WHAT BENEFITS DOES MEXICO OBTAIN FROM ITS BIODIVERSITY? - ENVIRONMENT - 2024

The benefits that Mexico obtains due to its biodiversity are so outstanding that the protection and preservation of these areas are issues of vital importance. The biodiversity of a region is measured according to the quantity and variety of different ecosystems and species coexisting in harmony.

Mexico is one of the 10 megadiverse countries in the world thanks to the great variety of flora, fauna and climates that can be found in its territory. Despite representing only 1% of the earth's surface, Mexico protects 10% of the planet's plants and animals.

It is the nation that has the most variety of reptiles, ranks second in diversity of mammals and ecosystems, also occupying fourth place in variety of flora and amphibians.

In addition to housing 60% of the different existing plants and animals in its territory, Mexico is known worldwide for its endemic species.

Endemic species are those that are limited to one area and are not found in other contexts naturally. In Mexico, a significant part of its species are endemic and among them are the jaguar, the axolotl and the vaquita marina.

Benefits of biodiversity in Mexico

Biodiversity is not only a sign of the natural wealth of a country, as it also has other great benefits.

1- Ecological benefits of biodiversity in Mexico

Ecosystems are groups of living organisms that share a physical environment. These biological communities are divided into areas and the more varied they are, the greater the biodiversity of that region. Mexico is one of the countries with the greatest diversity of ecosystems in the world.

Meadow before the Pico de Orizaba in Mexico.

The diversity of climates in Mexico is so wide that almost all existing ecosystems are represented in the country.

With deserts, forests, jungles, scrublands, mangroves, grasslands and many others, the Mexican territory has almost all the ecosystems on earth, except the tundra and taiga, typical of the poles, and the endemic savanna of Africa.

This vast natural diversity is a great benefit to the ecological well-being of the country. The planet seems to have a way of self-regeneration, and both plants and animal species are protected by this biodiversity.

The purity of the water, the available oxygen and a natural balance are some of the benefits of such varied biological abundance.

In addition to the great variety of climates, about 35% of the Mexican territory is covered by forest, jungle or some type of vegetation.

This has benefits such as better water quality, erosion control, protection against pollutants and even resistance to some natural disasters.

2- Economic benefits of biodiversity in Mexico

A large part of the Mexican economy depends on its natural resources. Mexico is a huge exporter of raw materials and the states of the country with the highest forest density specialize in the production of wood derivatives.

The diversity of plant species is also noticeable in the kitchen. From Mexico, fruits and plants such as avocado, cocoa, jicama, vanilla and papaya are native.

The export of these foods as well as countless spices represent a significant blow to the country's economy.

Without a doubt, one of the main economic contributions to the nation is tourism. According to the country's statistics institute, 8.6% of Mexico's GDP comes from tourist activities.

Islas Mujeres, in Cancun

It has been among the 10 most visited countries for years, along with other nations such as France and the United States. Whether visiting its beaches, mountains, jungles, deserts, lakes or forests, national and international tourism will always have some activity in mind.

As a consequence, ecotourism has gained popularity in recent years, fostering the creation of nature reserves, as well as the preservation of this diversity of ecosystems.

Without a doubt, it is one of the most important benefits for biodiversity, curiously generated by tourism, thus complementing both activities for the economic and sustainable well-being of Mexico.

3- Cultural benefits of biodiversity in Mexico

Throughout time and the different cultures that have been formed on Mexican soil, there is no richer tradition than the cult of nature.

From the beginning, in Mexico animals have been venerated as deities, and the diversity of plants are part of myths and legends with great cultural weight.

God Cinteteo

Love and respect for biodiversity are part of indigenous traditions, and this in turn has great spiritual relevance.

Pre-Hispanic traditions revolved around the gods represented in the flora and fauna of the region, and there are also rites and ceremonies in honor of nature, since the importance of natural balance has been known since then.

Whether it is a source of food, work, housing and even inspiration, Mexican biodiversity is a vital part of the country's culture.

The knowledge and respect that the native populations entrusted to nature today can be seen reflected in legends, ancestral practices, natural medicine, indigenous languages ​​and traditional cuisine.

4- Protection of biodiversity in Mexico

Being part of the exclusive group of megadiverse countries that have a variety of climates, ecosystems and species, Mexico has the responsibility to take measures of ecological protection.

The creation of reserves, protected areas, awareness campaigns, the sustainable extraction of raw materials and the promotion of ecotourism are some of these measures.

In its policies, Mexico has sought to support the well-being of its diversity. This practice has been carried out with the creation of agencies, such as the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity, whose objective is to disseminate and educate about the country's natural resources.

Laws of great importance for biological preservation have also been implemented, such as the General Law on Climate Change and the Energy Transition Law, which seek to reduce the ecological footprint and thus safeguard Mexican biodiversity.

References

1. Mexican Biodiversity (sf) Cultural Wealth. National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity. Recovered from biodiversity.gob.
2. Burton, T. (2010) Mexico's Mega-biodiversity. Geo-Mexico. Recovered from geo-mexico.com.
3. CECADESU (2011) Types of ecosystems that exist in Mexico. The Ecological Day, 01 / Aug / 2011. Recovered from día.unam.mx.
4. Instituto de Ecología (2017) Why is it important for Mexico to maintain its biodiversity? Institute of Ecology. Recovered from inecol.mx.
5. Southern Portal (2015) Biodiversity in Mexico. Southern Portal. Recovered from southernportal.com.
6. TEEB (2017) The Importance of Biodiversity for Mexico. The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity. Recovered from teebweb.org.
7. Viva Natura (sf) Causes of Megadiversity in Mexico. Viva Natura Web. Recovered from vivanatura.org.
8. Viva Natura (sf) Principal Ecosystems in Mexico. Viva Natura Web. Recovered from vivanatura.org.