Degradation and deforestation of tropical dry forests in western Mexico

 

Tropical dry forest is the natural vegetation of 

much of western Mexico

 

The lower lying, level areas are mostly already  

deforested for permanent agriculture

 

while the lower slopes are commonly used for 

shifting cultivation and temporary pastures,

resulting in degradation.

There is rapid regrowth of secondary forest  following

shifting cultivation 

but cattle are often allowed to graze freely on 

these slopes, reducing the capacity of 

the forest to regenerate.