Marismas Nacionales-San Blas
Mangroves store more carbon than any other forest type on the planet, and carbon storage is key to reducing climate change.”
Unfortunately, just like my beloved forests in the Northwest, mangrove forests near San Blas are under threat.
Mangroves have been declining at San Blas for some time because they are sensitive to salinity levels. The amount of freshwater and sediment coming in to the Marismas from the rivers that drain into it have declined as a result of dams and water diversions further increased salinities. Other threats include coastal erosion, conversion of mangrove areas to commercial shrimp ponds, and losses from forest conversion to livestock and crop production, roads, and other infrastructure. Mangroves store more carbon than any other forest type on the planet, and carbon storage is key to reducing climate change. From 1973 to 2000 the Marismas Nacionales-San Blas has declined by about 16%. In addition, the Mexican tourism investment office, is planning a large tourism development adjacent to Marismas Nacionales that will include over 43,000 hotel and vacation home rooms, at least three golf courses, two marinas, commercial centers, and general urbanization. The direct and indirect impacts of this development, including the city that will be created nearby to house the workers servicing the tourism lodging and attractions, pose a substantial threat to the conservation of the Marismas Nacionales-San Blas Mangroves.