Mountain Wetlands in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas
Wetlands are unique ecosystems that play an important role as wildlife habitat and protect us from flooding and pollution. Despite their small footprint, wetlands perform important functions, such as providing fresh water and habitats for flora and fauna.
These wetlands are considered areas of communication and transition between terrestrial and aquatic systems and play a fundamental role in flood control. They are also important reservoirs of groundwater that the population uses through deep and superficial wells.
Mountain wetlands are located in the highest areas of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chiapas. These wetlands are very important because they act as water regulators, storing rainwater and releasing it gradually. Additionally, they are an important source of water for local communities and for agriculture. In San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, there are two of these wetlands, María Eugenia and La Kisst. These two wetlands are located within protected natural areas and belong to Ramsar sites.
What is a Ramsar Site?
A Ramsar site is a wetland designated as of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. The Convention on Wetlands, known as the Ramsar Convention, is an intergovernmental environmental treaty established in 1971 by UNESCO, which entered into force in 19754.
It provides the basis for national action and international cooperation with respect to the conservation of wetlands and the rational and sustainable use of their resources.
The La Kisst and María Eugenia mountain wetlands and their importance, recognized by the same state government, allow the recharge and filtration of water to the springs that supply 70% of the population of the Chiapas city. These ecosystems have been eliminated and degraded by invasions, irregular settlements and, especially, by the inaction of authorities at all levels.
Furthermore, these wetlands are the only place in the world where, until now, the presence of the popoyote or San Cristóbal scalefish (Profundulus hildebrandi) has been documented; They are habitat of species that are in some risk category
Other species at risk that are distributed in the Marìa Wetland are the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), three species of frogs (Lithobates berlandieri, Plectrohyla acanthodes, Craugastor glaucus), five species of reptiles, including the cold nauyaca snake (Cerrophidion tzotzilorum ); Among the birds, an endangered species of owl (Megascops barbarus) stands out, and among the mammals at risk are a bat (Myotis nigricans), two species of shrews (Sorex saussurei, S. veraepacis), the mouse Peromyscus zarhynchus and the flying squirrel ( Glaucomys volans)
The conservation of mountain wetlands in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, is of utmost importance for biodiversity, water balance and the life of local communities. Despite the challenges, it is crucial that action is taken to protect and restore these valuable ecosystems.