Evaluación de la calidad y riesgo de la vegetación del Bosque Protector la Ceiba y su área de influencia

Abstract

The present study analyzed the state of native vegetation and its remanence and risk level at the La Ceiba protected forest and its influence area. For this, the cover and land use were obtained from a Landsat 8 satellite scene. The state of the vegetation was determined based on the use of the NDVI vegetation index. As well as the risk level to which the remaining vegetation is exposed was evaluated by analyzing the spatial influence of several anthropic factors. The results show that the remnant vegetation occupies around 78% of the study area, consolidating as the dominant coverage. NDVI values indicate the area has good vegetation quality. Nevertheless, despite these positive results, more than 60% of this vegetation presents a high risk level. The results also suggest the expansion of anthropic activities in the Zapotillo canton supposing a risk to the vegetation inside the protected forest. In this context, it is necessary to increase and develop planning strategies for conservation in the surrounding forest of the protected area.