LAND USE CHANGES IN A COMMUNITY OF HIGHLAND CHIAPAS, MEXICO

Abstract

Degradation of natural resources highlights the need for an ecological planning strategy, which implies harmonizing physical-geographic variation with efficient conservational utilization. In order to do this, it is necessary to understand the existing spatial pattern of land organization. The purpose of this study was to identify the pertinent factors in land use organization and their dynamics, in Bautista Chico, a tzotzil ethnic group community, which is representative of the most intensively agricultural area in the Highlands of the State of Chiapas, during the period from 1950 to 1990. Physical-natural, technical and social aspects were analyzed, by interpretation of aerial photographs from different decades, interviewing producers, and field data from their plots. Productive spaces meant to satisfy the population?s needs were identified. The extent and internal attributes of these spaces have changed because of the tendency towards a greater land use intensification, conditioned by different factors: physiographic diversity, demographic growth and its temporary fluctuations, technological adaptations in resource management, tenancy and scattered plots. Evidence is provided of insufficiency and degradation of basic productive resources even though certain producers take action towards resource conservation. It is suggested that land use and resources management alternatives, to be propose, should consider the improvement of these productive areas as well as the active participation of local social agents.