Is Mexico protecting

Edgar Torres García

it’s biodiversity?
School of Biological Sciences
University of East Anglia Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK
e.torres-garcia@uea.ac.uk

MEGA-DIVERSE COUNTRY EX-SITU CONSERVATION

As a mega-diverse country, Mexico is home of 12% of Mexico has 51 Botanical gardens, which carry out
world biodiversity; with more than 25,000 species of programmes of research, education, conservation and
plants, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians is classification; there are conserved 2,426 plant species,
situated in the top five of countries with the greatest of which 417 are enlisted as threatened species.
amount of species1. Besides, Mexico established the National Center of
Genetic Resources as an strategy for safeguard food
LOSING BIODIVERSITY and environmental security (Figure 3).
Habitat lost and extraction are the factors with the biggest Figure 3. National Center of Genetic Resources: “Preservation of Mexico’s genetic wealth
impact over wild life; per year, 155,000 ha of forest are for present and future generations”
lost and approximately 75,000 wild specimens are
extracted from their habitat (Graph 1). Some wild species
such as the red macaw is sold up to USD 2,000 in the
USA and Europe black market.

Source: www.inifap.gob.mx

REAL EFFECTIVENESS
NPA’s, ex situ conservation, Species at risk conservation
Graph 1. importations and exportations of live specimens of wild flora and fauna in Mexico program and the Forest law have had a favourable
Source: www.gob.mx/semarnat

Overexploitation has had a huge impact in marine impact: loss of forest is less every year (Graph 2),
ecosystems, 86.6% of marine management units (tool for reintroduction of species such as American bison,
ordering the appropriation of biodiversity) are in their Mexican grey wolf and California condor are examples of
higher level of exploitation, placing 16 species as the compromise of the country with biodiversity
endangered. In general, at least 181 species of plants, conservation.
birds and mammals are now extinct.
PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY Source: www.bioenciplopedia.com

In order to protect the biodiversity Mexico has established

NPA’s, which encompass 9.85% of national territory
(253,879 km2) (Figure 1). Source: www.reconecta.com Source: www.fws.com

Figure 1. Natural Protected Areas in Mexico for conservation, sustainable use and
restoration of natural resources

Graph 2. Evolution of deforestation in Mexico, annual hectares

PROSPECTION
Rigorous application of law, environmental education and
incorporation of policies are urgently needed in order to
contribute more with the conservation of biodiversity;
Source: www.en-vivo.mx
work is on the way but a greater engagement will ensure
a better long-term sustainable use and conservation.

REFERENCES
-Bezaury-Creel, J., D. Gutiérrez Carbonell et al. 2009. Áreas naturales protegidas y desarrollo social en México, en Capital natural de México, vol. II: Estado de conservación y tendencias de cambio. Conabio, México, pp. 385-431.f
-Lascuráin, M., et al. 2009. Conservación de especies ex situ, en Capital natural de México, vol. II: Estado de conservación y tendencias de cambio. Conabio, México, pp. 517-544
-Medellín, R.A., et al. 2009. Conservación de especies migratorias y poblaciones transfronterizas, en Capital natural de México, vol. II: Estado de conservación y tendencias de cambio. Conabio, México, pp. 459-515.
-Naranjo, E.J., R. Dirzo et al. 2009. Impacto de los factores antropogénicos de afectación directa a las poblaciones silvestres de flora y fauna, en Capital natural de México, vol. II: Estado de conservación y tendencias de cambio. Conabio, México, pp.
247-276.
-Baena, M.L., G. Halffter et al. 2008. Extinción de especies, en Capital natural de México, vol. I: Conocimiento actual de la biodiversidad. Conabio, México, pp. 263-282.
-Chapela F. 2012. Estado de los bosques de México. Consejo civil mexicano para la silvicultura sostenible A. C.
-Sarukhán, J., et al. 2012. Capital natural de México: Acciones estratégicas para su valoración, preservación y recuperación. comisión nacional para el conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad, México.
-Carabias, Julia, et al. (coords.), 2010. Patrimonio natural de México. Cien casos de éxito. México, Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad.
-National Comission of Natural Protected Areas. 2016. Biosphere reserve El Vizcaíno. CONANP. Retreived from http://elvizcaino.conanp.gob.mx/. 01/12/2016.
-National Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Research. 2016. National Center of Generic Resources. INIFAP. Retreived from http://www.inifap.gob.mx/SitePages/centros/cnrg.aspx. 01/12/2016.