Deforestation and fragmentation of seasonal tropical forests in the southern Yucatán, Mexico (1990–2006)

Between 1990 and 2006, deforestation rates in the southern Yucatán, Mexico, declined from 0.15% to 0.06% annually, yet significant forest fragmentation persisted both inside and outside the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve (CBR). This study analyzed classified Landsat satellite imagery from 1990, 2000, and 2006 to assess land change across 141 management units, revealing sub-regional variations in forest loss. While population growth and pasture expansion drove deforestation, agricultural diversification, income strategies, and conservation efforts likely contributed to the observed reduction. The findings highlight the complex interplay between human activities and environmental outcomes in a biodiversity hotspot.

Ramírez-Delgado, J. P., Christman, Z., & Schmook, B. (2014). Deforestation and fragmentation of seasonal tropical forests in the southern Yucatán, Mexico (1990–2006). Geocarto International, 29(8), 822–841. https://doi.org/10.1080/10106049.2013.868039