Opportunity for community based conservation
Forests cover more than one-third of Mexico. And since the Mexican Revolution, at the beginning of the 20th century, over 80% of the forests have been controlled by local communities. Yet unsustainable forest management is widespread. Many communities use old-growth forest as “natural pasture”. Overloading of cattle leads to severe degradation and reduces the potential for forests to absorb carbon and mitigate climate change. Between 2002 and 2018 Mexico lost more than 500,000 ha of primary forest. Reducing unsustainable livestock management is therefore key to protecting Mexico’s forest.
Opportunity for community based conservation
Forests cover more than one-third of Mexico. And since the Mexican Revolution, at the beginning of the 20th century, over 80% of the forests have been controlled by local communities. Yet unsustainable forest management is widespread. Many communities use old-growth forest as “natural pasture”. Overloading of cattle leads to severe degradation and reduces the potential for forests to absorb carbon and mitigate climate change. Between 2002 and 2018 Mexico lost more than 500,000 ha of primary forest. Reducing unsustainable livestock management is therefore key to protecting Mexico’s forest.
Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda – a community-founded organisation – have been working since 1987 to protect the temperate and cloud forests of The Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve. This biosphere reserve covers 33% of Querétaro state. In a healthy state, the Sierra Gorda forests act as massive carbon sinks and a home for abundant biodiversity: the area is a microcosm of Mexican natural heritage (find out more here). The “Biodiverse Carbon” model recognizes this and matches protecting and regenerating forests with benefits for the local community.
Natural forest regeneration
GESG find that natural regeneration is the best way to protect and restore forests. That means simply fencing an area to keep cattle out to halt grazing and allow a forest to naturally recover. “Natural regeneration by excluding livestock shows incredible results”, says Chava Rivas – Head of Forestry Projects at GESG, “we have seen 15 forest species regenerate in one hectare of forest”.