Canopy openings in the Trans-Mexican Neovolcanic Belt: Characteristics, distribution, and conservation relevance in a biosphere reserve

Canopy openings in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (MBBR) are more prevalent in core zones and Abies religiosa forests, with higher densities observed on gentle slopes and at extreme elevations. These openings, often linked to pest outbreaks, reflect a mix of natural and human-induced disturbances, particularly within ejidos where timber harvesting is permitted. The study used NDVI data and Google Earth imagery to quantify these patterns, revealing critical areas for conservation prioritization—such as core zones and A. religiosa forests—to safeguard forest integrity and monarch butterfly overwintering habitat.

Guerrero-Marmolejo, A., Ramos, M. M., Ramírez, M. I., Oropeza-Sánchez, M. T., Salinas-Melgoza, M. Á., & Pérez-Salicrup, D. R. (2026). Canopy openings in the Trans-Mexican Neovolcanic Belt: Characteristics, distribution, and conservation relevance in a biosphere reserve. Trees, Forests and People, 26, 101420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2026.101420