Biodiversity

Mexican Mangrove Forests See Significant Decline, Study Finds

A study in Plos One reveals a 1,817-hectare mangrove loss in northwest Mexico (2015-2020). Researchers used Google Earth Engine to analyze satellite imagery, finding losses concentrated in Sinaloa due to aquaculture and Hurricane Willa, while Baja California saw minimal change.

Mexicanist

Feb 6, 2025 — 2 min read

Hurricane Willa packed a punch, but aquaculture's steady nibble is also taking a toll on Mexico's mangroves.

A recent study published in the journal Plos One reveals a significant decline in mangrove coverage across northwest Mexico between 2015 and 2020. Researchers from the Institute of Marine Sciences and Limnology (ICMyL) of the UNAM and the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (Conabio) utilized Google Earth Engine to analyze satellite imagery, finding a net loss of approximately 1,817 hectares of mangrove forest.

This research, conducted by a team including Francisco Flores de Santiago and Francisco Javier Flores Verdugo of ICMyL, along with colleagues from Conabio, examined mangrove ecosystems in Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa, and Nayarit. The study leveraged files generated by the European Space Agency’s Sentinel II team, which provides updated imagery every five days. This high-frequency data, combined with Google Earth Engine’s processing capabilities, allowed for a detailed analysis of mangrove distribution.

A hurricane symbol next to an aquaculture farm, both contributing to mangrove deforestation.

Mexican Mangrove Forests See Significant Decline, Study Finds

A skeletal Day of the Dead figure tossing coins instead of flower petals.

The Engine of Mexico’s Economy: How Tacos, Festivals, and a Greased Pig Keep the Lights On

Mexico’s tacos, festivals and crafts aren’t just cultural gems—they fuel 2.9% of GDP (815B pesos) and 1.5M jobs. Heritage like Day of the Dead, rain rituals and artisanal crafts prop up the economy, proving tradition can be a financial powerhouse.

Photo of Popocatépetl emitting a plume of smoke and ash.

Don Goyo's Grumbles: Inside the Mind of Mexico's Restless Volcano

For 30 years, Popocatépetl (aka Don Goyo) has been erupting, baffling scientists who've studied it since before its 1994 reactivation. From mapping hazards to analyzing ash, their research has spanned decades, even involving a presidential briefing.

Split image shows car-clogged sprawl and a walkable neighborhood.

Rethinking Urban Spaces: How City Design Can Drive Sustainable Transport

Urban planning is key to sustainable transport, says UNAM expert Manuel Suárez Lastra. Compact cities with mixed-use zoning encourage walking and cycling, reducing reliance on cars and their carbon footprint.

Read more

Mexican Mangrove Forests See Significant Decline, Study Finds

The Engine of Mexico’s Economy: How Tacos, Festivals, and a Greased Pig Keep the Lights On

Don Goyo's Grumbles: Inside the Mind of Mexico's Restless Volcano

Rethinking Urban Spaces: How City Design Can Drive Sustainable Transport