Analysis of the Temporal and Spatial Evolution of Recovery and Degradation Processes in Vegetated Areas Using a Time Series of Landsat TM Images (1986-2011): Central Region of Chihuahua, Mexico

This paper analyzed the temporal and spatial evolution of vegetation dynamics in various land covers in the basin of the Laguna Bustillos, Region of Cuauhtemoc, Chihuahua, Mexico. We used an NDVI time series for the months of March to April (early spring). The series was constructed from Landsat TM images for the period 1986-2011. The results show an increase of NDVI for vegetated areas, especially in conifer cover, while shrub and grassland showed a positive trend but with lower statistical significance. The increase in minimum temperatures in early spring, during the study period, was the most important factor in explaining the increase of NDVI in vegetated areas. A spatially distributed analysis shows large areas without an NDVI trend, corresponding to areas with sparse vegetation cover (degraded areas). Moreover, there are also areas with a negative trend (loss of vegetation), explained by the exploitation of trees to produce firewood which is mainly carried out by the ejidos in the region. These results help to focus human and financial resources in places where the benefit will be greatest.