Evidence of Incipient Forest Transition in Southern Mexico
background
This study uses satelite images (Landsat) to analyze land cover change in southern Mexico from 1990 to 2006.
Conclusions & Takeaways
Across municipalities analyzed, deforestation rates fell from 0.85% to 0.67% and regional deforestation fell 0.33% to 0.28% when comparing 1990-2000 and 2000-2006. Despite overall improvements, deforestation remains high in important areas for conservation. The authors suggest that better policies could be put in place for forest recovery if the general declines in forest loss are recognized.
Reference:
. Evidence of Incipient Forest Transition in Southern Mexico. PLoS ONE. 2012;7:e42309. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0042309.
Affiliation:
- Division de la Conservacion de la Biodiversidad, Departamento de Ecologıa y Sistematica Terrestre, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico
- Centre for Conservation Ecology and Environmental Change, School of Conservation Sciences, Bournemouth University, Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom
- Area de Biodiversidad y Conservacion, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Mostoles, Madrid, Espana
- Conservation International, Arlington, Virginia, United States