Deforestation in Mexico
Mexico's rain-forest and forest hold most of the diversity in the world. This country along with other eleven countries host seventy percent of world' diversity, being considered a mega-diverse country (Hood, 2010). The deforestation in the country is a main concern for the preservation of the environment. Mexico holds a large number of animal species (see chart below), if deforestation continues most of this species can be endangered or extincted and will cause severe damages to the environment. Mexico's economy is also affected by the deforestation because most of the tourism is targeted to the nature. The economy in general is affected as well because all individuals need natural resources, the less the quantity of resources, the more expensive they are. Deforestation in Mexico is mainly because of agricultural activities; however, actions are being taken, hotspots as Lacandona and the butterfly forest are being preserved and programs are operating in order to stop deforestation and to preserve biodiversity in Mexico.
Annual rate of deforestation
Mexico's seven percent annual rate of deforestation (Kanat), is damaging communities, and endangering native animals. This rate has been decreasing during the past decades due to government legislations, non-profit organization's actions, and international organizations' s projects. Despite this efforts, the rate of deforestation is still positive, decreasing the natural ecosystem to increase agricultural land.
According to an study made by the International Development Bank the "[d]eforestation rates for the period of 2005-2010 [were] an average of [...] 155,000 hectares per year" (Visconti et. al, 2012, p. 1), a land transformation that is primarily used for agriculture. Mexico' social system determines the causes and effects of this deforestation rate. In Mexico, agricultural land is distributed in form of "ejidos", a type of properties that began during the revolution in an attempt to gain social equity. For this reason, most of the "ejidos" owners have low economic income. Individual owners with an "average poverty rates of 75%10 and significant lags in health and education" (Visconti et. al p. ). Therefore, "ejidatarios" do not have the resources to invest in sustainable long term benefits.
That is the main reason of why deforestation in Mexico is high. People use agricultural methods such as slash and burn, a method that consist in setting fire to the vegetation to clean the land. The benefit of slash and burn is that it is the cheapest and faster form to prepare the land for cultivation. However, the problem is the decrease of forest, the increase of erosion, the decrease of nutrients in the land, and decrease of the biodiversity (Stief). Furthermore, the C02 produced increases global warming. The problems clarify the negative impacts that slash and burn produce in the environment and the economy. Not only the country and the world's environment is being harm but also the farmers that will not have resources and biodiversity where to cultivate on the later years.
That is the main reason of why deforestation in Mexico is high. People use agricultural methods such as slash and burn, a method that consist in setting fire to the vegetation to clean the land. The benefit of slash and burn is that it is the cheapest and faster form to prepare the land for cultivation. However, the problem is the decrease of forest, the increase of erosion, the decrease of nutrients in the land, and decrease of the biodiversity (Stief). Furthermore, the C02 produced increases global warming. The problems clarify the negative impacts that slash and burn produce in the environment and the economy. Not only the country and the world's environment is being harm but also the farmers that will not have resources and biodiversity where to cultivate on the later years.
Attributed by Environmental Geology