Deforestation and trends of change in protected areas of the Usumacinta River basin (2000-2018), Mexico and Guatemala
Por:
Gallardo-Cruz, Jose Alberto, Peralta-Carreta, Candelario, Solorzano, Jonathan Vidal, Fernandez-Montes de Oca, Ana Isabel, Nava, Luzma Fabiola, Kauffer, Edith, Carabias, Julia
Publicada:
1 dic 2021
Categoría:
Global and planetary change
Resumen:
Deforestation is one of the processes that most impact the functioning
of terrestrial ecosystems. In Mexico and Guatemala, deforestation
continues to increase at alarming rates, but there are still regions
where extended areas of conserved vegetation persist, such as the
Usumacinta River basin. Throughout history, various protected areas (PA)
have been designated in this basin; however, anthropogenic activities
put its natural heritage at risk. This research aimed to analyze the
current status and process of forest cover loss in the region and
compare it within and outside PA, as well as among different PA
administrations. In 2000, 75% of the basin's area was covered by some
type of tree-dominated plant community. Over the following 18 years,
this area was reduced by 27%. Most of this forest loss occurred in
Guatemalan territory. Although the net forest loss was higher in
unprotected areas than in protected areas in Guatemala, the opposite
pattern was observed in terms of the annual rate of forest loss. In the
case of Mexico, forest loss was higher in unprotected areas in terms of
both net forest loss and annual rates. Additionally, in both countries,
PA under the administration of municipal authorities showed the lowest
forest loss rates. This study showed that deforestation is an ongoing
process in the Usumacinta basin with a heterogeneous spatial
distribution, where PA have had different capabilities in helping
conserve its forest cover. This information will be essential for
binational conservation strategies aimed at preserving forest
connectivity in the region.
Filiaciones:
Univ Iberoamer, Ctr Transdisciplinar Univ Sustentabilidad CENTRUS, Mexico City 01219, DF, Mexico
Ctr Cambio Global & Sustentabilidad AC, Villahermosa 86080, Tabasco, Mexico
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Posgrad Geog, Ctr Invest Geog Ambiental CIGA, Morelia 58190, Michoacan, Mexico
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Biol, Lab Sistemas Informac Geog, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico
CONACyT Ctr Cambio Global Sustentabilidad AC, Villahermosa 86080, Tabasco, Mexico
Int Inst Appl Syst Anal IIASA, Schlosspl 1, A-A2361 Laxenburg, Austria
Ctr Invest & Estudios Superiores Antropol Social, Unidad Reg Sureste, San Cristobal de las Casa 29247, Chiapas, Mexico
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Fac Ciencias, Mexico City 04510, DF, Mexico
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