The Extent, Distribution, and Fragmentation of Vanishing Montane Cloud Forest in the Highlands of Chiapas, Mexico¹

Abstract

Montane cloud forest (MCF) has high levels of species diversity, contributes positively to the catchment water yield, and is a globally threatened habitat type. The shortage of reliable data regarding the area currently occupied by MCF remains an obstacle to operational conservation planning in Mexico. This paper assesses how much MCF remains in the central Highlands of Chiapas (Mexico) and how fragmented it is in relation to other forest cover. We estimated that the area covered by MCF was between 3700–5250 ha. This estimate contrasted with the approximately 40,000 ha reported for the same region by the Mexican National Forestry inventory in 2000. MCF was highly scattered and fragmented within a matrix of other tropical montane forest types. Other forest types may be partially buffering the remaining MCF habitats, however, mitigating their disturbance and enhancing their connectivity. We conclude that mechanisms should be sought to promote the protection of core areas containing MCF fragments in agreement with communal and private landowners and to conserve the ecological functions of surrounding buffer zones. Such a conservation strategy would match the natural configuration of these endangered habitats.

Remote sensing and the future of landscape ecology

“…The focal habitat of greatest conservation concern in the region is species-rich montane cloud forest. This forest type is usually embedded within a surrounding matrix of less diverse disturbed cloud oak forest (Cayuela et al, 2006a). Classifi cation of satellite imagery for the purposes of landscape analysis was found to be particularly diffi cult, as spectral data alone were insufficient to discriminate between key classifi cation categories (Cayuela et al, 2006c).…”

“…Again, images collected over three decades were analysed, including aerial photographs and Landsat imagery (MSS, TM and ETM+). The forest composition and structure in Chiapas is the result of a complex combination of chronic anthropogenic disturbance (Cayuela et al, 2006a) and climatic effects (Golicher et al, 2008). The focal habitat of greatest conservation concern in the region is species-rich montane cloud forest.…”

Potential Distribution of Humid Mountain Forest in Mexico

“…These latter conditions cast doubts on the viability of strategies proposed for the management and conservation of its natural capital, regardless of scale (national, regional, or local) (Bubb, 1991;Ramírez-Marcial et al, 2001;Ramírez-Marcial, 2002). It is estimated that more than 50% of the original surface of HMF has been replaced with grasslands for cattle grazing, farming, or for coffee plantations (Cayuela et al, 2006a). These changes in land use have caused a reduction in the structural diversity of HMF, as well as a decrease in the water quality due to the increase of contaminants in streams (Martínez et al, 2009).…”

The effects of human land use on flow regime and water chemistry of headwater streams in the highlands of Chiapas

“…However, many landscapes in Chiapas are now surrounded by a matrix with extensive pasture land (Sánchez et al, 2000), as well as vegetable growth in monocrops with high pesticides and fertilizer inputs (Morales et al, 2003) which can threat biodiversity and increase loading of nutrient and pollutants to streams. In addition, Chiapas' highlands are characterized by high precipitation and steep terrains (Cayuela et al, 2006a) so removal of forest can also facilitate erosion, landslides and transport of water and sediments to the lowlands, increasing the risk of floods (Caballero et al, 2006). The Huitepec Mountain is located west of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, in the central part of the Highlands of Chiapas.…”