Home – Home – Jornals – Geography and Natural Resources 2022 number 4

This research has identified the landscapes in Chiapas State (Mexico) with the best natural conditions by using the theoretical-methodological principles of complex physical geography. To achieve this goal, the biodiversity was assessed by calculating the number of vascular plant species for each landscape unit and correlated with the results of previous research regarding landscape diversity and anthropization of vegetation cover. The results indicate that the highest levels of biodiversity correspond to the predominant and recurring landscapes. These geographical relationships indicate the influence of the geomorphological component on the distribution of biodiversity, which was quantitatively validated via two statistical correlations. It was found that the complexes of summits, hillslopes, and gullies in mountain landscapes of tectonic-karstic, tectonic-accumulative and tectonic-intrusive origin, in temperate, semi-warm humid to subhumid, warm humid, and warm subhumid climates, located in the physical-geographical regions of Lacandona Mountains, Southern Mountains of Chiapas, and Western Mountains of Chiapas, all have the most preserved physical-geographical landscapes. In recent years, however, geocomplexes have been impacted by society, which is particularly evident in the Northern Mountains of the Chiapas region. The results of this research are an important contribution to the land-use planning processes because they make it possible to objectively establish environmental policies in Chiapas. For instance, this research provides the geographic basis for modifying or promoting new natural protected areas.