Abstract

SANTIBANEZ-ANDRADE, Gabriela; VALDEZ-LAZALDE, José René  and  GUERRA-MARTINEZ, Francisco. Multitemporal analysis of the degradation of the oak and oyamel forests in the Basin of Mexico (1993-2014). Madera bosques [online]. 2023, vol.29, n.1, e2912323.  Epub Nov 24, 2023. ISSN 2448-7597.  https://doi.org/10.21829/myb.2023.2912323.

Knowledge of the dynamics of cover change, land use (CCUS) and forest degradation is crucial in developing countries for the prevention of deforestation, as well as the planning of forest restoration and rehabilitation activities. Currently, there are no studies on the dynamics of CCUS in the temperate forests of the Mexico Basin; these processes have not been mapped and quantified at a regional scale. In this study, the rates, and trajectories of change in existing coverage were determined and specific change processes such as permanence, degradation, deforestation, and recovery were analyzed. In addition, a spatial distribution map of the fir and oak forests with different degrees of degradation (primary forest, degraded primary forest, secondary forest, and degraded forest land) was generated. It was found that during the entire period of analysis (21 years, 1993-2014) the primary oyamel forest recovered 610 ha (~ 29 ha per year) but 1062 (~ 50 ha per year) were degraded and 689 ha were lost (~ 32 ha per year). In the case of the primary oak forest, during the total period, 2104 ha (~ 100 ha per year) were recovered, 3370 ha were degraded (~ 160 ha per year) and 2773 ha were lost (~ 132 ha per year). The information generated in this study will serve as the basis for the identification of potential areas for restoration and the design of management strategies to generate conservation opportunities.

Keywords : land use cover change (LUCC); deforestation; permanence; recovery; restoration; forest transition.