Mexico is one of 17 megadiverse countries in the world with almost all types of terrestrial vegetation known, and all marine and aquatic ecosystems well represented throughout its territory. From the deepest points in the ocean to the highest mountains, Mexico protects a significant portion of ecosystems and species through natural protected areas (NPAs).
226
NATURAL PROTECTED AREAS
93,807,804
total hectares
22.47
MARINE AREA PROTECTED
70,794,424
total hectares
11.7
TERRESTRIAL AREA PROTECTED
23,013,380
total hectares
*Does not include areas voluntarily designated for conservation or fishing refuges.
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TIMELINE
1968
Mexican Society of Natural History is founded.
1917
The first NPA in Mexico, Desierto de los Leones National Park, is established.
1923
The Biology Institute at the National Autonomous University of Mexico is formed.
1940
Mexico joins the Convention for the Protection of Nature and Preservation of Wildlife.
1982
The Urban Development and Ecology Secretariat was formed through the National System of Natural Protected Areas (SINANP).
1988
The General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection was passed.
1992
The National Commission for the knowledge and use of Biodiversity (CONABIO), the National Institution of Ecology (then INE; INECC today), and the Attorney General for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) are formed.
1994
The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Fisheries (SEMARNAP) and the North America Commission for Environmental Cooperation are established.
1997
The Declaration of Tulum determines the need for an action plan within the National Committee for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Mexican Reefs.
2000
A change in the Federal Law for Public Administration gives way to the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) and the National Commission for Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) is born.
2008
The Voluntary Conservation Areas (ADVC) category is included in the LGEEPA, allowing certified private properties to be recognized as federal NPAs.
2010
The Parts of the Convention on Biological Diversity adopt a Strategic Plan for the Biological Diversity 2011-2020, which include the Aichi Goals.
2012
The national strategy for the conservation and sustainable development of the Mexican territory is published.
2014
CONANP publishes the 2040 Strategy
2016
The National Strategy for Mexico’s Biodiversity is published. The largest NPA in Mexico is established: BR Deep Mexican Pacific (43,614,120.19 ha).
2017
With a change in category to National Park, Revillagigedo becomes the largest marine reserve (100% protection) in North America.
NPAs in Mexico
NPA AREA BY REGION
REGION 1
# of NPAs: 32
Estimated Protected Area
7,363,616
hectares
Management categories
for NPAs
National Parks
SURFACE (hectares)
17,569,683
18.73%
TOTAL NPAs
78
How much of Mexico’s territory is under some type of protection?
Marine
SURFACE (hectares)
70,794,424
22.47%
On December 13, 2020, Mexico announced its accession to the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People whose agenda is known as the 30x30 Initiative. As part of this coalition, Mexico agreed to work to protect 30% of the planet's land and sea surface by 2030.
One of the ways to contribute to achieving the goal of protecting 30% of the marine area in Mexico is by establishing marine protected areas dedicated entirely to the protection and recovery of its biodiversity.
• Castañeda Rincón, J. (2006). Las áreas naturales protegidas de México; de su origen precoz a
su consolidación tardía. Scripta Nova. Revista electrónica de geografía y ciencias sociales.
Barcelona: Universidad de Barcelona. vol. X, núm. 218 (13).
• Melo Gallegos, C. (2002). Áreas Naturales Protegidas de México en el siglo XX. Instituto de
Geografía. UNAM. México.156 pp.
• Ezcurra, E., O. Aburto-Oropeza, M.A. Carvajal, R. Cudney-Bueno, y J. Torre. (2009). Gulf of
California, Mexico. En: K. McLeod and H. Leslie (eds.) Ecosystem-Based Management for the
Oceans. Island Press, New York. pp. 227–252.
