LAC HOST-TREES AND THE BALANCE OF AGROECOSYSTEMS IN SOUTH YUNNAN, CHINA

The importance of spontaneous lac host-trees for preserving the fragil e agroecosystem of the main lac producing areas of China, located in t he tropical part of Yunnan province, is analyzed. In upland fields, th e fire-resistant vegetation consists mainly of these trees. Farmers de liberately preserve young sprouts during the cultivation cycle. This b enefits both soil fertility and lac production. Host-trees, mainly Dal bergia and Ficus, form a range of multipurpose trees which although li mited to some ten species allows maximum use of the heterogeneities of the village territory. Finally, lac host-trees are associated with so me environmental values important to farmers. This circumstance contri butes to the sustainability of lac host-tree agroforestry in spite of current problems in the lac market.