Download Ría Lagartos and Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserves, Mexico

RÍA LAGARTOS AND RÍA CELESTÚN BIOSPHERE RESERVES,
MEXICO
Total Area Protected
Ría Celestún:
Ría Lagartos:
200,895 acres (81,334 ha);
149,057 acres (60,347 ha)
Ecoregions Represented:
Mexican Mangroves, Yucatan Dry Forests,
Gulf of Mexico Biogeographic Region (marine)
Partner Organization:
Pronatura Peninsula de Yucatán, A.C. (PPY)
Reserva de la Biosfera Ría Celestún and Reserva de la Biosfera Ría
Lagartos – Comisión Nacional de Areas Naturales Protegidas, México
(CONANP)
Designated in 1979 by the Mexican federal government as Wildlife Refuges, Ría Lagartos and
Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserves are estuarine wetland protected areas located along the
northern coast of the state of Yucatan, bordering the Gulf of Mexico. This area has a rich array
of aquatic habitats of primary importance to migratory waterfowl and other wildlife, the most
conspicuous of which is the greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber). These Reserves
provide feeding and breeding habitat for the only mainland populations of these birds in all of
North America. The port of Celestún is the second largest fish producer in the state of Yucatán,
an industry that is dependent upon the Reserve’s estuaries for replenishment. Ría Lagartos is
the first Mexican wetland system to be inscribed in the RAMSAR list (based upon criteRía
adopted by the Cagliara convention in 1980) and thus recognized at the international level.
Ecological Significance
Ría Celestún:
The biological importance of this 200,895 acres (81,334 hectare) wetland site rests in the great
diversity of vegetation types in a relatively small area. Characteristic vegetation of the site
includes mangroves, petenes (hardwood hummocks), coastal dunes, savannas and flooded
lowland forest. The vegetation of the site is considered to be in excellent conservation status.
The reserve has a great diversity of fauna, particularly birds. There are 304 resident and
migratory bird species (Correa-Sandoval and García-Barrón, 1993), including coastal and marsh
birds such as herons, ducks and seagulls, and a rich array of migratory wading and shore birds
that migrate from the northern United States and Canada during the winter. The site is the
principal feeding ground in Mexico for the pink flamingo, with a population estimated to be
between 18,000 and 23,000 between the months of December and February. Among the
endangered species found at the site are the marine hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), the
jaguar (Panthera onca), ocelot (Felis pardalis), margay (Felis wiedii), spider monkey (Ateles
geoffroyi), marsh crocodile (Crocodylus moreleti) and the river crocodile (Crocodylus aacutus), as
well as rare species listed in the Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM). Ría Celestún being a principal
feeding and resting area for a number of migratory birds as well as the principal feeding
ground for the flamingo, attracts tourism, which is very important to the local economy.
The principal conservation targets at Ría Celestún are: coastal strip, coastal dunes, coastal
lagoons, mangroves, petenes, flooded lowland forests and grasslands, including their key
ecological processes.
Ría Lagartos:
This 149,057 acre (60,347 hectare) site has a great diversity of vegetation communities, including
medium tropical forest, semi-evergreen tropical forest, semi-deciduous tropical forest, low
deciduous thorn forest, flooded lowland forest, mangroves, coastal dune shrub and flooded
grasslands, among others. Compared to other continental areas with the same size, these
ecosystems contain a high diversity of flora and fauna. More than 520 species of flora, 333 bird
species (117 resident, 142 migratory and 14 resident-migratory), 95 reptile species are found at
the site. Four marine turtle species, two endangered by extinction, breed on the reserve’s
beaches: the hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), leatherback
(Dermochelys coreacea), and green turtle (Cheloneaia imydas). The site has registered more than 71
species of fish and 55 species of mammals, including endangered species such as the jaguar
(Panthera onca), ocelot (Felis pardalis) and the margay (Felis wiedii). The wetlands sustain the
largest number of nesting pairs (89 percent) of the greater flamingo in mainland North America,
and its beaches are known as one of the principal nesting sites for the hawksbill turtle
(Eretmochelys imbricata) in Mexico.
The principal conservation targets at Ría Lagartos are: coastal strip, coastal dunes, coastal
lagoons, mangroves, petenes, forests (medium, semi-evergreen, semi-deciduous and thorn
forest), flamingo nesting grounds and species such as the kuká palm (Pseudophoenix sargentii).
General characteristics:
Ecological processes such as the change in sea level, temperature or salinity and the influx of
freshwater are important in the dynamic and functioning of the reserves’ ecosystem. As a
primary producer and filter of nutrients and synthesizer of organic matter, the mangrove
system plays an important role in the coastal trophic chain. In addition, this ecosystem
exchanges matter and energy with neighboring ecosystems and is of vital importance for
fisheries in the region.
Socioeconomic context
The population in the Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve is distributed in two settlements,
Celestún with approximately 6,000 people, located in the state of Yucatan, and Isla Arena with
an estimated population of 1,000, located in the state of Campeche. There are four settlements
within the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, San Felipe, Río Lagartos, Las Coloradas and El
Cuyo, with 1,610, 2,844, 1,300, and 1,162 inhabitants respectively. During the octopus season
(mid August to mid December), the population at Celestún increases by one third due to
seasonal immigrants. While in Ría Celestún the main economic activities are fisheries,
subsistence salt extraction, and tourism, in Ría Lagartos production is based on fisheries,
tourism, cattle ranching, agriculture for self-sustenance, and salt extraction.
Partners
The Conservancy’s primary partners at Ría Celestún and Ría Lagartos are the nongovernmental organization, Pronatura Península de Yucatán (PPY) and the Ría Celestún and
Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve Management through the National Commission for Natural
Protected Areas (CONANP). PPY was formed in 1987 and has grown to become one of the
leading conservation organizations in Mexico dedicated to biodiversity conservation. Since
1991, PPY has supported on-site protection and implemented important conservation programs
in Ría Celestún and Ría Lagartos.
Threats
The principal impacts and threats facing Ría Lagartos are the loss of vegetation and habitat
fragmentation caused by poorly planned cattle ranching and the expansion of salt mining, loss
of aquatic species due to overfishing, and pollution caused by ranching practices and
inadequate waste management. At Celestún, vegetation loss caused by poorly planned
development that responds to an increasing population, the loss of aquatic species due to
overfishing, altered ground-water flows and salinity caused by the poorly planned construction
of highways and bridges, and pollution caused by inadequate waste management and the lack
of sanitary facilities in urban areas, are the major threats to the health of the wetland system.
Local communities are growing, mainly due to inland migrations, and putting a strain on the
available resource base. Tourism is thriving at Ría Celestún and, on a smaller scale, at Ría
Lagartos.
Principal Threats Affecting Biodiversity in the Site
Date of initial threats analysis for site:
September 1997
Date of most recent update:
September 1997
Source of threats analysis presented below:
Andrade H.M. 1997. Threats Analysis,
Pronatura Peninsula de Yucatan, A.C., for both reserves.
Participants in analysis presented below:
Participants in the Ría Celestún Threats Analysis
Coordination: María Andrade, Pronatura Península de Yucatán, A. C.
Dr. Rafael Durán
Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán (CICY)
Dr. Jorge Herrera
Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Avanzados del
I.P.N. U. Mérida (CINVESTAV)
MC. Gustavo de la Cruz A.
CICIMAR, La Paz Baja California Sur.
Joe Keenan
The Nature Conservancy
Jennifer Shopland
The Nature Conservancy
Shelley Silbert
The Nature Conservancy
Dr. Rodrigo Migoya
Pronatura Península de Yucatán, A. C. (Fauna silvestre)
MC. José Luis Cabrera
Pronatura Península de Yucatán, A. C. (Pesquerías)
Biol. Mauro Berlanga
Pronatura Península de Yucatán, A. C. (Ornitología)
Biol. Emma Miranda
Pronatura Península de Yucatán, A. C. (Tortugas
Marinas)
 Participants in the Ría Lagartos Threats Analysis
Coordination: María Andrade, Pronatura Península de Yucatán, A. C.
Dr. Rafael Durán
Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán (CICY)
Dr. Jorge Herrera
Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Avanzados del
I.P.N. U. Mérida (CINVESTAV)
MC. Gustavo de la Cruz A.
CICIMAR, La Paz Baja California Sur.
Joe Keenan
The Nature Conservancy
Jennifer Shopland
The Nature Conservancy
Shelley Silbert
The Nature Conservancy
Biol. Ramiro Rubio
Reserva de la Biósfera Ría Lagartos (I.N.E.)
Biol. Juan Carlos Chab
Reserva de la Biósfera Ría Lagartos (I.N.E.)
Biol. Fabiola Contreras
Reserva de la Biósfera Ría Lagartos (I.N.E.)
Biol. Francisco Cervera
Reserva de la Biósfera Ría Lagartos (I.N.E.)
Biol. Felipe Be Estrella
Reserva de la Biósfera Ría Lagartos (I.N.E.)
Scheduled future update(s):
FY 2000
The major threats at the site
Target/
System/
Resource
Coastal dunes
Mangrove
Forest
Coastal lagoons
Coastal strip
Threats:
1st Line: Impact/Stress
-2nd etc: Sources of
Stresses
Stress: Vegetation loss
-Source: Extensive and
poorly planned ranching
activities
- Source: Poorly planned
urban development and
growth.
Stress: Aquatic species
loss.
- Source: Use of nonregulated equipment.
Rank
Site/Partner Strategy


H
H


H

H


H



- Source: Increase in
numbers of fishermen
H

- Source: Lack of
alternative productive
activities for fishermen.
M

Environmental policy.
Municipal development
plan.
Ecological land use zoning.
Alternative productive
projects with local
communities.
Municipal development
plan.
Ecological land use zoning.
Inventory of fishing
activities.
Research and monitoring.
Disseminate information to
all resource users.
Economic valuation of
natural resources and
environmental services.
Alternative productive
projects with local
communities.
Strengthen coordination
between decision makers,
researchers and resource
users.

Mangrove
River
Stress: Alteration in water
flows.
H

H


Coastal dunes
Mangrove
- Source: Poorly planned
construction of highways
and bridges.
Stress: Organic matter and
solid waste contamination.
H


- Source: Inadequate waste
management which leaves
fecal matter exposed.
H


Identify and implement lowimpact alternative activities
to fishing.
Policy work with federal and
state government.
Evaluation and monitoring.
Policy work with federal and
state government.
Evaluation and monitoring.
Policy work with federal,
state and municipal
government.
Identification of alternative
methods for management
and recycling of waste.
Environmental education
and sharing of research
results.
VH = very high, H =high, M = Medium, L = low
Conservation Strategy at the Site
 The Parks in Peril (PiP) project was an important starting point to initiate management
activities in both reserves, focusing on procuring field, communications and computer
equipment; channeling resources for basic research; completing a threats analysis,
monitoring programs, and land tenure updates; developing financing strategies and
building the capacity of both reserve and PPY staff to carry out site conservation activities.
 The support and information generated as a result of the PiP program have been
fundamental to the identification and development of a management strategy for both
reserves. The threats analysis has been one of the critical tools for designing a strategy for
Ría Lagartos and has been the cornerstone for the Ría Celestún strategy. The information
generated was used in both of the Reserves’ management plans. In particular, the PiP
consolidation products were fundamental to the development of the Ría Celestún
Management Plan, and have contributed to the channeling of research efforts and forging
strategic alliances with research institutes and universities.
 Pronatura’s conservation strategy for conservation on the coastal region, which includes
both Ría Celestún and Ría Lagartos, is based on a site diagnostic (problems and
opportunities). The strategy is based on the following aspects: a) Economic aspects,
including the principal economic activities of fisheries, tourism and salt extraction, b)
Political-administrative aspects, such as the fact that Ría Celestún does not have a
management plan approved by the CONANP yet, and c) Social aspects, based on the
population dynamics of the communities.
 At the end of 1999, Ría Lagartos published its management plan, with a five-year
conservation strategy (1998-2002) based on an analysis of political, economic, social,
historical and biological factors. In order to address the area’s conservation needs, the
management plan identifies specific strategies in the following five different program
components: conservation, social development, scientific research and environmental
monitoring, legal framework, and administration. (information from Instituto Nacional de
Ecología,(1999). Programa de Manejo de la Reserva de la Biosfera Ría Lagartos, Mexico. México,
D.F., México). During 2000, Ría Celestún completed a five-year management plan draft that
is currently under revision. This plan identifies strategies in the following 6 program
components: conservation, research and monitoring, management and sustainable resource
use, public use and recreation, administration and legal framework.
 One of the Conservancy’s conservation strategies in Mexico is to establish a number of
Platform Sites that will serve as a mechanism for increasing the depth and coverage of
conservation efforts. The Ría Lagartos and Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserves will be Network
Sites, linked to the Sian Ka’an Platform Site for the Yucatan Peninsula’s Coasts, to share
experiences in coastal and marine protection and management. At Ría Celestún and Ría
Lagartos, within the context of the Sian Ka’an Platform site, the Conservancy and its
partners will focus on the following strategies to conserve the wetlands, coastal dunes and
reef systems critical to the long term viability of the biodiversity of the Yucatan Peninsula’s
coasts:
 Develop a Coastal management and conservation model to conserve biologically
significant lands and waters
Objectives:
 Complete a sound site conservation plan for the Quintana Roo and Yucatan coasts
 Initiate a private lands protection strategy for the Sian Ka’an Reserve and surrounding
coastal corridors
 Support a threats based community conservation program, focusing on ecotourism in
coastal communities and forestry management in forest corridors
 Initiate analysis of freshwater and marine aquatics threats and abatement strategies
 Establish key measures of success and conservation monitoring programs
 Promote the establishment of long term financing and key conservation policies
Objectives:
 Support the replication of the coastal conservation model through the promotion of
appropRíate policies and the application of regulations.
 Establish linkages with regional planning and financing initiatives from public, bilateral
and multilateral sources
 Build Conservation capacity
Objectives:
 Establish Learning and Exchange programs between the Platform Site and Network
sites, while providing targeted and limited assistance to site based programs at Network
Sites
 Strengthen partner conservation capacities through institutional development
 Develop private lands conservation capacities through a local private organization
 Create a regional conservation coalition and broad institutional network, using
communication and education programs as key tools