Academics and students of the Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)as well as chinamperos from Xochimilco launched the third edition of the AdoptAxolotl campaign, which invites you to adopt an axolotl virtually and help the environmental and cultural rescue of this species and its environment.
Save the Xochimilco axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)a species endemic to that region currently in danger of extinction, and restoring its natural habitat is a colossal task that university students from the Ecological Restoration Laboratory of the Institute of Biology (IB) of UNAM have been working on for several years, headed by Luis Zambrano González, researcher of that academic entity.
Less than a year before the second edition will be held, now the students and collaborators also praise the conservation of the Mesoamerican chinampa, a type of planting to produce good quality food free of agrochemicals.
For this edition, Zambrano González indicated that the goal is to raise 6 million pesos, in order to support the various research and maintenance activities of the axolotl and its environment.
“To save the axolotl we need to restore its habitat, which is Xochimilco, a place that is not a place for parties and mariachis, but a place that for 1,500 years “It has given us food and is environmentally and culturally important for Mexico City and the country,” he commented.
In this sense, he made it clear that the effort to rescue resilient”.
Why is it important to save the Mexican Axolotl?
In addition to being a flagship and charismatic species, the axolotl has been integrated into urban culture, it also fulfills an ecosystem function, to have healthy wetlands, which have great contributions to human well-being by providing us with water and a stable climate.
In Mexico there are recorded 17 species of axolotls and 16 are exclusive to the country; The most popular specimens are those that inhabit the wetlands of Tláhuac and Xochimilco, the latter being the most critically endangered species of the genus, but in reality we know that all amphibians are at significant risk. “Mexico is the second country in the world with the most amphibian species in danger of extinction.”
Why are they in danger?
Xochimilco is mainly affected by growing urbanization, poor water quality and exotic species such as carp and tilapia fish that have been introduced decades ago.
To fight against these conditions, and save the axolotl, the Scientists work on the Chinampa-Refugio modelwhich allows us to continue with a traditional and sustainable model that is a home for the amphibian and an excellent planting site.
The specialist explains that in Xochimilco there are great pressures that make this species so threatened. The first is the water pollutionAlthough this site is the last remnant of the lagoon system in Mexico City, the water that reaches the area is treated, which is why its quality varies, “sometimes it is very good, sometimes it is very bad.”
Donations
Donations can be made for one, six or 12 months. In exchange, people will receive information material, they will have the possibility of visits with a specialist to get to know the amphibian, as well as a certificate of participation.
Donations are tax deductible. For more information you can consult the electronic address restauracionecologica.org
The team of scientists reported that in the first campaign 430 donations were received and in the second 5 thousand, which meant 3 million pesos. Now the goal is to collect 30% more in the third edition of AdoptAxolotl.
Diana Vázquez Mendoza, coordinator of the Chinampera Labelrecalled that this project also consists of having a badge to identify fresh vegetables grown in the chinampas, free of agrochemicals.
By selling them in stores and restaurants, local producers benefit, so we invite businessmen to join this initiative, he said.
