Ecology and Man in Mexico’s Central Volcanoes Area

Mexico has been recognized as one of the most diverse countriesin the world with roughly 10-12% of world's species in a territory ofonly approximately 1.5% of the world's total emerged land. In general, the explanation for the high number of species richness in Mexico hasbeen sought in the complex geologic history, the varied climaticregions because of the large altitudinal differences and the fact thattwo of the major realms, the Nearctic and Neotropic, meet in Mexico.This book shows numerous methodologies for collecting, processing andanalyzing data from natural area, illustrating it in applications toMexico's Iztaccihuatl-Popocatepetl National Park. Thebook is written for ecologists, geographers, graduate biology studentsand natural resource managers. It therefore responds directly andprimarily to their viewpoints and objectives. However, since ecosystemmanagement and decisions about natural-area preservation take placewithin socioeconomic and political environments that are dynamic andplural, conflicts with those objectives are sure to arise. Therefore, the last chapter goes beyond managers' objectives and viewpoints"per" "se" to explore and respond to potential conflicts.