Overview

The Sierra de Tapalpa is in southern Jalisco, Mexico, in a geographically transitional area rich in natural resources. Its wide altitudinal range (from 880 to 3,900 m.a.s.l.) has allowed diverse microclimates and biodiversity to thrive, which is representative of the Western Sierra. It has an area of 1,963.11 km2 and is composed of four municipalities: Atemajac de Brizuela, Chiquilistlán, San Gabriel and Tapalpa. 48,430 people live in this region, 51% women and 49% men, distributed in 185 rural localities (50.2% of the population) and 5 urban localities (49.8%).

The main types of vegetation are coniferous and oak forests, oak forests, and tropical deciduous forests. Forest dominates the area with 33.23% of the landscape as temperate-boreal forest and woodlands and 29.39% as tropical-subtropical forests, followed by agricultural use representing 33.77%. The landscape has a remarkable richness of fauna with important mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, and insect species, as well as an extensive variety of flora with some endemic species, due to the interaction of bioclimatic conditions. The territory also includes portions of two protected areas: the Nevado de Colima Volcano National Park and the Nevado de Colima Mesophilic Forest State Park. The landscape plays an important role connecting a few of the protected areas of the State of Jalisco, working as a biological corridor. Studies show that the Sierra de Tapalpa connects the Sierra de Quila with the volcanic complex of Colima (Nevado de Colima) and Sierra de Manantlán, functioning as an ecological corridor and contributing to the dispersion of species between these protected areas.

This ecological richness has been threatened by the impacts of bad practices in economic-productive activities. Agricultural activity, for instance, has caused changes in land use, and the expansion of crops with high commercial value is creating a growing demand for water. Tourist and recreational activities are often located in fragile areas and there is a lack of regulations for the use of ATVs and campfires, which is threatening biological connectivity and contributing to an increase in forest fires. In addition, there is significant pressure for conversion to settlements, especially in areas with high pressure for the development of cabins and vacation homes. Urban expansion and rural tourism, together with agri-food expansion have also led to population growth due to the immigration of a floating population attracted by tourism and agribusiness.

Human development conditions in the Sierra de Tapalpa have been improving since 2010. The population of Sierra de Tapalpa is classified as medium, derived from the recent growth of economic activities, such as the establishment of high-value crops and tourism. However those activities have caused negative impacts as well, including displacement of rural activities and an increase in the price of products and services.

Initiative Objectives

• Promote the balance between rural and agro-industrial productivity with the preservation of the natural heritage, ensuring sustainability, equity and justice
• Promote the sustainable management of ecosystems and their biodiversity, as well as the appreciation of the goods and services these provide
• Promote effective land use regulations and build collaborative relationships that favor high social well-being and improvements in the quality of life of the region
• Promote the development and strengthen an appreciation of a local collective identity and cultural heritage that make an exceptional region
• Promote effective governance and water management with a focus on the watershed, considering water as a priority element for sustaining the landscape

Commodities and Economic Activities

The main economic sectors are agriculture production, including avocado, corn, agave, berries, potato, and greenhouse crops. There is also forestry and cattle ranching. Tourism also plays an increasingly large role in the landscape.