The Potential for Community-Based Forest Management in Chiapas, Mexico

Abstract Chiapas is among the poorest of Mexico's states and has been characterized by political instability, civil unrest, escalating population and widespread deforestation. Recent history and current land use issues were investigated in two highland communities, Juzanajab and Palma Real, to assess the factors influencing forest management decisions and the potential for sustainable forest use on communally-owned land. The two communities contrasted markedly, Juznajab possessing a larger forest resource, a higher population density, but a lower degree of marginalization. These differences were found to result from the contrasting historical development of the two areas, particularly with respect to the pattern of land use prior to agrarian reform and the impact of agrarian reform itself. More recently, agricultural intensification and intensive timber harvesting have impacted on the forest resources of both communities. The communities also differed in pattern of forest use, five and fourteen different ...