The black lines indicate the main axes of the Sierra Madre Occidental (A) and the Neovolcanic belt (B).
*source: Copyright 2005 by National Academy of Science PNAS
Loro Paco Mt., Michoacan, Mexico
Photograph by WWF/ Estaban Cruzzley
Photograph by WWF/ Estaban Cruzzley
Bahia Chamala Jalisco dry forests, western coastal Mexico- WWF
Historical state of the ecosystem
The Jalisco Dry Forest is located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico and is characterized by its low rising mountains. This is area is considered to be one of the richest forests in terms of floral and fauna because it has a high diversity of species. Historically this region was a significant location for birds migrating from North America to South America. The region still serves as in important stop but there are threats that endangering this process.
In its natural state, it is a dense community dominated by low to medium-sized trees that lose their leaves during the dry season. The climate is warm year-round and receives several hundred centimeters of annual rain per. There is also a dry seasons which last about six months. These seasonal droughts have great impact on all living things in the forest. Deciduous trees are widespread across the region and during the drought a leafless period occurs, which varies with species type. This forest is widespread on the Pacific slopes of Mexico covering great extensions from Baja to the southern states of Mexico and continuing on to Central America.
- A rich, sub-humid forest covers small hills and volcanic formations (Colima volcano)
- Rain season four to five months yearly (rainy season June-September, October)
- Dry season that lasts five to eight months
- Deciduous
Current human impacts on the ecosystem
Types of Threats:
Logging
DeforestationàAgricultural fields
Urbanization (resort development)
Poaching
Overall Status: Critical/ Endangered/Bad
The Jalisco dry forest and all of Mexico’s dry forests have been exploited, especially within the past 50 years. In 1972 coastal roads were opened giving way to land developments and land conversion for urbanization and agricultural uses. Large areas formerly covered by vegetation have been logged and converted to agricultural plantations.
Urbanization, increasing tourism, and exploitation of wildlife are other threats to the region because this leading to road construction, perennial plantations, and ranching causing habitat destruction. Hunters kill many ocelots (jaguars) each year to trade their coats illegally. The highway and infrastructure projects could also have drastic consequences for the ecosystem; they have already affected wildlife populations through fragmentation and isolation. Contamination is another issue that threatens the ecosystem. Trash generated in the region’s towns and hotels is burned in open trash pits near. These sites are vulnerable for disease outbreaks.
Future prospects for this ecosystem
Some privately funded projects for tourism development and infrastructure have, on repeated occasions tried to construct landing strips, roads, and most recently a golf course within the Jalisco dry forest. The intention is to generate anchors of tourist attractions in order to encourage other businessmen to invest and further develop the tourist industry in the region. Researchers at Mexico's National Autonomous University (UNAM) believe that the jaguars, sea turtles, and other species located within the Jalisco tropical dry forest may face severe water shortage if developers move forward with urbanization projects. I believe the tourist attraction will overpower because the region has a spectacular coastline with beautiful beaches and is an economic incentive for the government. However there are two protected areas in this dry forest ecoregion which have managed to protect the ecosystem against recent land development and have made promising strides to maintaining the Jalisco dry forests.
Improvements
There are two protected areas within this dry forest, the Biosphere Reserve of Chamela-Cuitzmala established in 1993 and the Playa de Cuixmala, established as a reserved zone and wildlife refuge in 1986. Preservation efforts need to address the forests’ multiple benefits which include the remarkable biodiversity. In addition to protected areas, other protection schemes such as payments to land owners for avoiding deforestation are needed and sustainable land management must be supported with economic and fiscal incentives. The Mexican government needs to promote environmental educational programs for groups of students from the region and community members to discuss the significance of this ecosystem. It is important to increase public awareness of the diversity and create programs designed to prevent further ecological damage and restore degraded areas, if possible. The two major reserves within this ecosystem are not sufficient to protect the species rich habitat from logging and agriculture development pressures. Laws must be enforced to control illicit traffic of wildlife. Game and hunting laws must also be revised and applied in all areas where wildlife species still inhabit.
Data
Mexico: Trends in Natural Forest Cover (Deforestation), 1990-2010
FOREST COVER (excluding planted forests) (1000 ha) | |||
1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 |
70291.00 | 65693.00 | 63184.00 | 61599.00 |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (1000 ha) Negative number represents deforestation | |||
1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 | |
-460 | -460.00 | -409.00 | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (percent) Negative number represents deforestation | |||
1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 | |
-0.7 | -0.65 | -0.62 | |
Source: Copyright Rhett Butler 1994-2006/ mongabay.com
References
Berg, Linda R; Hager, Mary Catherine. Visualizing Environmental Science. United States. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2009.
“Ecological Regions of North America Toward a Common Perspective.” CEC.org
Franco, Carlos Rodríguez; Hernandez-Alvarez, Efren; Pelz, Dieter R. “Inventorying and Monitoring of Tropical Dry Forests Tree Diversity in Jalisco, Mexico Using a Geographical Information System.” 2006
Mongobay. Butler, Rhett. “Mexico Forest Information and Data.” Web. 17 Nov. 2011
“Puerto Vallarta Dry Forest-Jalisco Dry Forest.” vivanatura.org. Web. 17 Nov. 2011
Rzedowski, J. (1978) “Vegetacion de Mexico” (Limusa, Mexico)
“WWF-Mexican Dry Forests.” worldwildlife.org. Web. 16 Nov. 2011.
