Bosque el Nixticuil
Encyclopedia
The Bosque el Nixticuil (Nixticuil Forest) is a old-growth forest located northwest of the Metropolitan Zone of Guadalajara in the Mexican town of Zapopan
. An urban forest, it is encroached by the metropolitan area's constant growth. It is mostly composed of oak
, holm oak
and pine.
It is a remnant of a larger, now vanished, forest of more than 27,000 hectares. Its name comes from a local natural promontory called El Nixticuil.
(NPA) under the category of municipal watershed protection area (Area Municipal de Protección Hidrológica). The areas covered by the forest protection decree cover Nixticuil, the Cerro del Diente and the community of San Esteban, which form part of the Río Blanco watershed.
, fox
, skunk
, rabbit
, opossum, various species of rodents and birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects.
Various bird counts have been conducted in the forest, with one study by the University of Guadalajara reporting 107 distinct avian species (two rare, seven threatened and a one under special protection).
In addition to oaks, pines and holm oaks, there is also a great biodiversity of herbs and shrubs such as kidneywood, copal
, mallow
, mugwort, foxtail
, and other trees such as willow
, the amate fig
, and the Cat's Claw
(tepame) and Needle Bush
(huisache) acacias. It is one of three known habitats of the Styrax jaliscana, a white-flowering shrub in the Styrax
family.
Following this, the work was suspended and negotiations began. These negotiations continued until the city government decided without warning to retake and expand the territory designated for construction. Thereafter, protests renewed, and on May 18, 2005, the protesters managed to stop the work again, by which time more than 300 oak trees had been cut down.
Together with the Zapopan municipal government's plan to construct public housing on 5 hectares of forest, various other public and private developments have been proposed within Nixticuil Forest. The development sponsored by the Villa de los Niños Association consists of the construction of a building complex, while the Autonomous University of Guadalajara
(UAG) presented a project to construct a "University Science and Technology Research Park".
By the end of 2006 the Zapopan government proposed the designation of Nixticuil Forest as a natural protected area. Nevertheless, the Jalisco State Legislature did not act until February 19, 2008 to approve the protected status of 1,591 hectares, which presupposed the freezing of the various municipal projects within Nixticuil Forest.
In June of 2007, Comité Salvabosque Tigre II, a community organization, presented a complaint before the Federal Prosecutor for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) to terminate development, alleging irregularities in the granting of permits. On March 18, this same group also filed a complaint with the Jalisco State Human Rights Commission (CEDHJ).
The Comité Salvabosque decries, in addition to private development plans, pressure by real estate interests continues, as well as anomalies in the act creating the protected area which they allege favor private interests including the Leaño family, the UAG's landowners.
These fires have had a serious impact on the flora and fauna, as these fires have increased the pace of urban growth in municipality of Zapopan.
Zapopan
Zapopan is a city and municipality located in the Mexican state of Jalisco, which is part of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area. It is best known as being the home of the Virgin of Zapopan, an image of the Virgin Mary which was made in the 16th century. This image has been credited with a number of...
. An urban forest, it is encroached by the metropolitan area's constant growth. It is mostly composed of oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
, holm oak
Holm Oak
Quercus ilex, the Holm Oak or Holly Oak is a large evergreen oak native to the Mediterranean region. It takes its name from holm, an ancient name for holly...
and pine.
It is a remnant of a larger, now vanished, forest of more than 27,000 hectares. Its name comes from a local natural promontory called El Nixticuil.
Extent
The forest stretches over 1,860 hectares, of which 1,591 have been established as a protected areaProtected area
Protected areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognised natural, ecological and/or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international...
(NPA) under the category of municipal watershed protection area (Area Municipal de Protección Hidrológica). The areas covered by the forest protection decree cover Nixticuil, the Cerro del Diente and the community of San Esteban, which form part of the Río Blanco watershed.
Fauna and Flora
The forest's wildlife include coyoteCoyote
The coyote , also known as the American jackal or the prairie wolf, is a species of canine found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States and Canada...
, fox
Fox
Fox is a common name for many species of omnivorous mammals belonging to the Canidae family. Foxes are small to medium-sized canids , characterized by possessing a long narrow snout, and a bushy tail .Members of about 37 species are referred to as foxes, of which only 12 species actually belong to...
, skunk
Skunk
Skunks are mammals best known for their ability to secrete a liquid with a strong, foul odor. General appearance varies from species to species, from black-and-white to brown or cream colored. Skunks belong to the family Mephitidae and to the order Carnivora...
, rabbit
Rabbit
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...
, opossum, various species of rodents and birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects.
Various bird counts have been conducted in the forest, with one study by the University of Guadalajara reporting 107 distinct avian species (two rare, seven threatened and a one under special protection).
In addition to oaks, pines and holm oaks, there is also a great biodiversity of herbs and shrubs such as kidneywood, copal
Bursera glabrifolia
Bursera glabrifolia is one of two species commonly referred to as "Copal." Copal is the wood most commonly used by the woodcarvers in Oaxaca, Mexico. The woodcarvers refer to Bursera glabriofolia as "macho" or male copal, which they like less than Bursera bipinnata, which they refer to as...
, mallow
Malvaceae
Malvaceae, or the mallow family, is a family of flowering plants containing over 200 genera with close to 2,300 species. Judd & al. Well known members of this family include okra, jute and cacao...
, mugwort, foxtail
Foxtail
-Plants:*Foxtail , the dry spikelet or spikelet cluster of some grasses** Alopecurus ** Bromus madritensis ** Hordeum jubatum...
, and other trees such as willow
Willow
Willows, sallows, and osiers form the genus Salix, around 400 species of deciduous trees and shrubs, found primarily on moist soils in cold and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere...
, the amate fig
Ficus
Ficus is a genus of about 850 species of woody trees, shrubs, vines, epiphytes, and hemiepiphyte in the family Moraceae. Collectively known as fig trees or figs, they are native throughout the tropics with a few species extending into the semi-warm temperate zone. The Common Fig Ficus is a genus of...
, and the Cat's Claw
Acacia greggii
Acacia greggii is a species of Acacia native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, from the extreme south of Utah south through southern Nevada, southeast California, Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas to Baja California, Sinaloa and Nuevo León in...
(tepame) and Needle Bush
Needle Bush
Vachellia farnesiana, also known as Acacia farnesiana, commonly known as Needle Bush, is so named because of the numerous thorns distributed along its branches. The native range of V. farnesiana is uncertain. While the point of origin is Mexico and Central America the species has a pantropical...
(huisache) acacias. It is one of three known habitats of the Styrax jaliscana, a white-flowering shrub in the Styrax
Styrax
Styrax is a genus of about 130 species of large shrubs or small trees in the family Styracaceae, mostly native to warm temperate to tropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with the majority in eastern and southeastern Asia, but also crossing the equator in South America...
family.
Threats
This forest is currently threatened for several reasons. Environmental organizations such as the Comité Salvabosque de El Nixticuil and the Comité Salvabosque Tigre II have decided to undertake actions to protect it.Protected status
In 2005, neighbors and activists petitioned the city of Zapopan to grant the official status of "Protected Area" to 30 hectares of forest. This came after 2004's rainy season, when the ground gave way in the Nextipac community, affecting its inhabitants. At that point, the Zapopan city government intended to relocate those residents to a forested area adjacent to Tigre II, with construction scheduled for 2005. Those already living in Tigre II who wanted to avoid the destruction of the forest, and a significant number of Nextipac residents who refused their forced removal, united to oppose this project.Following this, the work was suspended and negotiations began. These negotiations continued until the city government decided without warning to retake and expand the territory designated for construction. Thereafter, protests renewed, and on May 18, 2005, the protesters managed to stop the work again, by which time more than 300 oak trees had been cut down.
Together with the Zapopan municipal government's plan to construct public housing on 5 hectares of forest, various other public and private developments have been proposed within Nixticuil Forest. The development sponsored by the Villa de los Niños Association consists of the construction of a building complex, while the Autonomous University of Guadalajara
Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara
The Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara A.C. is a private university in Mexico, the first of its kind.The campuses are located in Zapopan, Jalisco. The university has become one of the most important educational institutions in Latin America, attracting students from Mexico, Europe, South...
(UAG) presented a project to construct a "University Science and Technology Research Park".
By the end of 2006 the Zapopan government proposed the designation of Nixticuil Forest as a natural protected area. Nevertheless, the Jalisco State Legislature did not act until February 19, 2008 to approve the protected status of 1,591 hectares, which presupposed the freezing of the various municipal projects within Nixticuil Forest.
In June of 2007, Comité Salvabosque Tigre II, a community organization, presented a complaint before the Federal Prosecutor for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) to terminate development, alleging irregularities in the granting of permits. On March 18, this same group also filed a complaint with the Jalisco State Human Rights Commission (CEDHJ).
The Comité Salvabosque decries, in addition to private development plans, pressure by real estate interests continues, as well as anomalies in the act creating the protected area which they allege favor private interests including the Leaño family, the UAG's landowners.
Wildfires
Fires are one of the greatest threats faced by this forest. According to environmental groups that protect the forest, some of these fires have been intentional, motivated by economic interests.These fires have had a serious impact on the flora and fauna, as these fires have increased the pace of urban growth in municipality of Zapopan.