Abstract

ALMAZAN-NUNEZ, RC; ALMAZAN-JUAREZ, A  and  RUIZ-GUTIERREZ, F. Community areas for the conservation of biological resources in the Sierra Madre del Sur, Guerrero, Mexico. Universidad y ciencia [online]. 2011, vol.27, n.3, pp.315-329. ISSN 0186-2979.

Based on community land regulations (OTC) of seven "ejidos" located in the Sierra Madre del Sur (SMS) in Guerrero, the present state of the biological resources of each ejido was characterised. Community conservation areas were established using as main criteria: 1) plant and terrestrial vertebrate species that are endemic and in a risk category, 2) plants and their importance represented by the goods and services they offer, and 3) the current use the residents make of their territory. A total of 10 601 ha were identified for conservation (14.2%), from the 74 401 of the seven ejidos all together. The biological richness in the ejidos includes 605 plant, 15 amphibian, 50 reptile, 201 bird and 69 mammal species. Within the proposed conservation areas, 86 species at risk and 55 plant and terrestrial vertebrate species endemic to Mexico were recorded. The cloud mountain forest is the predominant type of vegetation in the conservation areas. Given that the network of protected natural areas in Mexico is not homogeneously distributed, the communitarian conservation areas are on a local scale, a possible alternative to conserve and value biodiversity and environmental services.

Keywords : OTC; conservation areas; biological resources; Sierra Madre del Sur; Guerrero.

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