Tropical dry forests (TDFs) have experienced rapid deterioration in the state of Michoacán, Mexico, mainly due to the opening up of these areas for grazing and rain-fed agriculture. The aim of this study was to analyze the loss of TDFs in the municipality of Carácuaro, Mich., from 2004-2012, using two SPOT images (10m). The images were pre-processed and an unsupervised classification of 20 classes was performed; the average Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) of each class was calculated. The classes were regrouped, based on NDVI ranges, into three cover types: evergreen vegetation, deciduous vegetation (TDF) and soil. The classifications were validated (95.5 %) with 2000 px/coverage with SPOT panchromatic images (2.5m) for the same dates. The matrix and the map showing the changes were obtained. Changes occurred throughout the municipality, affecting 24.75 % of the total area. In the studied period, 18.73 % (13,926.59 ha) of the TDF area underwent some type of change: 14.3 % (10,665.13 ha) became soil, and the rest became evergreen vegetation (probably shrubs). On the other hand, 5,290.52 ha of soil were recovered as TDF, although they may have lost biodiversity.

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