Vegetation ordenation of Matacanes Canyon, Santiago, Nuevo León, Mexico

Authors

  • Erick Alejandro Rodriguez Moctezuma Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León , Autonomous University of Nuevo León image/svg+xml
    • Jaime Sánchez Salas
      • Mario Alberto García Aranda Especies, Sociedad y Hábitat, A.C.
        • Andres Eduardo Estrada Castillón Autonomous University of Nuevo León image/svg+xml

          DOI:

          https://doi.org/10.19136/era.a12nV.4628

          Keywords:

          Vegetation, ordination, CCA, canyoning, adventure tourism

          Abstract

          Adventure tourism activities in natural areas can generate significant impacts on ecosystems, which requires an understanding of the factors influencing vegetation for effective management. The objective of this study was to identify the main environmental variables affecting the distribution of vegetation in the Matacanes Canyon in Mexico, and to evaluate the role of adventure tourism in its ecology. Sampling of the cover and density of 104 plant species and 15 environmental variables was conducted across 24 sites. Data analysis was performed using exploratory and confirmatory Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). Herbaceous cover, distance to the river, and altitude were the most influential variables on species distribution (CCA Axis 1). Trampling by humans and livestock was the most important variable on Axis 2. A strong correlation was found between browsing, livestock excrement, and the presence of litter. The study demonstrates that, while the canyon maintains an adequate conservation status with high native diversity, recreational and livestock activities are key disturbance factors influencing vegetation distribution, highlighting the need for management to mitigate these impacts.

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          Published

          2025-12-15

          Issue

          Section

          SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE

          How to Cite

          Rodriguez Moctezuma, E. A., Sánchez Salas, J., García Aranda, M. A., & Estrada Castillón, A. E. (2025). Vegetation ordenation of Matacanes Canyon, Santiago, Nuevo León, Mexico. Ecosistemas Y Recursos Agropecuarios, 12(V). https://doi.org/10.19136/era.a12nV.4628

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