Research by INIFAP on forest management and environmental services in Mexican temperate forests: Evolution, achievements and perspectives

Abstract

Timber production has been historically the most relevant economic activity in the Mexican forestry sector, although governmental research on this matter started well after the creation of the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales (National Institute of Forest Research). Recently, the generation of environmental services has emerged as a new field in forestry research. The aim of this study was to analyze the contribution of the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP) (National Institute of Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock Research) (INIFAP) to the scientific investigation on forest management and environmental services of temperate forests during the last 35 years. An exhaustive review of forest scientific publications in peer-reviewed national and international journals, in which INIFAP researchers had a relevant participation was conducted. The results were analyzed in three defined periods of institutional development and according with the structure of INIFAP's research programs, where Forest Management includes Biometrics, Silviculture and Fire regimes; while Environmental Services include Carbon Capture, Water and paleoclimatic studies. An increase in publications on the two topics is observed during the most recent period, attributable to a greater availability of financing for forest research and the current importance of forests in mitigating climate change. Scientific production was concentrated in national journals, with the institutional journal standing out. Biometrics and Forestry are areas of strength of the institute and confirm its pioneering role in this type of studies in Mexico. Paleoclimatic studies show accelerated growth in the third period; in carbon capture and hydric recharge, growth is moderate.