Perception of the natural resources use in the Altavista community, sierra de vallejo biosphere reserve, Nayarit

Abstract

The global nature protection is alarming, because the development of society devalues the role of nature. Mexico, a megadiverse country poses as a conservation strategy, the inclusion of Protected Natural Areas (PNA), which should involve the communities that inhabit them through the natural resource management, in terms of conservation and needs of its inhabitants. The state of Nayarit is biologically diverse, reflected in the existing ANP as Biosphere Reserve Sierra de Vallejo (BRSV) (state), governed under federal guidelines, but does not receive the same attention, presenting the need to know the vision of communities about. This study examines the perception of people in Altavista on the use of natural resources in the PNA, addressing a mixed approach, using survey and observation to make a social-economic-environmental diagnosis, determining the perception of natural resource use in different community sectors. The 95% of respondents was not consulted about the establishment of PNA, however 86% are agree with living in it, the half of population also receives an economic benefit from living in the PNA, mainly for payment for environmental services, the main resource used is wood (81%) and water (5%). Thus, the perception of the inhabitants should be considered for the improvement of their condition as well as in previous consultation processes in future PNA statements.