Ecosystems and Sustainability

INTEGRATIVE ACTIVITY – stage 4

”Ecosystems and sustainability” UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA DE NUEVO LEÓN Preparatoria No. 9 Group 120 Dr. Graciela Rodríguez Natalia Daenna González Viera Luis Roberto González Guajardo Emilia Hernández Galván Jorge Adrián Gutiérrez García

INTRODUCTION In this slides we are going to show why Mexico is a biodiverse country and its ranking position with the other mega-diverse countries; what are the benefits that we can obtain from Mexico thanks to its biodiversity. The animals and plants that we can find endangered in Mexico and also the protected areas and how to help to preserve all of them.

Why Mexico is considered as mega-diverse country?

– Mexico is a country rich in wildlife and makes up about 10 percent of the species living in the world; at least half of these are endemic. Throughout the country, we can find over 200000 species. – Mexico is considered a "mega-diverse" country and as such forms part of a select group of nations that possess the greatest number and diversity of animals and plants; nearly 70% of global species diversity.

Mexico is one of three mega-diverse countries (along with the United States and Colombia) with coastlines on the Atlantic and the Pacific.

¿Which benefits obtains Mexico from its biodiversity? – Mexico obtain medicinal and pharmaceuticals resources, breeding stocks, population reservoirs, wood products, food for humans and for cultivated animals, tourism, ornamental plants and animals, some cultural values, the research and monitoring of this species, etc. The ecosystems services that Mexico obtain are the water resources, the nutrient storage and cycling, the soil formation and protection, a contribution to the climate stability, and the maintenance of the ecosystems. All of those benefits also are benefits to the economy of the country, for example the tourism.

ENDANGERED ANIMALS & PLANTS IN MEXICO

Animals – Axolotls

– Jaguar

– Socorro dove

– Anteater

– Black bear

– Loggerhead turtle

– Armadillo

– Volcano rabbit

– American crocodile

– Spider monkey

– Tapir

– Monarch butterfly

– Howler monkey

– Vaquita

– Golden eagle

– Ocelot

– Manatee

– Gray whale

– Mexican wolf

– Red macaw

– Prairie dog

– Green macaw

Plants – Agave titanota – Pinus lindsayi maximartinezii – Tillandsia – Zea diploperennis – Lophophora chiapensis diffusa – Mammillaria – Ferocactus mathildae – Sedum frutescens

– Mammillaria histrix guerreronis – Alcachofa – Pterocerus cactus gaumeri

– Selaginella porhyrospora – Echinocereus

PROTECTED AREAS IN MEXICO

Mexico possesses areas that concentrate and enhance the biodiversity of its landscapes, where one can get together once again with nature and its complex ecosystems.

They are the natural protected areas that throughout the country portray the pure essence of the natural beauty it possesses – man’s shelter.

Thick jungles, deserts that seem to be endless, extensive forests and vast seas are a surprising scene of the Mexican natural environments, ready to be explored by visitors.

Sumidero Canyon National Park, Chiapas – This natural preserve, named a protected area in 1980, stretches almost 19 miles and it is open to the public. Its main attraction is the enormous canyon with vertical walls that go up about 2,700 feet.

– Where is it located?

Between the municipalities of Chiapa de Corzo, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Nuevo Usumacinta and San Fernando in the state of Chiapas. To get here, you can take the highway that comes from Tuxtla Gutierrez all the way to the canyon’s viewpoint; or you can also get on a boat in Chiapa de Corzo, and besides taking you to the site, it will let you enjoy the journey through the Grijalva River.

Agua Azul Waterfalls Protected Area, Chiapas – The bluish Agua Azul waterfalls originate from the affluent of the Shumulja, Otulun and Tulija Rivers, and they are another internationally protected natural preserve.

– With about 6,400 acres, this place welcomes visitors interested in admiring the thick, mountain jungle vegetation.

– Where is it located?

The municipality of Tumbala, in the northern part of the state of Chiapas, is home to these marvelous waters located 40 miles from the city of Palanque.

One option to get here is to take highway 199 from Palenque towards Ocosingo, Chiapas

Palenque National Park, Chiapas – This pre-Hispanic site is part of the Maya Route, and it was named a World Heritage Site in 1987.

– Where is it located?

Located on the northeastern part of Chiapas, in the municipality of Palenque, this park is close to the Usumacinta River.

– One option to reach this archeological site, which is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., is to take highway 199 from Tuxtla Gutierrez. Another route available is highway 186 from Villahermosa towards Escarcega, taking the Palenque exit on kilometer 23; the approximate driving time is two hours.

Veracruz Reef System National Park, Veracruz – With a total of 17 reefs, this region possesses great ecological and historical richness, and it is divided into two areas: one on the port of Veracruz, and the other one in front of Anton Lizardo Point. – Where is it located?

In the municipalities of Boca del Rio and Alvarado in the state of Veracruz.

Getting here is quite easy from the port of Veracruz, where there are boats that can take you to the site.

Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Preserve, Veracruz – Unique landscapes of evergreen jungle surround this natural area, protected since 1998, that expands over 383,000 acres.

– Where is it located?

Between the municipalities of Catemaco, Mecayapan, Pajapan, San Andres Tuxtla, Santiago Tuxtla, Soteapan, Angel R. Cabada, Hueyapan and Tatahuicapan in Veracruz –

Cofre de Perote National Park, Veracruz – It is a protected ecosystem with abundant pine and sacred fir forests, part of the Cofre de Perote volcanic range, and it provides an option to explore a section of the Veracruz Sierra Mountains. – Where is it located?

Between the municipalities of Xico (now a Magic Town), Acajete and Ayahualulco in the state of Veracruz. Coming from Xalapa, Perote is located 27 miles away through the federal highway.

El Vizcaino Desert Biosphere Preserve, Baja California Sur – Named a Biosphere Preserve in 1988, this area of 6,300,000 acres offers the contrasting view of deserts, mangrove swamps and lagoons. – Where is it located?

In the northwestern region of the municipality of Mulege; it also crosses other towns, such as Santa Rosalia and Guerrero Negro. One can get here through the Transpeninsular Highway 1. The starting points might be Loreto in the south and Tijuana in the north.

Loreto National Park, Baja California Sur – Named a protected area in 1996, it keeps the secrets of the Sea of Cortes, zealously protected by dolphins, sea lions and devil rays that in exchange for not revealing these secrets, offer an unmatched show. – Where is it located?

In the region known as Loreto Bay, made up of a group of islands in the northeastern part of Baja California Sur, about 220 miles north of La Paz. One can reach the area from Loreto, which offers and airport, Muelege and Tijuana.

Upper Gulf of California and Colorado River Delta Biosphere Preserve, Sonora – Unique landscapes and animal species provide this region the opportunity to amaze its visitors with treasures that can only be found in this area, washed by the Gulf of California waters.

– Where is it located?

Between the states of Sonora and Baja California. It goes through municipalities such as Puerto Peñasco and San Luis Rio Colorado in Sonora; and Mexicali in Baja California.

Huatulco Bays National Park, Oaxaca – Named a protected natural area in 1998, it contributes to the conservation of the natural and cultural richness of Oaxaca’s southern coast. Its attractions consist of jungle landscapes and fine-sand beaches.

– Where is it located?

In Oaxaca’s central coast, a region called Huatulco Bay, in the municipality of Santa Maria Huatulco. One can reach this area through Huatulco’s airport; or on the ground from the Oaxaca-Puerto Angel highway.

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Nevado de Colima National Park – This region’s beauty has been a protected area since 1936, and it is contrasted against the height of its volcanoes, the Colima Volcano and the Nevado de Colima. Camping here will be an unforgettable reunion with the wildlife.

– Where is it located?

Along the borderline of the states of Jalisco and Colima. Its extension reaches the municipalities of Zapotitlan de Vadillo, Tuxpan and Tonila in Jalisco; and Cuauhtemoc and Comala in Colima.

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Cacahuamilpa Caverns National Park, Guerrero – Named a national park in 1936, it is one of the ideal locations for speleology lovers. It implicates an amazing journey to the depths of the Earth as you enter its caverns 100 to 135 feet deep. – Where is it located?

Between the states of Guerrero and Morelos. It is only a few minutes away from Taxco de Alarcon. Other nearby municipalities are Pilcaya and Tetipac in Guerrero; and Coatlan del Rio in Morelos.

Sian Ka’an Biosphere Preserve, Quintana Roo – Surrounded by jungles, lagoons, virgin vegetation, reefs and swamps, this natural protected area’s name derives from the Mayan language phrase that means “heaven’s port” or “place where heaven arises”.

– Where is it located?

In the Caribbean coast of the state of Quintana Roo, between the municipalities of Felipe Carrillo Puerto and Tulum. The easiest way to get to Sian Ka’an is arriving at Cancun’s airport and then taking the highway towards Tulum, traveling about 85 miles to reach this natural diamond that is sparsely visited throughout the year.

Kinds of use given to ecosystems that don’t affect them – Research, education, individual action, and public policy all have important roles to play in protecting biodiversity. That means there's a lot you, personally, can do to preserve species and ecosystems - whoever you may be, and wherever you may live! This content is provided by the California Academy of Sciences. – In order to achieve biodiversity targets, changes in policies affecting natural resources must be shown to be beneficial to human well-being through the enhanced flow of ecosystem services. Investments must also be prioritised and made cost-effective based on a sound knowledge base and reliable assessment methods.

How can you help to protect ecosystems? – Improving its awareness of biodiversity issues and continually reviewing its impact and dependence on these ecosystems (identifying key sites in priority areas with regard to biodiversity, along with the development of tools designed to provide biodiversity assessments). – Taking steps to preserve biodiversity and promote ecosystem services by improving processes, reducing the impact of facilities, developing environmental engineering solutions, and contributing to conservation projects in partnership with local stakeholders through the Veolia Foundation. –

Providing information, training and awareness-raising initiatives on biodiversity for employees and customers around the world.

CONCLUSION What we conclude about this activity is that Mexico has a big amount of diverse animal kinds so that’s why Mexico is called mega-diverse and the cause of its position in the most megadiverse countries of the world. All of Mexico’s biodiversity can be approached for us by good ways without affect. We also mentioned which ones are the animals and plants that we can classify as endangered. But at least we presented all the protected areas in Mexico so we have to start taking care of the preservation of the ecosystems because we are smart enough to know the consequences and the ways in which we can help them, so indirectly we are helping us too.