The challenges of reforestation and the Pro Árbol tree-planting program

A nice graphic from Milenio on the extent of Mexico´s forests:

The newspaper reptorts, using data from CONEVAL (Consejo Nacional de Evaluación de la Política de Desarrollo Social), that the ambitious Pro Árbol tree-planting program of Felipe Calderón (expanded from that of Vicente Fox and of Ernesto Zedillo before him) have had a survival rate of only 55 percent, while in 12 states, the program has had no success at all. Notably, 50 percent of all deforestation is happening in only four states: Campeche, Quintana Roo, Yucatán and Chiapas.

While depressing figures, given its 5-billion pesos in spending, this is actually better than earlier reports from some NGOs that suggested even lower numbers. Moreover, the survival rate is increasing: It is up from 46 % in 2005, and only 28% in 2001.

Mexican reforestation has been touted internationally as a success story, yet clearly huge challenges remains.