Abstract

RICKER, Martin et al. Diversity and management of Mexican forests: Microeconomic aspects. Inv. Econ [online]. 1999, vol.59, n.227, pp.77-109. ISSN 0185-1667.

There are about 22 000 species of seed plants in Mexico, many of them of interest for forest management. We present a method of cost-benefit analysis for tree species management, which includes a tree growth and a survivorship function. For the tropical evergreen forest at Los Tuxtlas (Veracruz), it is shown that an extensive forest management system inside the forest with Mamey fruit trees (Pouteria sapota) has a positive net present value. The system can even be competitive with cattle pasture. This management allows to conserve the structure and biodiversity of the forest. In comparison, Spanish Cedar timber trees (Cedrela odorata) should be managed more intensively in the open. An appendix provides examples of commercial plants, including non-timber forest products, for the largest Mexican vegetation types: Xerophilous scrub (38.3% of the Mexican territory), pine-oak forest (17.5%), tropical deciduous forest (14.0%), and tropical evergreen forest (9.4%).

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