Abstract

CHAMPO-JIMENEZ, Omar; VALDERRAMA-LANDEROS, Luis  and  ESPANA-BOQUERA, María Luisa. Forest cover loss in the Monarch Butterfly biosphere reserve, Michoacán, Mexico (2006-2010). Rev. Chapingo ser. cienc. for. ambient [online]. 2012, vol.18, n.2, pp.143-157. ISSN 2007-4018.  https://doi.org/10.5154/r.rchscfa.2010.09.074.

This paper analyzes the loss of forest cover in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in the period between 2006 and 2010 using high-resolution SPOT satellite imagery (10 m). The images were calibrated, atmospherically corrected and superimposed with control points. A map of forest and non-forest (with and without apparent tree vegetation) was constructed with each image. The maps were validated using very high-resolution images of the same dates. Within the forest area, the natural boundary between oyamel fir forest (Abies religiosa (Kunth) Schltdl. and Cham.) and pine forest was set based on a supervised classification and an altitude criterion. Comparing the maps allowed us to establish the loss of oyamel fir forest in the period studied, which is estimated at 2,227.00 ha, which corresponds to a deforestation rate of 556.75 ha·year^-1. The change map was compared to reports identifying areas affected by pests presented by the National Forestry Commission and the Universidad Autónoma de Chapingo in 2004, and others detailing phytosanitary measures undertaken by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources between 2005 and 2009.

Keywords : Deforestation; WWF; Monarch Fund; SEMAR; SPOT; MBBR.

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