Spatial distribution of land use/cover and forest degradation in Sierra Gorda of Guanajuato biosphere reserve

Abstract

Sierra Gorda of Guanajuato Biosphere Reserve (SGGBR), is the most important natural area from the State of Guanajuato mostly due to its biological richness. Visual interpretation of orthophotos and SPOT 5 image processing were used to determine land use/cover change for 2004 – 2011 period. Forest degradation (FD) was calculated by correlation of tree conservation degree and areal biomass points data  information from National Forest Inventory and Soil; as well land use/cover change determination and soil erosion information during 2004 – 2011 period. Of total vegetation cover, 45% presented moderate to very high values of FD, 16% showed low FD and 13% presented no degradation. Considering that study area holds the highest category in the National System Natural Protected Areas, results suggest there is a rather defficient use and management of natural resources.