• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

Conserving Cacti by Ariel Rojo and Eduardo Peters in México Some of the most attractive plants States. This ecoregion is considered one in the world are the cacti. These plants of the most biologically rich and diverse are associated mainly with deserts, deserts in the world, with 3,500 plant though they can also be found in species, many of them endemic. temperate forests and even in tropical zones. Their adaptations have caught the Threats attention of many naturalists and The cactus family is faced with scientists all around the world, and growing environmental threats, including collectors appreciate enormously the urban sprawl, expansion of the agricul- The boojum (Fouquieria columnaris) great variety in their forms and flowers. tural frontier, introduction of exotic has an appearance that fires the The family Cactaceae, endemic to the species, overgrazing by cattle, uncon- imagination. For most of the year it is Western Hemisphere, contains about trolled tourism, and poaching driven by leafless and looks like a giant 1,800 species. Although its origins may the demand of exotic plant markets. All upturned carrot. Its common name be in the Caribbean, diversification of of these threats are particularly harmful was coined by the explorer Godfrey cactus taxa has reached a peak in to cactus species because many of them Sykes, who found it in 1922 and said “It must be a boojum!” He was México, where 48 genera (73 percent have small populations, making them referring of the strange and mythical endemic) and 850 species (85 percent very vulnerable to extinction. Many of creature that the author Lewis Carroll endemic) are found. the genera are included on CITES called a boojum in his children’s One of the most amazing places (Convention on International Trade in book, The Hunting of the Snark. The where cacti have diversified is in the Endangered Species) Appendix 1, and Spanish common name for this plant north of the country in the Chihuahuan the entire family is on Appendix 2. Also, is cirio, referring to its candle-like Desert, the largest desert in North 34 percent of the species are included in appearance. It is not a cactus but a stem succulent. America, of which 80 percent is in the Plant Red List from IUCN (Interna- Photo by Michael Bender México and 20 percent is in the United tional Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources). The IUCN includes 286 species and the Méxican Government includes 257 species in the NOM-ECOL-059 (México’s endangered species law). Conservation This risky situation has prompted conservation actions at the federal, state, and local levels. Perhaps the most favorable action was the recognition of Natural Protected Areas, of which many exist in México. Along the México-U.S. border, the Pinacate and Altar Desert Biosphere Reserve, a marvelous volcanic region adjacent to Arizona, and the Cañon de Santa Elena in Chihuahua and Maderas del Carmen in Coahuila, both of them in neighboring Texas, are desig- nated as Flora and Fauna Protection 10 ENDANGERED SPECIES BULLETIN MAY/JUNE 2003 VOLUME XXVIII NO. 3 Areas. Within interior regions we can Uses find some other examples of protected Because of their unusual morphology areas with cacti relevance: the Vizcaíno and their attractive flowers, cacti are very Biosphere Reserve in Baja California Sur; attractive and many species have been the Colorado River Delta and Upper Gulf commercialized intensively. In addition of California; and the Valley of the to their ornamental value, species have Cirios, one of the best-conserved natural other uses, depending on places and treasures on Earth (with one of the most cultures. Based on archaeological fascinating plants in the world, the Cirio evidence–fossilized feces–it has been or Boojum Tree) in Baja California. Near shown that cacti were consumed by México City, the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán humans at least 9,000 years ago. Even Biosphere Reserve in the states of Puebla today, people use them as food in a and Oaxaca contains a great diversity of great variety of dishes and presentations, columnar cacti. for forage and fodder, as construction These actions seem to be the best material to build fences, for medicinal Species in the cactus genus approach because they encourage in- purposes, and even in religious rituals. Ariocarpus are often called “living situ conservation. However, they do not There are some very specific uses for rocks” for their inconspicuous appearance. Most are endemic to include all the places a conservationist cacti. For instance, the Aztecs prized the México, but A. fissuratus (above) would like, and many endangered rich red color extracted from the dried extends northward from México into species do not inhabit these protected bodies of insects that were raised on parts of southwestern Texas. regions. Therefore, the Méxican govern- cladodes (leaf-like branches) of many Photo by Michael Bender ment has been promoting, since about species of prickly-pear cacti. The five years ago, the System of Units for cochineal dye of the Aztecs became Conservation and Management of highly prized in Europe. In the sixteenth Wildlife, known as UMAs. These units century, Cortés was instructed to send as intend to revalue the wildlife–mainly its much of the pigment as possible back to use, management, and sustainable Spain. appropriation of the resources. They are based on a management plan that Future incorporates activities such as censuses In México, there is an increasing need of the populations and demographic to take urgent actions to protect cacti research about particular species. The and their environments. Federal and underlying idea is to conserve the state governments, research institutions, natural habitat and, at the same time, conservation groups, conscientious obtain some rewards from doing it. This private-sector leaders, and ecotourism scheme operates very well with regard operators have been contributing to to creating opportunities for hunting growing appreciation of the environment mule deer, turkeys, pigeons, and other and recognizing the need for concrete game. The UMAs are focused on ani- conservation action. The challenge is to mals, but as an added value they concentrate these efforts into real, long- conserve cacti and other species. By the standing sustainability. year 2000, the UMAs strategy had incorporated almost 3,200 units that Ariel Rojo and Eduardo Peters are represent about 28 million acres with the Instituto Nacional de Ecologia, (11,330,000 ha), mainly in the north of México, which has the mission of generat- the country. ing technical and scientific information Hopefully, the increasing conservation about environmental problems, provid- efforts will be able to withstand the ing human resources training, providing environmental degradation that the information, supporting decision deserts in México have been suffering, making, encouraging environmental and reduce the threats to their long-term protection, and promoting the sustain- sustainability. able use of natural resources. ENDANGERED SPECIES BULLETIN MAY/JUNE 2003 VOLUME XXVIII NO. 3 11.

Load more

  2

Copy Link