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DEFORESTATION IN MEXICO

Currently, the rate of deforestation occurring in Mexico is alarming. Compared to a study

that was done by Barbie & Joanne in 1996 where the total forests are in Mexico were 49.6

hectares covering almost 25 percent of the total land in the country. Moreover, 24.1 million

hectares of the forest is located in the south and southeast region of Mexico, 34.2 million

hectares found in potential productive regions such as near mountain and the rest located in steep

and conservation regions. Besides that almost 70% of the total lands are owned by communal

landowners (ejidos), 25% owned by individuals and 5% by the Amerindian communities (Barbie

& Joanne, Pg. 2). What’s alarming is the rate of deforestation experienced on the whole

currently. In a study by Díaz‐Gallegos, the recent estimate of trees being cut in Mexico ranges

between 400,000 to 1,600,000 hectares per annum. Such estimates continue to indicate that more

deforestation has been witnessed in the tropical compared to the temperate areas. For instance,

Barbie and Joanne (Pg. 3) indicated that in 1992 alone 46% of the total forest cleared took place

in the tropical forest and 28% in the tropical evergreen forest. Recently, environmentalists have

raised concerned at the rate of deforestation experience in the country, sighting that almost

500,000 hectares of forests are lost every year. Therefore, the development of this paper will

focus on providing insights as to what has caused the rate of deforestation and why it should be a

concern.
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In a recent campaign done in 2018 by World Land Trust, they quote that the recent

destruction of forest in Mexico is worrying, ancient forests located in the heart of Mexico are

being lost to illegal logging and manmade fires. Thus, a lot of trees that are hundreds of year’s

old and rich habitats for wildlife are being destroyed. So what has escalated such levels of

destruction? In a study conducted in 2019 by Link, the expansion of agriculture frontiers in 2016

accounted for 98 percent of the total deforestation witnessed in the country. While there was a

boom in avocado production which contributed highly to economic growth, it also acted as a

catalyst for deforestation and degradation of Mexico forests. To gather more insight into how

avocado has influenced deforestation, Link indicated that in states such as Mexico, Michoacan

and Jalisco the rate of avocado production has increased tremendously, with Jalisco having 1001

percent increase, Mexico 511 percent and Michoacan 162 percent. Besides, the rate of

consumption of avocado in the U.S. per-capita has propelled to 440 percent in the last two

decades. Thus, avocado has become the largest export for Mexico, and 80-90 percent of the total

fresh avocado in the U.S. market coming from Mexico. Since demand is still increasing and the

pressure is still being felt by Mexican farmers to deliver more, it’s estimated that between 14000

to 19000 acres of forest will continue to be destroyed to allow avocado production.

On the other hand, the policies passed by the Mexican government affect deforestation

since they push incentives that allow the conversion of forest land for such economic activities,

instead of maintaining forests for timber production, harvesting of non-timber products,

watershed conservation, tourism, and other uses. Hence, the comparative returns that are attained

from converting forests into an agricultural field and livestock production play a critical role in

escalated levels of deforestation (Barbie and Joanne). Besides the fact that policies tend to favor

deforestation of the land, the government of Mexico has tried to implement policies that prevent
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deforestation. But, conflict tends to emerge because, since 1950, the government's core objective

has been to ensure that the prices of primary industrial input and basic foodstuffs are affordable

for the consumer. This is aimed at boosting economic growth and industrialization. As a result,

conflict tends to emerge between these two objectives presenting a complex array of policy

interventions in the agriculture sector. Unless policies are set right the issue of deforestation will

continue to escalate to even bigger margins.

Other secondary factors that have led to deforestation in Mexico, include; illegal logging

of wood which is used for industrial purposes such as paper production, furniture, and match-

sticks as well as firewood supply in some regions, deforestation in Mexico has also been brought

about by desertification of land such which is either natural or part due to land abuse making it

unfit for trees growth, fire blaze has also been experienced every year leading to deforestation in

some region.

So what effects are likely to be experienced as a result of deforestation in Mexico? First,

it’s worth noting that a lot of species survive in the forest. Therefore, due to deforestation loss of

species (plants and animals) living in the forest will disappear. Trees also play a crucial role in

the conservation of water sources by grounding the water in their roots and releasing it into the

atmosphere. Therefore, the cutting of trees affects the water cycle and could lead to no rainfall

experienced in Mexico. Furthermore, if deforestation continues in the country the rate of soil

erosion is likely to increase. Besides, the life-quality in the country will go low. For instance, the

most beautiful forest in the world “El gran bosque de agua” which enables live of those living

within and nearby the region may be affected (Díaz‐Gallegos et al). The regulation of air quality,

food and other goods produced in the region may also be affected. Thus, it’s evident that with the

rate of deforestation being experienced in Mexico, lives will be at stake.

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In conclusion, the rate of deforestation in Mexico is high and alarming. This has been

brought about by factors such as increased agricultural production of crops for export,

government policies that promote agriculture at the expense of forest, illegal logging of wood for

industries, forest fires and desertification of land which may be natural or due to land abuse

preventing trees growth. Therefore, the government must take necessary measures to ensure that

such activities that lead to deforestation stop. Besides, they can also set policies that encourage

forest conservation and trees growing to help solve the crisis which is being witnessed in the

country. Doing this will help prevent adverse consequences brought about by climate change and

also play a crucial role in the fight against global warming.

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Work Cited

Link, Susanne. "The bittersweet taste of Mexico’s Green Gold–A cross-country study on the

development and the awareness of sustainable avocados." (2019).

https://blog.globalforestwatch.org/commodities/forests-falling-fast-to-make-way-for-mexican-

avocado

Díaz‐Gallegos, José Reyes, Jean‐François Mas, and Alejandro Velázquez. "Trends of tropical

deforestation in Southeast Mexico." Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography 31.2 (2010): 180-

196.

Barbier, Edward B., and Joanne C. Burgess. "Economic analysis of deforestation in

Mexico." Environment and Development Economics 1.2 (1996): 203-239.

World Land Trust: https://www.worldlandtrust.org/news/2018/07/mexicos-ancient-forests/