A coupled cartographic approach between bioclimatology and vegetation formations of Mexico

[EN] The task of classifying and naming Mexican vegetation types has been undertaken by previous botanists, ecologists, and mapping agencies. However, discrepancies remain due to the lack of criteria and joint efforts from a geographical and botanical perspective. We aim to unravel the complex inter...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Gopar Merino, Luis Fernando, Velázquez, Alejandro, González Pérez, Alejandro, Río González, Sara del, Mas, Jean-François‏, Penas Merino, Ángel
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Universidad de León
Repositorio:BULERIA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de León
OAI Identifier:oai:buleria.unileon.es:10612/22466
Acceso en línea:https://vcs.pensoft.net/article/120442/
https://hdl.handle.net/10612/22466
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Botánica
Ecología. Medio ambiente
Bioclimatology
Geobotanical approach
Land use
Mapping techniques
Mexico
Sustainable management
Vegetation classification
2417.13 Ecología Vegetal
2505.01-1 Biogeografía Botánica
2502.03 Bioclimatología
2417.20 Taxonomía Vegetal
Descripción
Sumario:[EN] The task of classifying and naming Mexican vegetation types has been undertaken by previous botanists, ecologists, and mapping agencies. However, discrepancies remain due to the lack of criteria and joint efforts from a geographical and botanical perspective. We aim to unravel the complex interactions between climate and vegetation in Mexico using climatic data and advanced mapping techniques, display in maps the transition from land cover to vegetation maps and couple geobotanical and bioclimatological approaches to provide a sound, unified system for identifying Mexican bioclimatic physiognomic patterns. Methods: Bioclimatic mapping was developed from the Digital Climatic Atlas of Mexico data source. In addition, land cover and vegetation data were obtained from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography of Mexico regrouped as described by the Standardized Hierarchical Vegetation Classification. These data were analysed via standard map crossing technics using geographic information systems. Results and conclusions: The results revealed five ombrotypes and five thermotypes, leading to the identification of 13 different bioclimatic classes, which, when combined with physiognomic types, led us to recognize 11 forests, 3 shrublands and 3 herbaceous formations (at a scale of 1:4,000,000). The core outcome is a detailed bioclimatic/physiognomic vegetation map including forests, shrublands and areas dominated by Herbaceous/Non-Vascular formations. The map highlights the critical importance of harmonising methodologies to ensure comprehensive and accurate insights into Mexico’s bioclimatic diversity