Biodiversity of riparian vegetation under a management gradient in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico

Riparian vegetation within the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (MBBR) exhibits high biodiversity and conservation value, particularly in core and buffer zones. A study analyzing 15 sites across land-use gradients revealed that while species richness and alpha diversity were consistent, beta diversity varied significantly with human disturbance. The research identified 108 native species, with only 2% exotic, underscoring the critical role of riparian systems in ecosystem health. By leveraging high-resolution imagery to categorize protection status and land use, the study highlights the importance of integrating human-land interactions into conservation strategies for UNESCO sites like the MBBR.

Vallejo, M., López-Sánchez, J. G., Hernández-Ordoñez, O., Torres-García, I., & Ramírez, M. I. (2022). Biodiversity of riparian vegetation under a management gradient in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico. Botanical Sciences, 100(4), 837–856. https://doi.org/10.17129/botsci.3015