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ASSESSMENT AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR NATURAL RESOURCES 
REGULATION IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF GARZA GARCIA, 
NUEVO LEON, MEXICO 
Ernesto C. Enkerlin 
Silvia Casas Gonzalez 
Wilver Salinas Castillo 
Universidad Autonoma de Taumalipas 
Favultad de Agronomia - Unidad de Teledeteccion 
C.U. Adolfo Lopez Mateos, A.P. 337 
CD, Victoria, Taumalipas 87149, Mexico 
ISPRS Commission VII / Working Group 9 
ABSTRACT 
Mexico has great needs for an objective basis in planning, regulation and control of natural resources and 
development at the municipality or country level. We used geographic information systems and 
multitemporal satellite images (1973, 1980, 1986 and 1993) supported by bibliographic research, ground 
truthing and existing geographic information to determine the current status and historic evolution of land 
use patterns in the municipality of Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. We found accelerated urban 
growth in the seventies followed by rapid and sustained growth in the eighties. Most of the land with few 
natural and legal restrictions for development has already been developed. Recent development is using 
land with increasing slopes. Most areas with high ecological sensitivity are located above 800 meters asl. 
We recommend that current restrictions and law enforcement for development above this line be 
maintained or increased; and that drainages and riparian corridors and parks be protected in the whole 
county. The recently created Chipinque Ecological Park representing one fourth of the territory and the 
incorporation of additional protected areas will be important in maintaining quality of life as measured by 
environmental health. 
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