Publications
Avocado Cover Expansion in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Central Mexico
A total of 958 hectares within the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (MBBR) are now covered by avocado plantations, with the southern zone hosting the largest area (570 ha) and the northern zone showing the highest expansion rate (422%) between 2006 and 2018. This study identified avocado orchards through photo interpretation, analyzing topographic attributes such as elevation, soil type, slope, and aspect. Most plantations have replaced traditional agricultural lands, but deforestation accounted for 40 hectares, particularly in the central zone. The expansion threatens the overwintering habitat of monarch butterflies, potentially impacting their migratory phenomenon.
Abies religiosa Seedling Limitations for Passive Restoration Practices at the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico
Passive restoration of the sacred fir (Abies religiosa) forest within Mexico's Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is highly constrained by environmental factors, particularly soil moisture and moss thickness during dry, warm periods. Research found that seedling mortality reached 49.2% by the end of the dry season in June 2016, with the highest monthly mortality (14.3%) occurring in April—a critical period marked by low soil moisture and thin moss layers. While moss did not negatively impact seedling survival, it helped mitigate soil moisture loss during this vulnerable time. Seedling recruitment was also higher at intermediate elevations (3050–3300 m a.s.l.) compared to higher elevations, suggesting that climate change could further exacerbate these challenges. The study evaluated 53 sites along an elevational gradient in 2015 and tracked seedling mortality in 2016, revealing that natural regeneration alone is insufficient for effective restoration without targeted management interventions.
Dendrochronological reconstruction of fire history in coniferous forests in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico
Coniferous forests within the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (MBBR) experience frequent fires, with return intervals averaging two years across all elevations and forest types. Contrary to expectations, these fires do not correlate with drought or El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events, nor do they influence tree establishment patterns, which remain continuous regardless of fire frequency. The study, using dendrochronological techniques on 110 cross-sections from 23 sites spanning 1925–2015, suggests that natural fire regimes in these forests may have been drastically altered by human activities. While frequent low-severity fires could potentially harm tree regeneration and the integrity of the monarch butterfly's overwintering habitat, continuous tree regeneration indicates such impacts have not yet materialized.
Ecological Restoration of Abies religiosa Forests Using Nurse Plants and Assisted Migration in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico
Assisted migration of Abies religiosa (sacred fir) combined with nurse plants significantly improves afforestation success in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico. Research found that seedlings planted under existing nurse plants exhibited survival rates of 72% and 94% at two sites, compared to just 18% and 10% in open areas without shade protection. The study also demonstrated that transferring tree populations 400 meters upward in elevation—an approach known as assisted migration—does not negatively impact seedling growth, potentially aligning them better with future climate conditions. These findings suggest that incorporating nurse shrubs like Baccharis conferta into reforestation strategies can enhance ecological restoration efforts, particularly in high-elevation regions vulnerable to climate change.
Recent Forest Cover Loss in the Core Zones of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico
A dramatic 98% reduction in large-scale illegal logging has occurred in the core zones of Mexico's Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (MBBR) between 2012 and 2018, according to a new study. Researchers analyzed aerial ortho-photographs and satellite images, validated with fieldwork, to quantify forest cover loss—totaling 163.44 hectares—with climate-related factors (rain and wind) accounting for the majority (125.44 ha), while illegal logging (both large-scale and small-scale) contributed significantly less (38.0 ha and 12.14 ha, respectively). The findings suggest that despite ongoing threats, forest loss in the monarch's winter habitat is not the primary driver of their population decline since 2010, which has been far more severe than expected.
Climatic Signal in Earlywood and Latewood in Conifer Forests in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico
Tree ring analysis reveals that the growth of conifer species Abies religiosa and Pinus pseudostrobus in Mexico's Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is highly sensitive to seasonal climate variations. Precipitation during late autumn (October-December) and spring (January-May) positively influences their growth, while higher mean maximum temperatures negatively impact it. Notably, A. religiosa shows greater sensitivity to temperature changes compared to P. pseudostrobus, with its earlywood and latewood growth positively correlated with monthly minimum temperatures. The study suggests that future warmer and drier climates could severely reduce the growth of A. religiosa, potentially threatening the overwintering habitat of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus L.). This research underscores the vulnerability of these conifer forests to climate change, highlighting their ecological importance.
Flora of the core zones of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico: composition, geographical affinities and beta diversity
The core zones of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (MBBR) in Mexico harbor a rich and diverse flora, with 694 plant species identified across three core areas: Cerro Altamirano, Cerro Pelón, and Chincua-Campanario-Chivati. Notably, about 38% of these species are endemic to Mexico, underscoring the region's unique biodiversity. The study, conducted between 2000 and 2006, found that forests dominated by Quercus and Abies exhibited the highest species diversity, while herbaceous plants were the predominant growth form (ca. 75%). High beta diversity values (Jaccard index 0.03 to 0.11) indicated significant floristic variation among the core zones, with over half of the documented species (66.3%) found exclusively in one zone. These findings highlight the complementary nature of the core zones for plant conservation and emphasize their importance as critical habitats for migrating Monarch butterfly populations.
Land‐Use Change and Hillslope Instability in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Central Mexico
A significant landsliding episode in February 2010 within the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (MBBR) in Mexico revealed that deforestation played a critical role in hillslope instability, leading to debris flows that caused 16 deaths and substantial damage. The study analyzed land-use changes over four decades (1971–2010), finding that while deforestation rates remained relatively low compared to other regions of Mexico, the 2010 landslides destroyed or degraded approximately 54.57 hectares of forest. This suggests that payments for environmental services may mitigate human-induced deforestation but highlights the need for disaster risk management in fragile ecosystems. The research combined digital photo interpretation and field observations to assess land-cover changes and their relationship with landsliding.
Deforestation and forest degradation in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico, 2003–2009
Between 2003 and 2009, the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico experienced significant forest degradation and deforestation, with 2152 hectares affected, primarily due to illegal logging by organized gangs. These changes were concentrated in four specific areas outside the Payment for Environmental Services (PES) program and zones of land conflicts. Notably, degradation decreased where logging declined, particularly on properties included in the PES program or where exploitation permits had expired. The study used digital aerial photographs and satellite images to analyze biennial changes, revealing a trend of decreasing disturbances by 2011, attributed to the PES program, promotion of productive activities, and social work in the area.
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