Rural territories in transition: navigating between challenges and opportunities

Abstract

Humans have interacted with nature for millennia, but we often exclude ourselves from ecosystems. This study on Palmillas, Tamaulipas, analyses the interaction challenges between rural communities and nature, especially in protected areas. A mixed qualitative and quantitative approach was used to identify tensions arising from the community's inclusion in the Monarch Butterfly Natural Reserve. Findings highlight stagnant population growth due to youth migration, increased pressure on natural resources, and the value of traditional knowledge. Although the Monarch Butterfly Natural Protected Area promotes conservation, it also imposes restrictions that affect the traditional activities of local communities