Cobertura y uso del suelo en la cuenca de Cuitzeo, Michoacán, México: 45 años de cambio

The Cuitzeo Basin, located in central Mexico, has suffered severe environmental degradation in recent decades, affecting biodiversity and water resources.This study provides an accurate quantification of land cover and land use change (LCLUC) over the past 45 years, using Sentinel-2A imagery and existing land cover and land use maps.The results indicate a high classification accuracy (Kappa coefficient of 90.2%).Between 1975 and 2000, shrublands and forests expanded (25.4% and 21.1%), while the lake and croplands declined (-28.2% and -21.9%), and human settlements increased (141%).Between 2000 and 2020, shrublands and forests decreased (-18.3% and -5.4%), while human settlements and grasslands expanded (63.9% and 57.8%).These findings highlight vegetation degradation and the urgent need to implement actions and policies that promote the restoration and sustainable management of the basin.