Deforestation of seasonally dry tropical forest: a national and local analysis in Mexico

Seasonally dry tropical forests in the neotropics reach their northernmost distribution in Mexico. This vegetation type has both a high diversity and endemism, yet information about its conservation situation is scarce. This study analyzes the loss of this forest at the national level, comparing its potential coverage with that of the early 1990s; and at the local, using a time-series of the potential vegetation and coverage in 1973 and 1989 in the state of Morelos (central Mexico). At the national level we found that only 27% of the original cover remained as intact forest by 1990. At the local level, close to 60% of the original vegetation has been lost, and only 19% remains in a forested condition. These remnant forests are restricted to areas with steep slopes. An annual deforestation rate of 1.4% was calculated and remaining areas are heavily fragmented and somewhat disturbed. If the trends detected continue, these remaining forests will be heavily reduced and degraded in the near future. Urgent measures to promote their conservation are required. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.