Análisis de dos áreas naturales protegidas en relación con el crecimiento del Área Metropolitana de Xalapa, Veracruz

With the aim of analyzing the spatio-temporal dynamics of the human and nature relationship in an urban context, the natural protected areas “Molino de San Roque” and “Cerro de la Galaxia” were studied in correlation with the urban growth of Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. Both areas look deserted and defenseless. The interpretation of aerial photographs from 1993 to 2009 revealed that 41.8% of the Molino de San Roque's area and 50.7% of the Cerro de la Galaxia's area showed no alteration in the density and expansion of their vegetation; 12.2% and 26.7%, respectively, showed some vegetation growth, meanwhile 46% and 22.6%, again respectively, reflected a decrease in the bushy and arboreal cover. Micro historic-geographical analysis proved that in the inner parts of these areas, being the lower trafficked ones, we could notice some vegetation recovery, whereas in the periphery segments, deforestation was observed. The progressive human invasion was the biggest threat for these areas, but the abandonment by authorities constitutes another one. The greatest loss was not so much about the natural protected areas shrinkage, but rather about the quality of the landscape. An effective protection of the natural areas will never be reached if these areas keep remaining as deserted places. Indeed, this desertion leads to a separation between society and nature as citizens have no opportunity of using these natural areas in a practical or recreational way.