From: "Francisco Chapela"
I invite you to contribute their views and ideas on the causes of deforestation.
In 2008, Edward Ellis of the University Veracruzana CITRO and Luciana Porter-Bolland, Institute of Ecology, conducted an analysis of deforestation in protected areas (The Mountain, Hopelchén, Campeche) and in areas under community conservation in the Maya area north of Quintana Roo. Can get the research report clicking here or visiting http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2832046/0deforestacion/Ellis-community% 20forests% 20and% 20PAs% 20Yucatan.pdf
the case of The Mountain, study finds has been in the past (1988-2000) a clear process of deforestation at a rate of -0.3%, which is accentuated in recent years (2000-2005) up to -0.7%. Although one would think (as Von Thünen) that deforestation progresses with advancing settlement, which goes on the road to be built and stops when it is a protected area, in this case, deforestation is mainly related to the distribution of population, the ejido population size and distance to floodplain forests. They found no correlation with distance to roads or the conservation status of the sites considered. The researchers attribute the deforestation in this area to the expansion of grazing areas for livestock, which in turn is driven by programs to support the government's livestock. Additionally, they detected that the sale of ejido plots that PROCEED has facilitated the establishment of a colony of Mennonites, who seek to generate their income from agricultural production and know very little about the Mayan jungles and cultural forms of use.
the case of Maya area, the process of deforestation is much less clear, as in previous years (1984-2000) was an almost imperceptible deforestation -0.0004% and in recent years (2000-2004) there was a slight recovery (0.002%) of the surface trees. Deforested areas corresponded to small areas of corn fields that were established to serve the needs of Mayan families, but once established and did not spread further. As in he case of The Mountain, deforestation is not related to the distance from the road. Statistical analysis showed that in this case, deforestation is related to the number of ejidatarios, the size of the ejidos and distance to floodplain forests. The recovery of the forest, is related to the declaration of permanent forest by the communities.
Among other things, the authors suggest that (1) Deforestation in the Yucatan Peninsula, is driven by agricultural policy and subsidies to the expansion of livestock, (2) The declaration of protected areas by government and implementation of programs such as the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, have been effective tools to stop deforestation, (3) The Permanent Forest Areas decalaración in the Zona Maya of Quintana Roo, has been effective in halting deforestation; (4) The opportunity to get additional earnings that are available within the territory of the community, has helped people in the Maya area better serve their needs, without pressure on forest areas.
is a remarkable contrast between the mountains in Campeche and La Zona Maya in Quintana Roo, not only in the first case there is a clear and increasing deforestation and the second shows an incipient process of forest recovery, but the Maya area has a considerably higher population density.
The final conclusion of this research is that "The importance of building local institutions, ie formal rules and informal guide the decisions of a group with respect to a common good is fundamental to manage common resources such as forests. Must build social capital, technical, organizational and administrative initiatives that exist. external agencies (governmental and non-government) should pay credence to local staff, creating real mechanisms of governance and effective performance of accounts, which are currently lacking in the Mountain. Although different in many respects to the Mountains, the Maya well I could provide some lessons to the area, particularly with regard to the process of developing effective community forest enterprises. A regional approach to conservation should therefore conceptualize both the political and social dimensions of conservation, addressing issues related to the needs and aspirations of local people, and recognizing the potential roles of different partnerships at different levels. Those are the issues to be considered in light of a framework for developing a more effective and socially just conservation. "
MC Francisco Chapela
Executive Director Rural Studies and Advisory
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