Abstract

CASTILLO, Alicia et al. The dry tropical forest at risk: Conflicts between agricultural and cattle use, turism development, and provision of ecosystemic services in the Coast of Jalisco, Mexico. INCI [online]. 2009, vol.34, n.12, pp.844-850. ISSN 0378-1844.

The tropical dry forest (TDF) constitutes an environment of a high ecological value and covers extensive areas in the Mexican Pacific. The Biosphere Reserve of Chamela-Cuixmala, in Jalisco, México, protects over 13000ha of this ecosystem. There are no human communities within the Reserve, but in its neighboring area most of the land belongs to farmers (ejidatarios), while in the coastal zone there are hotels, beach houses and other touristic facilities. In order to study the relations between society and the TDF, this work analyzes 1) aspects of the environmental history of the region, 2) the visions of farmers about the use and transformation of this ecosystem, and 3) the touristic units and the provision of ecosystemic services. Historically, the region was slowly populated and forests have been seen as difficult environments for productive labor. The agrarian reform land distribution and public policies have been the main drivers of forest transformation. Despite of this, there is still a 50-80% forest cover in farmers land. The touristic development has been slow in view of the high potential it has had for decades. The zone is currently at risk due to large touristic projects that can produce severe deterioration of the ecosystems and their service-providing capacities.

Keywords : Actividades Agropecuarias; Bosque Tropical Seco; Conflictos Ambientales; Conservación; Desarrollo Turístico; Servicios Ecosistémicos.