Implementation of the Ramsar strategic plan in coastal wetlands of the Península de Yucatán: regulations and normativity

Abstract

The way how Mexico applies the normative and other management strategies, regarding coastal wetland and wetlands birds conservation of the Península de Yucatán following the Ramsar Strategic Plan 2009- 2015 is analyzed. Regulatory criteria within Management Programs of Natural Protected Areas and Ecologic Ordinance Instruments were analyzed identifying strengths and weaknesses under an ecological integrity concept. Results show the need to homogenize the concept of integrity within regulation, to develop a hierarchical spatial structure for management strategies. It will: a) promotes connectivity, b) strength the perception of buffer zones and critical habitats, c) emphasize in the protection of biologic heterogeneity in space and time, ecological processes and trophic networks and, develop regulation about wetland restoration. We conclude that current normative framework is still very inefficient and a systemic vision is required to protect these ecosystems. Nine suggestions to improve the current scenario are included.

Recuperación de los balsares en los bordes costeros y su grado de valoración en el distrito de Huanchaco 2022

“…Para esto, es esencial comprender el proceso de implementación del ZEEC en los estados costeros en las últimas décadas y, como este instrumento, ser parte en el proceso de gestión costera integrada. Vidal, L. (2015), analiza la forma en que México aplica la normativa y otras estrategias de manejo, para la protección de los humedales costeros y aves de humedal de la Península de Yucatán según el Plan Estratégico Ramsar 2009-2015, específicamente en dos de sus estrategias. Se analiza los criterios de regulación de los Programas de Manejo de Áreas Naturales Protegidas y Ordenamientos Ecológicos Territoriales identificando los aspectos científicos robustos en los que se fundamentan, así como en sus deficiencias bajo el concepto de integridad ecológica.…”

Fiscal Economic Instruments for the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in Coastal Marine Areas of the Yucatan Peninsula

“…Regarding our second research question, do state expenditure budgets show differences between the three states of the YP in those critical areas of coastal regional development? It should be clarified that although the YP has an ecological corridor formed by coastal wetlands with high hydrological importance and essential habitats for bird conservation, it has not shown consistent management strategies that ensure their connectivity and ecological preservation, as was documented by Vidal et al [104] and despite 62% of the territory of the YP region being under the conservation status and their marine-coastal area forming part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor [105]. Federal budgets are allocated to each state according to their lobbying in the House of Representatives, and each state allocates its federal budget according to what is perceived as their own most pressing needs and environmental challenges, clearly coastal degradation is not one of them.…”