Fire trends in tropical Mexico: A case study of Chiapas

Abstract

The vast majority of the world's fires today occur in tropical and subtropical areas. The problem of fire in these countries reflects increased human and climatic pressures, which provoke interactions between fire and the transformed landscapes. Chiapas, a tropical state in the Mexican Republic, maintains a fire dataset, and it has similarities with other tropical areas. This study represents a descriptive approach to the problem in Chiapas, where fire is recognized as a major disturbance that degrades habitats and reduces ecosystem services. To date there has been little information about fire trends and contributing factors, but both frequency and intensity of fires appear to increase in El Niño years and to vary with landownership.