participants. Results: The sociocultural appreciation observed is oriented toward a utilitarian view of mesquite, specifically to produce firewood, fodder, and food. However, a decline in its human consumption was noted, especially among younger generations. Value: The study offers an interpretation of the sociocultural meanings of mesquite from an innovative theoretical and methodological perspective. Limitations: This is an exploratory study, spatially limited to a specific region of México. Conclusions: The use of mesquite for human consumption is a sustainable and culturally significant alternative, and its recovery as a food resource could benefit these communities in the face of current socioeconomic and environmental changes.