The Sierra de Manantlan Biosphere Reserve: the difficult task of becoming a catalyst for regional sustained development
The Sierra de Manantlan Biosphere Reserve (SMBR) encompasses approximately 140,000 ha, ranging in altitude rom 400 m to 2,960 m in southwestern Jalisco, Mexico. Edaphic and climatic changes along an altitudinal gradient produce a distinct pattern of vegetation zones, starting with tropical dry forest at lower elevations and including oak, pine, fir, and clud forests near the summits. Rivers and streams originating in the reserve maintain the agricultural economies of several lowland valleys. Lumber is an important forest product and through adequate management can become a constant source of income to the poor rural communities in the area. Local inhabitants use mushrooms, blackberries, orchids, bamboo, freshwater shrimps, fish, wildlife and many other forest products for food, building materials, artesanal crafts and for medicinal purposes. In 1977 a new species of perennial corn, Zea diploperennis, which is resistant to major corn viral diseases, was discovered in these mountains, bringing the area to the attention of the international scientific community and general public. Because of its importance in the genetic improvement of commercial corn, Zea diploperennis has become the classic example of the need for in situ preservation of genetic diversity in wilderness areas. In 1985 the University of Guadalajara created an interdisciplinary institution to conduct research and management activities in the area. The conservation of genetic diversity will be achieved via small-scale sustainable development projects. The project proposes a constant interaction between the government, the university and the communities within the reserve. The initial socioeconomic and ecological diagnosis is conducted through participatory workshops in which the local inhabitants identify their problems and suggest their solutions through a feedback research process. The implementation of the solutions is a responsibility of the three sectors. In this sense the biosphere reserve serves as a biological conservation entity, as well as a catalytic project for regional sustainable development.
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | biblioteca |
| Published: |
Atlanta, Georgia (EUA)
1989
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| Subjects: | RESERVA DE LA BIOSFERA DE LA SIERRA DE MANANTLAN, MEXICO, |
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