In the Neotropical area of the Río Apatlaco sub-basin (central Mexico), high deforestation can be attributed to urban development, as this area concentrates the highest human population density in Morelos state. The objective of this study was to analyze changes in land use and vegetation in this sub-basin from 2002 to 2012 using geographic information systems. The results show that, over the period of analysis, the main changes occurred in the grassland and coniferous forest. However, in the tropical dry forest (TDF) the annual rate of deforestation (0.13%) was much lower than previously estimated (1.4%), but no recovery took place. It is possible that deforestation of the TDF was halted because the remaining areas with forest remnants were unsuitable for agricultural activities and/or abandonment of such activities has taken place. It is therefore a priority to protect these areas of secondary vegetation that serve as a buffer for conserved areas, allowing their recovery and contributing to their interconnectivity. Key words:Land cover change, Rio Apatlaco, Geographic Information Systems. RESUMENEn la zona Neotropical de la sub-cuenca del río Apatlaco (centro de México), la alta deforestación puede ser atribuida al desarrollo urbano, ya que esta zona concentra la mayor densidad de población del Estado de Morelos. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar los cambios en el uso del suelo y de la vegetación en esta subcuenca entre 2002 y 2012, utilizando Sistemas de Información Geográfi ca. Los resultados muestran que, durante el período de análisis, los principales cambios ocurrieron en los pastizales y bosques de coníferas. Sin embargo, el bosque tropical caducifolio (BTC) sufrió una tasa anual de deforestación (0,13%) mucho más baja que la estimada previamente (1,4%), pero no ocurrió una recuperación. Es posible que la deforestación del BTC se haya detenido, debido a que las áreas con remanentes de bosque, son inadecuados para la agricultura u otras actividades. Es una prioridad proteger las áreas de vegetación secundaria, pues sirven como un amortiguador para las áreas fragmentadas, lo que permitiría su recuperación y contribuir a su interconectividad.Palabras clave: Cambio de cobertura del suelo, río Apatlaco, Sistemas de Información Geográfi ca.
RESUMENEn la zona Neotropical de la sub-cuenca del río Apatlaco (centro de México), la alta deforestación puede ser atribuida al desarrollo urbano, ya que esta zona concentra la mayor densidad de población del Estado de Morelos. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar los cambios en el uso del suelo y de la vegetación en esta subcuenca entre 2002 y 2012, utilizando Sistemas de Información Geográfi ca. Los resultados muestran que, durante el período de análisis, los principales cambios ocurrieron en los pastizales y bosques de coníferas. Sin embargo, el bosque tropical caducifolio (BTC) sufrió una tasa anual de deforestación (0,13%) mucho más baja que la estimada previamente (1,4%), pero no ocurrió una recuperación. Es posible que la deforestación del BTC se haya detenido, debido a que las áreas con remanentes de bosque, son inadecuados para la agricultura u otras actividades. Es una prioridad proteger las áreas de vegetación secundaria, pues sirven como un amortiguador para las áreas fragmentadas, lo que permitiría su recuperación y contribuir a su interconectividad.Palabras clave: Cambio de cobertura del suelo, río Apatlaco, Sistemas de Información Geográfi ca. ABSTRACTIn the Neotropical area of the Río Apatlaco sub-basin (central Mexico), high deforestation can be attributed to urban development, as this area concentrates the highest human population density in Morelos state. The objective of this study was to analyze changes in land use and vegetation in this sub-basin from 2002 to 2012 using geographic information systems. The results show that, over the period of analysis, the main changes occurred in the grassland and coniferous forest. However, in the tropical dry forest (TDF) the annual rate of deforestation (0.13%) was much lower than previously estimated (1.4%), but no recovery took place. It is possible that deforestation of the TDF was halted because the remaining areas with forest remnants were unsuitable for agricultural activities and/or abandonment of such activities has taken place. It is therefore a priority to protect these areas of secondary vegetation that serve as a buffer for conserved areas, allowing their recovery and contributing to their interconnectivity.
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