MAB-UNESCO Dení Rayn PhD Status Report
Ecosystem integrity and community participation related to water availability within and around Calakmul Biosphere Reserve
Prepared by Dení Rayn PhD 1
2009
1Contact details: [email protected]
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Front cover photo: Panoramic view of Calakmul Biosphere Reserve from Structure II in Calakmul archeological site (by Dení Rayn)
Table of contents Abstract...... 3 Intro………………………………………………………………………………..4 Study site…………………………………………………………………………..5 Vegetation…………………………………………………………………………7 Fauna………………………………………………………………………………10 Waterholes………………………………………………………………………...11 Socio-demographic and economic profile………………………………………12 Objectives………………………………………………………………………….13 Methods……………………………………………………………………………13 Results....…………………………………………………………………………...14 Conclusions and recommendations...... 35 Future work...... 37 References…………………………………………………………………………38 Annexes……………………………………………………………………………39
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ABSTRACT
Calakmul Region is part of the second largest area of tropical forests in North America, the Maya Forest. It was decreed as a reserve in 1989 . In 1993 the reserve was included in the international web of the programme "Man the Biosphere" of UNESCO. In Calakmul permanent water holes tend to be located in bigger numbers surrounding settlements ( ejidos ). As a result, individuals of species such as Tapir, White-lipped Peccary and Jaguar, must go outside the limits of the reserve to get water. We collected data already available from the reserve and academic institutions in order to be integrated; we monitored selected water holes within and adjacent to Calakmul Biosphere Reserve and visited adjacent ejidos to interview local people and to explore the possibility of community participation in proposals such as voluntary reserves. In all communities visited favorable conditions were found for the implementation of internal regulations that would allow to protect waterholes and fauna within the ejidos.
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Introduction
Due to the karstic nature of Yucatan´s peninsula, the soil gets saturated with water during rain season forming water holes or “aguadas” in the lower regions. During dry season these water holes are the main source of water to fauna (Aranda, 1990, Aranda,1994, Hernández- Huerta et al 2000, Naranjo, 2001; García_Gil 2003). Permanent water holes tend to be located in bigger numbers surrounding settlements ( ejidos ) (S. Calmé, pers. com). As a result, individuals of species such as Tapir, White-lipped Peccary and Jaguar, must go outside the limits of the reserve to get water (March 1994, Hernández-Huerta et al 2000, Escalona-Segura et al 2002, García –Escalona 2003, García-Gil 2003, Martínez-Kú 2007).There are some studies on the relation between water holes and fauna (García- Escalona, 2003; Mandujano and Gallina, 1995; Vaughan y Weiss, 1999, Martínez-Kú 2007). Martínez_Kú (2007) data sustains that areas with water holes have more diversity of mid-size mammals during dry season while there is no significant difference during rainy season. He also reports that human activities in the waterhole area can have an impact on the habitat. However, more information is necessary to understand how this works.
When planning the reserve’s boundaries, the location of villages and land use by local inhabitants were not taken into account, in particular because the region was barely being settled at the time the reserve was decreed (1989). Since then, the population grew from 3,000 to more than 25,000 people. The location of areas of special importance for biodiversity conservation was not considered either. The poor design of the core areas (Galindo-Leal 1999) has resulted in the southern core area being located adjacent to several villages without any buffer zone in between and as a consequence, it is very vulnerable to slash and burn agriculture, as well as poaching and wildlife trafficking.
Forest cover declined in Calakmul region from 1974 to 2000 both within and outside the reserve, with a peak in forest loss in the total interior and the external buffer from 1986 to
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1990, improving considerably from 1990- 2000. The net change in forest cover from 1974- 2000 was -0.70 in the external buffer and -0.34 within the reserve. (Rayn-Villalba, 2006).
Study site
Calakmul is part of the second largest area of tropical forests in North America, the Maya Forest. It is located in the 19 o 12' 00" and 17 o 48' 39" N and 90 29' and 89 o 09' 39" W, southeast of the state of Campeche bordered to the north by Hopelchén municipality, to the west by Escárcega and Candelaria municipalities, to the south by Guatemala and Belice, and to the east by the state of Quintana Roo. The altitude range is 260 to 360 above sea level. According to Köppen, modified by García (1973), the climate is warm sub-humid (Aw), with the mean annual temperature of 27 0 C and a low of 18 0 C. The average annual rainfall in the area is 750 mm (Arriaga et al. 2000). Calakmul municipality extension is 13,839.11 Km 2 representing 24.34% of Campeche State (Gobierno de estado de Campeche, 2000).
Calakmul
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Figure 1. Location of Calakmul Biosphere Reserve
Figure 2. Polygon of Calakmul Biosphere Reserve: in red the core areas
Calakmul Biosphere Reserve is divided in two core areas and one buffer zone. One of the 2 core areas is in the southeast portion with 147.915 ha, the other core area is in the northern portion of reserve and has 100.345 ha. In total core areas cover 248.260 ha. The rest is the buffer zone with 474.924 ha.
The initiative to create the reserve in 1989 had as a goal to protect the area surrounding the archaeological sites found in Calakmul. In 1993 the reserve was included in the international web of the programme "Man the Biosphere" (MAB) of UNESCO.
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Calakmul Reserve is part of the mesoamerican corridor where there is a flow of species from the Yucatán Biotic Province, the Itsmo of Tehuantepec and the Guatemalan Petén.
There are around 86 mammal species in Calakmul of which 18 are included in the Norma Oficial Mexicana de Ecología 059 (NOM-059-ECOL/1994), which determines species with some degree of threat. Also five of the six species of felis in México live in Calakmul: jaguar (Panthera onca ), puma ( Puma concolor ), ocelote ( Leopardus pardalis ), tigrillo ( Leopardus wiedii ) and leoncillo ( Herpailurus yagouaroundi ). More than 230 avian species have been registered for the reserve, and between 3 y 5 million migratory birds come to spend the winter every year.
Other important species of fauna that find refuge in Calakmul are: jabirú (Jabiru mycteria), frogs Similisca cyanosticta, black vulture (Sarcoramphus papa), Eagles (Spizaetus ornatus), tucans, parrots, six species of marsupials and 2 primates (alouatta palliata and Ateles geoffroyi).
Futhermore, Calakmul is the only place in the American continent where the Canellaceae family (flora) can be found.
Calakmul Reserve is a federal reserve; funding is provided by CONANP (Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas) and the Fondo Mexicano para la Conservación. Presently the reserve has 19 people as staff: 1 Director, 1 vice Director, 1 General Coordinator , 2 special technicians, 2 operative managers, 12 rangers. There are 3 annual programmes: the first regarding preservation of landraised (or criollo) maize germoplasm and the other 2 promote sustainable activities and development of infrastructure in the communities.
Vegetation
According to Martínez and Galindo (2002) the ecosystems present in Calakmul include:
• Subtropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forest • Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands • Flooded grasslands and savannas
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• Wetlands • Riparian vegetation • Secondary vegetation
Figure 3. Vegetation in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve
Change in vegetation in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve
In Rayn-Villalba (2006) it was found that although the loss of vegetation cover slowed down after the reserve was decreed in 1989, the poor reserve design has facilitated significant impacts on flora and fauna, including the increase in deforestation in core areas. This was exacerbated by the lack of clear definition of the uses of each part of the reserve . Table 1 figure 3 a,b,c
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Table 1. Change forest cover in Calkmul Biosphere Reserve and surrounding area from 1974 to 2000. Net change in forest cover (%)
Period External buffer Total Interior Core areas 1974-1986 -0.74 -0.34 -0.28
1986-1990 -2.41 -2.37 -2.29
1990-2000 0.02 0.34 0.46
1974-2000 -0.7 -0.7 -0.31
a) 1974 b) 1986 c) 2000 Figure 4. Encroachment in Calakmul biosphere Reserve. The maps show Calakmul Biospehre Reserve polygon (yellow) and core areas (blue).
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It was also found that the loss in forest cover was lower in the centre of the reserve regardless of whether it was part of a core area or not. Population and road density by 2000 were also lower in the center. This supported the idea that isolation from the edge provides protection.
Fauna
There are 75 species of reptiles and 18 species of amphibians in the reserve, which represents 70 percent of the amphibians found in the Yucatan Peninsula. Thirty-five of the species of reptiles and 5 species of amphibians are considered threatened, in danger, rare, or in need of special protection according to the Official Registry of Mexican Ecology. 31 species of fish have been identified, most prominent of which is the family Chichilidae, represented by eight species. Up to the year 2000, inventories of butterflies had documented 380 species, although the total number is estimated at 500 (Pozo et al. 2001).
Herpetofauna There are 18 amphibian species reported in Calkmul area (Pozo de la Tijera, 1988), which represents 75% of the species found in Yucatán Peninsula. All the species belong to the Order Anura, with 6 families represented; Bufonidae with 2 species, Rhinophrynidae with one, Hylidae with two, Leptodactylidae with two, Mycrohylidae with two, and Ranidae also with two.
There are 59 reptile species reported (Calderón, 1999) representing almost 32% of the 182 species in Yucatán Peninsula. Three Orders are represented; Crocodilya with one species (Crocodylus moreletii ) from the Crocodylidae family; Testudines, with five species from the Bataguridae, Kinosternidae and Emydidae families, and Squamata with two Suborders Sauria and Serpentes and 13 families. Thirty-five of the species of reptiles and 5 species of amphibians are considered threatened, in danger, rare, or in need of special protection according to the NOM-ECOL-059-2001
Ornitofauna
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More than 350 avian species have been identified in Calakmul region, representing 62 families, 53% are whole year residents, 18% winter residents, 2% summer residents, 6% transient, 2% altitudinal migrants, and 15% vagrants (Berlanga et al 2000; Semarnat, 1999). Approximately one third of them are common to the Neotropical forests of Central and South America; 9 species are endemic for Mesoamérica, 32 are threatened, including the king vulture (Sarcoramphus papa ), the hawk eagle ( Spizaetus tyrannus ), the ocellated turkey (Agriocharis ocellata ), and the royal duck ( Cairina moschta ), the latter being in danger of extinction accoding to Nom-Ecol-59 (Instituto Nacional de Ecologia 1999). Mastofauna. There are 94 species of wild mammals registered in Calakmul, with 26 families and 9 orders represented (Ceballos et al 2002, Cervantes et al, 1994; Semarnat, 1999, Ramírez et al, 1986). There are 47 species of Quiroptera, 15 species of Rodents and 16 species of Carnivore. Felids are among the most notable, with five of the six species in Mexico present in the reserve: the jaguar ( Panthera onca ), puma ( Puma concolor ), ocelot ( Leopardus pardalis ), margay ( Leopardus wiedii ), and the jaguarondi ( Herpaolurus yagouaroundi ). Also found in the region are six of the eight marsupials of Mexico, Marmosa canescens and Didelphis marsupialis among them. Present as well in Calakmul are the howler monkey (Alouatta pigra ) and the spider monkey ( Ateles geoffroyi ) in danger of extinction and found in the Yucatan Peninsula, Guatemala, and Belize. Other threatened species include the anteater ( Tamandua mexicana ), the white-lipped peccary ( Tajassu pecari ), and the tapir (Tapirus bairdii ) (CONABIO 1998; Instituto Nacional de Ecologia 1999). Also present are the Yucatán brown brocket deer ( Mazama pandora ), which is endemic to Mexico and the white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ).
Waterholes
The hydraulic system in Calakmul region has an important role in the distribution and dynamics of flora and fauna populations. Water quality is poor due to excess in calcium sulfates, so it is not drinkable for humans (Martínez-Kú 2007), so the main available source of drinking water is rain stored in water holes (García-Gil, 2003). These water holes are swamp like areas originated by erosion and sedimentation processes, together with a weather regime in which precipitation and evaporation are in equilibrium. Vegetation consists mainly in herbs and shrubs adapted to extreme conditions of flooding and drought, and keep humid
11 conditions in dry months. In Calakmul due to meteorological factors, soil permeability and land use, many water holes dry up completely (García-Gil, 2003). García-Gil, 2003 registered 1,353 water holes in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, of which 485 are in the south section of the reserve and 868 in the north. Puc Cabrera (2008) found that water holes are of great important for avian assembles, especially during dry season. They provide refuge, feeding and nesting sites; its depth is associated with avian species richness. Martínez_Kú (2007) data sustains that areas with water holes have more diversity of mid-size mammals during dry season.
However, water holes in the north section are smaller and shallower thus more prone to dry up. This implies that species move to the south during dry months. Moreover, permanent water holes tend to be located in bigger numbers surrounding settlements ( ejidos ) (S. Calmé, pers. com). As a result, individuals of species such as Tapir, White-lipped Peccary (Martínez- Kú 2007, Rafael Reyna, 2005) and Jaguar, must go outside the limits of the reserve to get water (March 1994, Hernandez-Huerta et al 2000, Escalona-Segura et al 2002, García-Gil 2003).
Socio-demographic and economic profile
There are 84 ejidos (communal land) with an estimate population of 25 thousand inhabitants in Calakmul municipality; 30 of these ejidos are adjacent to Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. Communities are rural, Xpujil being the largest settlement with a population of 1,213 inhabitants. There are approximately 3,000 inhabitants living inside the polygon (Pérez- Espinoza pers. Com). The main human activities are agriculture and cattle (87%), with only 13% of the activities related to tourism, transport, commerce and construction, INEGI 2002 The main access is the federal highway No. 186 from Escárcega to Chetumal (west-east); which divides the northern core area and the buffer area. There is another road from Hopelchén (north-south) to Xpujil. This road cuts through the southern core area, and there are other minor roads to Zoh Laguna and the archeological site within Calakmul. Most ejidos are connected by smaller paved and unpaved roads INEGI 2002 Infrastructure and services in Calakmul are inadequate, the water is scarce in the region and during dry season (November-June) the situation is critical (Steadman 1997, Morales y Magaña 2001).
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Current threats:
• Forest fires • Population growth • Conflict between the reserve and the population • Illegal hunting • Agriculture (slash and burn) and cattle • Highways and roads • Tourist infrastructure • Faulty design of the polygon • Lack of synergy and coordination between institutions and civil associations
Objectives
• To assess ecosystem integrity in relation to water availability in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve and adjacent ejidos.
• To create alternative proposals for water management in Calakmul region, with emphasis on community participation (i.e. voluntary reserves within adjacent ejidos )
Methods
• Data already available was collected from governmental and academic institutions in order to be integrated.
• Selected water holes within and adjacent to Calakmul Biosphere Reserve were monitored (direct observation, measurements and photographs).
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• Visits to adjacent ejidos to interview local people to explore the possibility of community participation in proposals such as voluntary reserves were carried out. Interviews were based on a questionnaire.
Results
Precipitation The region's basin is an important factor in precipitation trends, with summer conditions diminishing precipitation in the region.. Summer rains are less than 60 mm during the driest month, and the wind coming from the southeast finds the central plains resulting in a perennial cloudiness on the west part of the Yucatán Peninsula. Due to the orography, the hills would get more rain during summer and the rivers and streams will increase thanks to the water sliding from the top. The percentage precipitation during winter is 5- 10 % (SEMARNAT, 1999). There are 3 climatological stations in the area:
Silvituc (Champotón),X-Bonil (Champotón) and Zoh-Laguna (Hopelchén). Annual media calculated with data from the above stations for the years 1953 to 2007 is 1030.7 mm, for wet season it is 700.8 mm and 85.3 for dry season. Graphs from the data available were produced (Figures 6-8).
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Figure 5. Hidrology map with monitired waterholes and climatological stations.
200.0
180.0
160.0
140.0
120.0
100.0
80.0
60.0
40.0
20.0
0.0
JFMAMJJASOND
Figure 6. Climatology 1961-2007 (mm of precipitation per month)
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
53 545556 5758 59 6061 626364 6566 67 6869 707172 7374 75 7677 787980 8182 83 8485 868788 8990 91 9293 9495 96 9798 99 0001 020304 0506 07 Figure 7. Time series (1958-2007) wet season (June-October)
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350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
535455565758596061 6263646566 67 68 69707172 73 74757677787980818283848586878889909192939495969798990001020304050607
Figure 8 Time series (1958-2007) dry season (February-April)
Waterholes were monitored regarding measures and fauna present, results are presented in the following tables (2 to 7) and graphs (figure 10,14, 17, 19, 23 and 25). Tracks of animals were recorded, selected photographs of the waterholes and the tracks are presented in figures 9, 11,12, 13, 15,16, 18, 20,21,22,24.
Bonfil waterhole. This waterhole is located in the Km 40 of the road that goes from the Highway
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Chetumal- Escárcega to the archeological site within the Reserve. Figure 9. Bonfil waterwhole in april 2010
Bonfil Waterhole
4000
3000
2000
area 1000
0 November January March may July September October December February April June August
months
Figure 10. Change in size per month in Bonfil waterhole
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Table 2. Measures of Bonfil waterhole per month and fauna present
Bonfil Waterhole
Geographic Location 16Q 209484 2012689 Alt 318 m month/year Area (mt) Fauna observed Tracks
October/09 3506.07 None Tapir Tapirus bairdii December/ 3324.75 Jabalí labios Tapir Tapirus bairdii 09 blancos ) Tayassu pecari January/20 648 None Tapir Tapirus bairdii 10 Jabali labios blancos Tayassu pecari February/2 614.77 None Tapir Tapirus bairdii 010 Jabali labios blancos Tayassu pecari Jaguar with offspring Panthera onca March/201 1194.05 None Tapir Tapirus bairdii 0 April/2010 1970.55 None Temazate Mazama americana Ocelote Leopardus pardalis
May/2010 1431.67 None Tapir Tapirus bairdii Temazate Mazama americana
June/2010 1519.37 None Tapir Tapirus bairdii
July/2010 1764.38 None Jaguar Panthera onca , Venado Cola blanca Odocoileus virginianus
August/201 1767.3 None Temazate Mazama americana 0
September/ 1808.1 None Temazate Mazama americana 2010 Jabalí de collar Tayassu tajacu
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Aguada El Lechugal . This waterhole is located in the Km 27 of the road that goes from the Highway Chetumal- Escárcega to the archeological site within the Reserve.
Figure 11. El Lechugal waterhole in February 2010
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Figure 12. Odocoileus virginianus footprints in El Lechugal waterhole
Figure 13. Tayasu tajacu footprints in El Lechugal waterhole
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Km 27 El Lechugal Waterhole
2000
1500
1000
500 area
0 November January March may July September October December February April June August
months
Figure 14. Change in size per month in El Lechugal waterhole
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Table 3. Measures of El Lechugal waterhole per month and fauna present
Km 27 /El Lechugal Waterhole Geographic Location 16Q 0198064 2026855 ALT 223 m month/year Area Fauna observed Tracks (mt)
October/09 804.3 Crocodylus moreletti Venado cola blanca Odocoileus virginianus December/0 755.74 Crocodylus moreletti Jaguar Panthera onca 9
January/201 648 Crocodylus moreletti Venado cola blanca Odocoileus 0 Jabalí de collar Tayassu virginianus tajacu Jaguar Panthera onca February/20 614.77 Crocodylus moreletti 10 Venado cola blanca Odocoileus virginianus Jabalí de collar Tayassu tajacu Jaguar Panthera onca
March/2010 594.55 Crocodylus moreletti Tejón Nasua narica Jabalí de collar Tayassu tajacu
April/2010 341.91 Crocodylus moreletti Jabalí de collar Tayassu Venado cola blanca tajacu Odocoileus virginianus May/2010 573.19 Crocodylus moreletti Venado cola blanca Odocoileus Pavo ocelado Meleagris virginianus ocellata June/2010 608.93 Crocodylus moreletti Pavo ocelado Meleagris ocellata July/2010 1536 Crocodylus moreletti Jabali Labios blancos Tayassu pecari
August/201 448 Crocodylus moreletti Jabali Labios blancos Tayassu 0 pecari Venado cola blanca Odocoileus virginianus
September/2 418.11 Venado cola blanca 010 Odocoileus virginianus Crocodylus moreletti Allouatta palliata
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Ejido Emiliano Zapata. It is partially located within the buffer zone of Calakmul Biosphere Reserve with 7650.00 ha. There are only ten households and vegetation is in good condition since local people respect regulations. The main productive activities are cynegetic services (legal hunting), Chilli production, honey production, cattle in small proportions. People in Emiliano Zapata are originally from several estates: Veracruz, Tabasco, Chiapas, Michoacán, Yucatán and Oaxaca. (Servicios y Beneficios Ambientales SC de RL, SEYBA. 2009.)
Figure 15 . Emiliano Zapata waterhole in February 2010
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Figure 16. Tayassu peccari footprints in Emiliano Zapata waterhole
Emiliano Zapata Waterhole
800
600
400
200 area
0 December April August October February June
months
Figure 17.Change in size per month in Emiliano Zapata waterhole
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Table 4. Measures of Emiliano Zapata waterhole per month and fauna present
Ejido Emiliano Zapata Waterhole Geographic Location 16Q 0218890 2045640 Alt 103m month/year Area Fauna observed Tracks (mt)
October/09 713.28 None Jabalí de labios blancos Tayassu pecari December/09 694.04 None Tapir Tapirus bairdii Jaguar Panthera onca
January/2010 376.7 Garza tigre Tigrisoma Tapir Tapirus bairdii mexicanus Jaguar Panthera onca
February/2010 366.38 Garza tigre Tigrisoma Tapir Tapirus bairdii mexicanus Jaguar Panthera onca
March/2010 354.79 Pavo Ocelado Meleagris Tapir Tapirus bairdii ocellata Temazate Mazama americana Garza tigre Tigrisoma mexicanus April/2010 317.98 Garza tigre Tigrisoma Tapir Tapirus bairdii mexicanus Venado cola blanca Odocoileus virginianus Jaguar Panthera onca May/2010 243.11 Pavo ocelado Meleagris Tapir Tapirus bairdii ocellata Temazate Mazama americana Jaguar Panthera onca
June/2010 351.59 Pavo ocelado Meleagris Temazate Mazama americana ocellata
July/2010 337.9 Pavo ocelado Meleagris Temazate Mazama americana ocellata
August/2010 350.24 Hocofaisán Crax rubra Temazate Mazama americana
September/2010 335.41 Hocofaisán Crax rubra Tapir Tapirus bairdii Temazate Mazama americana
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Ejido Narciso Mendoza. With 3, 958 ha, it is located in the kilometer 37 of the Xpujil to Arroyo Negro estatal road. Its south west border is adjacent to one of the core areas of Calakmul Biosphere Reserve.1,250 ha are designed as a community conservation area . Accordig to INEGI (Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía) 2005, there are, 368 inhabitants (172 men and 196 women).People came o live here from Campeche. It is one of the few ejidos with electricity . The main productive activities are corn, chilli and honey production, and cattle in small proportion(Villaseñor et al, 2009)
Figure 18. Narciso Mendoza waterhole in March 2010
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Narciso Mendoza Waterhole
2000
1500
1000
500 area
0 November January March may July September October December February April June August
months
Figure 19.Change in size per month in Narciso Mendoza waterhole
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Table 5. Measures of Narciso Mendoza waterhole per month and fauna present
Ejido Narciso Mendoza Waterhole Geographic Location 16Q 0238920 2017216 month/ye X (mt) Fauna observed Tracks ar side a October/0 No No data No data 9 data
Decembe 1790.4 None Tapir Tapirus r/09 3 bairdii
January/2 1782.4 Tapir Tapirus bairdii Tapir Tapirus 010 6 bairdii
February/ 176103 Tapir Tapirus bairdii Tapir Tapirus 2010 bairdii March/20 dry None None 10 April/201 dry None None 0 May/201 dry None None 0 June/201 dry None None 0
July/2010 dry None None
August dry None None /2010
Septembe dry None None r/2010
Ejido Cristobal Colon With a surface of 14,681 km 2 , this communiy is located 36 km. South from Xpujil. Access is through the Chetumal- Escárcega highway. It is adyacent to the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, 3 km from one of the core areas, and is part of the Mesoamerican Corridor. It limits with Narciso Mendoza. The main productive activities are corn, chilli and honey production, and cattle in small proportion. There are 300 inhabitants and vegetation is in good condition (Pérez Espinoza F. pers.
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Com 2010). Funding members came from several estates like in most ejidos around: Veracruz, Tabasco, Chiapas, Michoacán, Yucatán and Oaxaca
Figure 20. Cristobal Colón Waterhole in March 2010
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Figure 21. Ocelote Leopardus pardalis footprints in Cristobal Colón waterhole
Figure 22. Procyon lotor fooprints in Cristóbal Colón waterhole
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Cristobal Colon Waterhole
6000
4000
2000 area
0 November January March may July September October December February April June August
months
Figure 23.Change in size per month in Cristóbal Colón waterhole
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Table 6. Measures of Cristóbal Colón waterhole per month and fauna present
Ejido Cristóbal Colon Waterhole Geographic Location 16Q 0239529 2015409 UTM NAD27 Alt 230m month/year Area (mt) Fauna observed Tracks
October/09 4992.04 None None November No data December/09 4973.85 None Mapache Procyon lotor Ocelote Leopardus pardalis Tlacuache 4 ojos Philander opossum January/2010 No data
February/2010 4659.75 None Garza tigre Tigrisoma mexicanus Ardilla gris Sciurus aurogaster Mapache Procyon lotor Ocelote Leopardus pardalis Tlacuache 4 ojos Philander opossum March/2010 41.68.16 Garza tigre Tigrisoma Tlacuache 4 ojos Philander mexicanus opossum Mapache Venado cola blanca Odocoileus Procyon lotor virginianus Temazate Mazama americana April/2010 39.10.77 None Tlacuache 4 ojos Philander opossum Mapache Procyon lotor Venado Cola blanca Odocoileus virginianus Temazate Mazama americana May/2010 4175.7 None Mapache Procyon lotor June/2010 4320.95 Perico Pecho sucio Mapache Procyon lotor Aratinga nana*
July/2010 4150.96 None Tejón Nasua narica Mapache Procyon lotor Tuza Geomys bursarius
August/2010 4307.57 6 None M apache Procyon lotor 1 Tuza Geomys bursarius . Zorra Urocyon cinereoargenteus 6 6
September/2010 4164.42 Garza tigre Tigrisoma Mapache mexicanus Procyon lotor *special protection status
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Ejido Eugenio Echeverría Castellot II It is located 14 km. South of Xpujil. Acces is through the Escárcega – Chetumal highway. It is part of the archeological corridor Xpujil-Calakmul and the Mesoamerican Corridor and Calakmul municipality. It has 2603 ha, of which 850 ha are for conservation and 246 for environmental services. There are only 28 ejidatarios. Vegetation is in good condition..The main productive activities are ecotourism, agroforestry, chilli and honey production, cattle in small proportions. Most inhabitants are originally from otherl estates such as: Chiapas, Campeche, Tabasco.
Figure 24. El Carrizal Waterhole in February 2010
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El Carrizal Waterhole
8000
6000
4000
2000 area
0 December April August October February June
months
Figure 25.Change in size per month in El Carrizal waterhole
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Table 7. Measures of the waterhole per month and fauna present
El Carrizal Waterhole Geographic Location 16Q 0197927 2026428 month/year Area (mt) Fauna observed Tracks
October/09 No data
November No data
December/09 6834.16 None Tapir Tapirus bairdii Venado Cola Blanca Odocoileus virginianu January/2010 6784.56 None Tapir Tapirus bairdii Venado Cola Blanca Odocoileus virginianu February 6726.24 None Tapir Tapirus bairdii Venado Cola Blanca Odocoileus virginianus Puma concolor
March 2928.49 Pavo Ocelado Tejón Nasua narica Meleagris ocellata Mapache Procyon lotor
April 25741.4 None Tejón Nasua narica Pavo Ocelado Meleagris ocellata Mapache Procyon lotor
May 2461.38 None Temazate Mazama americana
June 2568.23 Pavo ocelado Temazate Mazama americana Meleagris ocellata July 2906.79 Falco sparverius Temazate Mazama americana
August/2010 3063.32 Garza Jabalí de collar Tayassu tajacu tigreTigrisoma Temazate Mazama americana mexicanus
September/2010 2958.12 None Pavo ocelado Meleagris ocellata Temazate Mazama americana
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Conclusions and Recommendations
Waterholes located in adjacent ejidos have an important role for species protected by Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. This study found, as March 1994, Hernández-Huerta et al 2000, Escalona-Segura et al 2002, García –Escalona 2003, García-Gil 2003, Martínez-Kú 2007 did before, that many species of fauna have to get out of the reserve to find water to drink. Species found in the waterholes located within ejidos adjacent to the reserve are the most vulnerable to variations in water level. There are species of great importance such as Tapir, White-lipped Peccary and Jaguar, that wander outside the reserve in search of water. The case of predators such as the Jaguar is specially relevant since the probability of attacks to cattle and other farm animals increases, which creates animosity towards such animals. It is important to protect these species during the dry months when they need to have access to alternate sources of water. We found that species use the waterholes in the ejidos all year long and the same species show if the waterhole persist. In that respect it is necessary to take protective measures and keep waterholes available to them. This measures must facilitate the maintenance and improvement if possible of the quality of the water and the ecosystem surrounding the waterhole, the protection of the fauna from illegal hunters and poachers and the mitigation/management of possible predator attacks. This measures must not be imposed by the Reserve but must come from the inhabitants of the communities, although reserve staff should provide guidance and cooperation.
In all ejidos that were visited favorable conditions were found for the implementation of internal ( ejidales) regulations that would allow to protect waterholes and fauna within the ejido.
Suggested measures are as follow:
• Vigilance of the waterhole by locals ( ejidatarios) to avoid illegal hunting and poaching
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• Keep the waterhole and its surroundings clean and free from trash, plastic, detergent, oil, gasoline and all man made products
• Avoid logging and burning of nearby vegetation
• Regulation of fisheries if it applies
• Work with the appropriate authorities (CONANP, SAGARPA, SEMARNAP) to improve cattle management and implement protective measures in case there is the risk of a predator attack that endangers cattle and property (instead of killing the predator themselves).
The last point is the most conflictive since protective measures are expensive and authorities do not always respond promptly ( Pérez Espinoza F. pers. Com 2010) . ; people in the ejidos feel they have the right to protect their property
Future Work
Mapping and monitoring of adjacent waterholes must continue and extend to all known waterholes. It is also relevant to continue with the analysis of meteorological data; in this way it would be possible to anticipate which waterholes would be particularly important during droughts and to prevent situations such as predators attacks by implementing protective measures on time. The situation in all adjacent ejidos must be explored regarding its disposition to protect waterholes within its limits and the species that approach it to drink and act accordingly as mentioned in the previous section. If resistance towards this measures is found it is suggested to start with environmental education programs that highlight the importance and benefits of the waterhole for the ejido and its population and the possible mitigation measures that can be taken in case of a predator attack to cattle and other farm animals.
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References
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ANNEXES Annexe 1. Fauna found in the waterholes
Genus Specie Waterholes Allouatta palliata El Lechugal o Km 27 Aratinga nana Cristóbal Colón
Crocodylus moreletti El Lechugal o Km 27
Leopardus pardalis Cristóbal Colón
Mazama americana Bonfil, Emiliano Zapata, Cristóbal Colón, El Carrizal
Meleagris ocellata El Lechugal o Km 27, Emiliano Zapata, El Carrizal
Nasua narica El Lechugal, El Carrizal
Odocoileus virginianus Bonfil, El Lechugal, Emiliano Zapata, Cristóbal Colón, El Carrizal
Panthera onca Bonfil, El Lechugal, Emiliano Zapata
Philander opossum Cristóbal Colón
Procyon lotor Cristóbal Colon, El Carrizal
Puma concolor El Carrizal
Sciurus aurogaster Cristóbal Colón
Tapirus bairdii Bonfil, Emiliano Zapata, Narciso Mendoza, El Carrizal
Tayassu pecari Bonfil, El Lechugal, Emiliano Zapata
Tayassu tajacu El Lechugal, Bonfil
Tigrisoma mexicanus Emiliano Zapata, Cristóbal Colón
Annexe 2. Questionnaire Semi-structured interview Name of interviewer: Place and date: Name of interviewee: Age: Sex:
Where are you from? How long have you (or your ancestors) lived here?
Do you know the limits of Calakmul Biosphere Reserve?
How do people living within the region make use of the resources available?
How do people living outside the region make use of the resources available?
Do people use the timber? How and since when?
Do you use any other natural resource? How and since when?
Changes in species sighting and predator attacks (i.e. Jaguar)
What species of animals use to live in Calakmul?
When was the last time you or anyone else saw one? Which one?
Why do you think they disappeared?
What species of animals still live in Calakmul?
Have you seen them or any evidence of its presence (excretes burrows or footprints?
What animals are used and what for? (Hunting, food, medicine, sale, other)
Do you know where the animals are usually found? Do you know the places where there is more abundance? (in the map)
Where do you and other people living in Calakmul get water?
Can you get water all year long?
What do you use water for?
Do you know where the main stream, rivers, and waterholes in the region are?
Do you know the names?
Do you know if people from outside uses the water?
Do you know if the distribution of stream, rivers or water holes has change?
If it has, why do you think it happened?
When is the rainy season? Has it changed? How and since when?
Why do you think it has changed? Are there any places where the soil is washed down when it rains? Where? (Map)
Do you remember if any of these events has affected the region in the last 10 years? Draughts Floodings Mudslide Hurricans
Has the climate changed in any way?
How and since when?
Why do you think it has changed?