Current Status and Dynamics Space-Time of Cloud Forest in the State of San Luis Potosí, Mexico
Edgar Gregorio Leija Loredo; Humberto Reyes Hernández, Professor: Dr. Humberto Reyes Hernández
Geographic Focus: San Luis Potosí, Mexico
Date Completed: 21 Apr 2012
Project Description: This research analyzes the distribution and dynamics space-time of cloud forest in the state of San Luis Potosí, México. The forest is characterized by the restricted geographical distribution throughout the country, as well as being se severely threatened by human activities. This ecosystem is located in the Sierra Madre Oriental physiographic region, between 1,000 and 1,600 m of altitude, on a geological substratum of shale and limestone-shale. At present, it has an extension of 3,239 hectares distribute in eight relicts. This forest shows a high level of deforestation and fragmentation because in the past 35 years it has lost over 2,868 hectares of forest. In some of these relict areas, deforestation rates were higher than 3% per year. Even though, some of these relicts are located within areas of high priority for conservation, none is officially protected.
Main Project Theme: Forests
Map Description: This map indicates the results of spatial analysis through the ArcGIS tool. In 1973, the forest occupied 876 hectares, it was reduced to 850.6 ha in 1995, by 2007, this forest had lost more than 740ha
Photograph Description: The photo shows the area of cloud forest and the impact on land use change. The main causes of fragmentation are the conversion to pasture, areas farming and illegal logging
Map
Photograph
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