Threats, conservation actions, and research within 78 Mexican non-coastal protected wetlands

Abstract

We reviewed scientific literature and internet sources related to types of threats, conservation actions, and focus of research implemented in 78 Mexican non-coastal wetlands. These sites have been established as Natural Protected Areas, Ramsar Sites, and/or Important Bird Areas, and thus hold the highest priority for wetland conservation in Mexico. According to the information obtained, the main threats within these sites included “agriculture and aquaculture”, “biological resource use”, and “pollution”. The most commonly reported conservation action was “education and awareness”, and the least frequent were “law and policy”, as well as “livelihood, economic, and other incentives”. The most popular research focus was “site description”, whereas the least frequent were “conservation”, and “impacts”. These results suggest that both management and research fail at addressing existing threats within most sites. Our study is useful for identification of information gaps, and conservation priorities that should be set within these sites according to available information.