Abstract

DEL ANGEL PEREZ, Ana Lid et al. Ecosystem vulnerability as a sociocultural construction: A practical application. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2013, vol.4, n.16, pp.46-63. ISSN 2007-1132.

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a methodological tool to analyze the landscape by combining specific in-field assessment techniques and spatial interpolation techniques, so as to identify specific areas with territorial vulnerability categorized by fragility indexes. The methodology comprises four stages: expert judgment to define the variables that determine fragility in a landscape; georeferencing and dathering information through direct landscape readings at equidistant points; categorization of the fragility indexes, application of spatial analysis techniques for the generation of a continuous (raster or matrix) map of the territoriality of the Landscape Fragility Index (LFI).Fragility indexes were calculated in the transect area from the Cofre de Perote to the coast of the state of Veracruz. Levels of landscape frailty were regionalized based on Weibull distribution percentiles, and current landscape fragility was assessed for different land uses. In conclusion, methodology for generating cartographic LFIs was developed and validated which allows monitoring of a geographic area over time and the detection of potential vulnerability. This tool can be useful for land management and rural development.

Keywords : Ecosystems; landscape; landscape fragility index; spatial analysis; sustainability; territorial management.

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