97
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
S. Lucatello et al. (eds.), Stewardship of Future Drylands and Climate
Change in the Global South, Springer Climate,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22464-6_6
Chapter 6
Forced Modernization in Drylands:
Socio- Ecological System Disruption
in the Altiplano of San Luis Potosí, Mexico
L. Ortega and J. Morán
Abstract The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
recognizes desertification as a serious global problem in arid and semi-arid zones. It
is necessary to conduct research on, and inform stakeholders of, the processes
related to the degradation of these drylands before it is too late. The purpose of this
chapter is to describe some threats caused by disruptive socio-ecological system and
landscape transformations in the drylands of San Luis Potosí (SLP), a state in northcentral Mexico. This is due to a process of forced modernization, which crystallizes
from a vision aimed at increasing productivity through the incorporation of disruptive technologies and overproduction of renewable energies. The problem of this
modernization model is that it disregards the integrity and functions of the socioecological system itself. In the case of the central plateau of SLP, known as the
“altiplano,” the state government and transnational entrepreneurs appear to view the
issue of modernization through the logic of bringing progress and development to a
space that they view as otherwise empty, unoccupied, and with low economic value.
Therefore, implementation of projects is promoted, aiming to turn these “empty
spaces” into productive areas, but also culturally and ecologically decontextualizing
the traditional livelihoods of these drylands.
Keywords Drylands · Socio-ecological system · Disruptive technologies ·
Renewable energies
Introduction
According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
desertification is the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid, and sub-humid areas,
known as drylands, as a result of complex interactions between physical, biological,
political, social, cultural, and economic factors. The impact these areas undergo is
L. Ortega (*) · J. Morán
El Colegio de San Luis, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
e-mail: laura.ortega@colsan.edu.mx
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
S. Lucatello et al. (eds.), Stewardship of Future Drylands and Climate
Change in the Global South, Springer Climate,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22464-6_6
Chapter 6
Forced Modernization in Drylands:
Socio- Ecological System Disruption
in the Altiplano of San Luis Potosí, Mexico
L. Ortega and J. Morán
Abstract The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
recognizes desertification as a serious global problem in arid and semi-arid zones. It
is necessary to conduct research on, and inform stakeholders of, the processes
related to the degradation of these drylands before it is too late. The purpose of this
chapter is to describe some threats caused by disruptive socio-ecological system and
landscape transformations in the drylands of San Luis Potosí (SLP), a state in northcentral Mexico. This is due to a process of forced modernization, which crystallizes
from a vision aimed at increasing productivity through the incorporation of disruptive technologies and overproduction of renewable energies. The problem of this
modernization model is that it disregards the integrity and functions of the socioecological system itself. In the case of the central plateau of SLP, known as the
“altiplano,” the state government and transnational entrepreneurs appear to view the
issue of modernization through the logic of bringing progress and development to a
space that they view as otherwise empty, unoccupied, and with low economic value.
Therefore, implementation of projects is promoted, aiming to turn these “empty
spaces” into productive areas, but also culturally and ecologically decontextualizing
the traditional livelihoods of these drylands.
Keywords Drylands · Socio-ecological system · Disruptive technologies ·
Renewable energies
Introduction
According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
desertification is the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid, and sub-humid areas,
known as drylands, as a result of complex interactions between physical, biological,
political, social, cultural, and economic factors. The impact these areas undergo is
L. Ortega (*) · J. Morán
El Colegio de San Luis, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
e-mail: laura.ortega@colsan.edu.mx