Detecting conservation threats and opportunities in the lower Usumacinta basin based on remote sensing techniques

Abstract

Since 1930, the Usumacinta low basin has a process of environmental degradation, however, in this region there are still areas to be conserved. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to know the threats and opportunities of the region. Therefore, this research proposes to analyze the spatial and temporal variation of environmental degradation, identify areas with less negative impact and assess those with conservation potential. The used methodology is based on information from the Global Forest Watch, specifically, 2000 2012 forest cover data, relevant cartography and in situ observations. With this information, forest cover loss and wetland and grazing cover to plantations were evaluated for five counties of the Usumacinta low basin. According to this information, four study windows were selected as potential areas for conservation. In these windows, a study about loss and gain of forest cover was conducted. It was observed that forest cover change has increased, specially, in Balancán and Tenosique counties (from 251 to 1190 ha and from 263 to 525 ha, respectively). Nevertheless, in Centla and Emiliano Zapata counties it has decreased (0.6 ha). About the study windows, it was observed that El Cometa window has the lowest transformation, while, Balancan window, has the most important forest cover loss increment (6925 ha). However, Balancan window could work as a biological corridor between Mexican and Guatemalan natural areas.