217 

 reported that the average number of crops per garden was 2.0 (n = 53 gardens, SE = 0. 16, range = 

 1-5 crops per garden). One possible explanation for this difference is that gardens at X-Hazil Sur were 

 culturally different from other Maya and traditionally planted a more diversified garden. A better 

 explanation, however, is that the use of pet hot and ka'anche plots now is declining (G6mez-Pompa et 

 al., 1987) and that certain types of crops that formerly were planted only in those plots now also are 

 being planted in gardens. 



Crop phenology . Based on 1990 data, crops at X-Hazil Sur were present in gardens only about 

 five months during the year, July-November. Gardens contained primarily seedlings during the first 

 part of the growing season. Com, for example, was at the seedling stage during July-August (Figure 

 6-6), while kidney beans were at the seedling stage well during July-October (Figure 6-7). Most crops 

 matured rapidly, however, and by the end of December, all had been harvested. 



Densitv and mortality of crops . Although the density of CTops varied greatly between gardens at 

 X-Hazil Sur, a substantial amount of crops were potentially available to wildlife. The average density 

 of crops varied greatly between gardens (45.8-179.0 stalks/m^; Table 6-1). Gardens primarily were 

 composed of com (86% of stalks), beans (5%), and squash (3%). Seedling mortality was relatively 

 high for squash (82% of seedlings) and kidney beans (62%), however, and compared with com (21% 

 mortality) few mature plants survived to be harvested. All three of these crops were eaten by wildlife 

 (see Chapter 5). 



Wildlife Use of Gardens and Adjacent Forest 



Crop predation . In this study, crop predation was used as one measure to quantify the degree and 

 seasonality of wildlife use of gardens and aops. Given that hunters also hunt in their gardens to obtain 

 game and to protect crops, crop predation might also explain some of the variation in game harvest 

 pattems. 



Fourteen taxa of wild animals were identified as crop predators for gardens at X-Hazil Sur. Birds 

 (e.g., Psittacidae, Corvidae, Icteridae, and Columbidae) were the main crop predators in 1989 (50% of 



