Land use and cover change in Santa Maria Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico.

A historical study from 1960 to 2020.

Abstract

The municipality of Santa María Huatulco, in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, has been the scene of different historical-territorial processes, capable of being analyzed by changes in land use and land covers. Contextually, we establish four periods in which we recognize significant transformations in the organization of the territory: a) 1960-1969, land tenure conflicts; (b) 1970-1979, insertion into the national economic model; c) 1980-1995, changes oriented towards tourist activity; and d) 1995-2020, conservation tourism and sustainable development. To visualize the changes spatially, we elaborate time-specific mapping. Methodologically, we conducted file research in the Registro Agrario Nacional and in the Diario Oficial de la Federación. Historical statistical data on population and economic activities were processed. For mapping, maps were developed using the hybrid method, which combines satellite images and photographs areas. The data was verified using fieldwork. The research allowed to identify geographical changes in Huatulco in close relation to territorial policies and the ways in which, locally, the are reacted to and according to their different historical moments.