Relationships between urban aquifers and preserved areas south of Mexico City

Canteiro, Marcelo; Olea-Olea, Selene; Escolero, Óscar; Zambrano, Luis

doi:10.1016/j.gsd.2018.12.007

Cited by 12 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Physicochemical parameters, concentrations of heavy metals and zooplankton and macroinvertebrate abundance were monitored randomly in all ponds for the 3 years before the start of this study and conditions were deemed appropriate for axolotls. The northernmost pond (P1) was excluded from this study because it drains to a shallow aquifer (Canteiro et al, 2019) through which axolotls could be lost.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The potential of temporary shelters to increase survival of the endangered Mexican axolotl

Ramos

Mena‐González

Zambrano

2021

Aquatic Conservation

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Amphibian populations worldwide are in decline. Proactive conservation techniques such as translocations into created and restored wetlands have gained popularity in recent years but may fail owing to high predation and low environmental adaptability. The Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum), affected by rapid urbanization, is now possibly extinct in the wild despite millions living in captivity throughout the world. The aim of this study was to explore whether ponds from an artificial wetland can function as temporary shelters for a viable population of axolotls that could be re‐introduced into their native ecosystem in Xochimilco once it is restored. Egg‐laying and hatching of 11 unique axolotl pairs placed into reproductive enclosures and larval survival to 7 weeks and up to 12 months were examined. Physicochemical and biological parameters were estimated and compared among ponds. The results from this study are encouraging as they suggest that two ponds have adequate conditions for axolotls to reproduce and for larvae and juveniles to survive.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The potential of temporary shelters to increase survival of the endangered Mexican axolotl

Ramos

Mena‐González

Zambrano

2021

Aquatic Conservation

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“…This ecosystem is relatively young and consequently there is very little soil formation (Estañol-Tecuatl and Cano-Santana, 2017), which has generated a highly diverse xerophytic shrubland community (see Annex 1; de Rzedowski and Rzedowski, 2001;Cano-Santana et al, 2008). This fractured rock landscape is important for ground-water recharge; almost all precipitation infiltrates to a shallow aquifer encompassing the southern part of the city (Canteiro et al, 2019).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Consequences of Landscape Fragmentation on Socio-Ecological Patterns in a Rapidly Developing Urban Area: A Case Study of the National Autonomous University of Mexico

Zambrano

Aronson

Fernández

2019

Front. Environ. Sci.

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Fragmentation of natural landscapes during urbanization processes has been well-linked to biodiversity loss and changes in ecological and ecosystem function. Fragmentation can also have profound effects on provision of ecosystem services and on human social dynamics and well-being within cities. The ways in which ecological, ecosystem service, and social factors and the interactions among these are affected by fragmentation is not well-studied. Understanding these relationships is particularly important in cities where high densities of human population create intense and dynamic interactions within green spaces. Using the rapidly developing campus of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City as a case study, we examine the effects of natural area fragmentation over time on ecosystem services, human well-being, and biodiversity. We compare fragmentation of the campus natural areas between 1954 and 2015 to non-native plant species distribution maps, models of water infiltration, and mobility and citizen-science data. We found that the loss and fragmentation of the campus's natural areas has had varied effects on ecosystem services, and negative effects on human well-being and biodiversity. The relationships between fragmentation and ecosystem services depends on the ecosystem service being measured; water infiltration was negatively impacted by fragmentation but engagement with biodiversity was greatest in areas with a mix of natural and urban land covers. Our human well-being variable, mobility (the average travel time within the campus of walkers, bicyclists, and cars), was negatively affected by fragmentation. Walkers and cyclists spent significantly more time traveling across campus in 2015 compared to 1954. Finally, the most fragmented areas of the campus's natural areas support large populations of invasive exotic species, indicating negative effects of fragmentation on biodiversity. Although campus urban development is necessary for supporting the academic community at this growing university, we suggest a renewed focus on sustainable campus development Zambrano et al. Managing Protected Urban Green Spaces in which land sparing in emphasized; connecting instructional, research, administrative, and other campus facilities within urban clusters and providing sustainable transport systems. Thus, eliminating further loss and fragmentation of the natural areas on campus, supporting both human well-being and the unique biodiversity of the region.

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“…They also serve as a buffer to floods that occur every summer rainy season in the basin, because the lavas soak up water. Despite the shortage of water resources in the basin and common interference of construction works in them, the aquifer in the Xitle lava is poorly studied and strongly impacted by anthropic pollution (Canteiro et al 2019). Its existence should be valued, and recognized as a means to increase the city's sustainability.…”

Section: Hydrogeology Water Resources and Flood Hazardsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Now they host the last natural areas and the country´s main university, providing multiple ecosystem services to the city (habitat provision for endemic plants and animals, mitigation of flooding and damage by earthquakes, source of building and ornamental stones, water filtration and storage, recreation, outdoor sport, culture, identity, science knowledge and education). The conservation of the open lava surface is particularly important for sustainability as its destruction through its coverage by cement, constructions or impermeable, exotic soils reduces drastically its capacity of infiltration, and hence preserving the original landforms is important for preserving water resources that may be fundamental in the future (Canteiro et al 2019;Zambrano et al 2019). In the UNAM campus alone, the cost of conserving open green areas with exotic tree species and lawn is very large in terms of water for irrigation, whereas the natural ecosystem sustains itself through the natural capacity of the lava to store water and the low requirements of water by endemic plants (Camarena-Berruecos 2010).…”

Section: Relevance For Nature Preservation Ecosystem Services and Sumentioning

confidence: 99%

Xitle Volcano Geoheritage, Mexico City: Raising Awareness of Natural Hazards and Environmental Sustainability in Active Volcanic Areas

et al. 2021

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The conservation of geosites in a region can foster its sustainability and develop geotourism. These geosites provide geoeducation, raise people's awareness on natural hazards and increase their resilience. Low-income cities located in tectonically active areas combine high geohazards with high vulnerability and low sustainability. Geosites in these cities should be a tool to decrease people's vulnerability and foster sustainable development. Mexico City is an ideal case study for its environmental and social issues and its setting in an active 2 continental volcanic arc. The 1,700 yrs-old Xitle volcano, located in the city's SW corner, is a small scoria cone that erupted once, feeding an extensive lava field on which >600,000 people now live. The lavas are very well exposed due to thin soils and extensive quarrying.The Xitle lavas covered the first urban center in the Mexico basin, except for the main pyramid that has become a major archeological site. The cone and lavas have significant geodiversity, sustaining a unique and biodiverse ecosystem. The country's largest university preserves the lavas in an ecological reserve. We describe four exceptional geosites, assess their values, and discuss their relevance for addressing issues such as nature preservation, environmental sustainability, social inequalities, and natural hazards. The Xitle volcano provides a wide range of benefits for the city that are nonetheless unknown to its inhabitants.We describe ongoing initiatives to disseminate such information, such as the Geopedregal site, and propose ways that this heritage could be further protected and used by the city in a sustainable way.

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Relationships between urban aquifers and preserved areas south of Mexico City

Cited by 12 publications

References 21 publications

The potential of temporary shelters to increase survival of the endangered Mexican axolotl

The potential of temporary shelters to increase survival of the endangered Mexican axolotl

The Consequences of Landscape Fragmentation on Socio-Ecological Patterns in a Rapidly Developing Urban Area: A Case Study of the National Autonomous University of Mexico

Xitle Volcano Geoheritage, Mexico City: Raising Awareness of Natural Hazards and Environmental Sustainability in Active Volcanic Areas

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