The Cyprinodon julimes experiment: a case study for development of a broadly effective conservation model in Mexico

Authors: Mauricio De la Maza-Benignos, Evan W. Carson, María de Lourdes Lozano-Vilano, Lilia Vela-Vallardes, Iris Banda-Villanueva

Year: 2012 (xliv)

Abstract

The effects of longstanding and growing demands on water resources in the desert regions of Mexico have raised a question of whether novel approaches to species and habitat conservation should be considered. One newly implemented experiment is based on a recent initiative for conserving the Julimes pupfish, Cyprinodon julimes. In this test case conservation efforts have focused on integrating biological and hydrological elements crucial to survival of this microendemic species with local landowner needs and participation. Primary attention was been directed toward achieving sustainable water use, as measured by stability and continued viability of water levels and the biotic community within Julimes Spring. This effort has thus far led to marked improvements in use of water resources, as well as stabilization of Julimes Spring and reduced threats to the persistence of C. julimes. These promising results suggest that actively guiding local communities towards sustainable management of water resources, combined with long-term habitat and population monitoring, may present the only effective means of conserving aquatic species in many areas in Mexico, especially in places where traditional conservation actions are impractical or unfeasible. The following are among the critical lessons learned during this experiment: i) effective outreach at the local community level is needed to correct prevailing misconceptions of what constitutes efficient water-use. For example, one major problem is the widespread view that flowing water is water wasted; ii) implementation of sustainability programs developed by State governments is imperative. Such plans, for example, have been developed and are being initiated in Chihuahua; and iii) water-rights policies must be reconfigured to favor sustainable resource use and preservation of ecosystem function. Although this promising paradigm for water management is recognized under the Mexican National Water Law of 1992, successful implementations have largely been sporadic and local due to a continued failure to bring federal policy to operational fruition. Local-regional initiatives will remain crucial for success.