The Biosphere Preserve – In name only

This ecoregion is designated by the code NT0227 by the World Wildlife Fund. But despite this designation, certain mining rights have been sold which threaten the aquifer and all the surrounding watersheds. In addition, the woodlands and the arid subtropical scrub support several human activities without efficient control including hunting, gathering firewood or harvesting trees, and both intensive and extensive livestock breeding. For 1990, the number of all kind of cattle in the south tip of the peninsula was estimated at no less than 30,000 heads. 25 years later this number has likely doubled.

EO Earth explains:

Subtropical dry forests have been generally considered one of the most threatened of the tropical ecosystems, and in the state of Baja California Sur they hold the preponderance  of the biodiversity for the state. Portions of the Sierra de Laguna dry forest ecoregion still remain intact. However, accessible areas are being converted for cattle grazing. There is still no recognizable fragmentation of the habitat, mostly due to the reduced exploitation of forest resources. In June 1994 the region was established as a Protected Natural Area] (PNA) with pine oak forests and subtropical dry forest as the key areas for protection.

The fragile nature of this region suggests the need for legal protection over a long period, in order to prevent disturbances caused by human overpopulation and exploitation of forest resources for livestock grazing. Native villagers often kill wild species (mostly predators) that they deem threats to their domestic animals. If this practice continues, the natural processes could be altered that maintain ecoregion biodiversity. Although human disturbance in Sierra de la Laguna has been minimal, any uncontrolled perturbation to this fragile ecosystem may create an imbalance. Such a change could ultimately cause the disappearance of a broad array of evolutionary phenomena that produce the unique vegetation assemblage here in the midst of an enormous arid landscape.

The world Wildlife Fund explains:

Located at the southern end of the Baja California peninsula, this region was once an isolated island and contains a high number of endemic species. After joining the mainland, this region gave way to speciation and is high in species diversity; this portion of the peninsula contains the majority of the species found here. This subtropical dry forest is threatened by cattle grazing and the hunting of predators. Designated as a Protected Natural Area (PNA), it’s going to take all of our help to save this unique and important ecoregion from fragmentation.

Here are some links for more information on the land and its plants, animals and people.

http://www.loscabosrestaurantguide.com/tropical%20dry%20forest.htm

http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/nt/nt0307_full.html

http://www.loscabosguide.com/magazine/articles/lcm7/hiking7.htm