Transformación de la vegetación por cambio de uso del suelo en la Reserva de la Biosfera Calakmul, Cam peche

• Main Authors: Geranio García Gil, Ignacio March Mikuf, Miguel Ángel Castillo Sanfrago
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México 2001-06-01
• Series: Investigaciones Geográficas
• Online Access: http://www.investigacionesgeograficas.unam.mx/index.php/rig/article/view/59155

The methods and techniques used to develop the vegetation and land-use map of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve are presented. The information was processed using a Geographic Information System (GIS), generating a digital geographic database. In turn, it was used to conduct a quantitative analysis of the extent of change in forest cover due to anthropogenic activities. The current situation in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve was assessed through the use of maps of vegetation types and land use. The data in these maps were derived from 1 500 aerial photographs from 1995 and 1996, at a 1:20 000 scale A digital photogrammetric correction was applied, fieldwork information was validated, and a variety of data layers were developed for the geographic database. The results obtained indicate that of the study area (722 121.6 ha), 96.3% corresponds to forest without any perceivable human disturbance. The areas transformed by productive human activities comprise 3.51 % of the reserve area. The major vegetation changes were found at the reserve´s eastern portion, and are directly related to colonization projects that have taken place during the last 30 years.