Abstract

CARDENAS-HERNANDEZ, Oscar Gilberto  and  GERRITSEN, Peter R.W.. Landscape dynamics and land-cover change in the indigenous community of Cuzalapa, Sierra de Manantlan Biosphere Reserve (1972 to 2000). CienciaUAT [online]. 2015, vol.9, n.2, pp.30-40. ISSN 2007-7858.

Landscape transformations such as land-cover and land-use change are processes that modify ecosystems, particularly in the tropical regions at a global scale. In this paper we analyze the patterns of change in the landscape of the indigenous community of Cuzalapa, located within the Sierra de Manantlan Cárdenas-Hernández y Gerritsen (2015). Dinámica paisajística en la Sierra de Manantlán Biosphere Reserve, Jalisco, Mexico, during the period of 1972 to 2000. These patterns are explained through the analysis of the community's rural dynamics from a sociological approach with the help of remote sensing. Our results show that land-cover in Cuzalapa changed during the period analyzed, with a loss of approximately 20 % of forested area, that coincided with the opening of areas for agriculture and livestock; the expansion of extensive livestock activities appeared to be the main factor for the transformation of Cuzalapa's landscape. In this sense, Cuzalapa represents a clear example of landscape and agrarian dynamics in Mexico's rural areas, where forests are transformed into croplands or grasslands, with the corresponding environmental and social impacts.

Keywords : Landscape dynamics; social processes; Manantlan.

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