The Costalegre
The “Costalegre,” or southern coast of Jalisco, ecoregion is mainly comprised of tropical deciduous forest. The tropical deciduous forest ecosystem has been identified as the most threatened tropical ecosystem on our planet. Among all such ecosystems globally, the tropical deciduous forest of Jalisco, Mexico, encompassing 42,167 square km., is the most biodiverse, and contains the highest rate of endemism (84 endemic vertebrates; 110 endemic plants). It has been identified by Conservation International as falling into the Mesoamerican “Biodiversity Hotspot”, one of 34 in the world[i], and by World Wildlife Fund as one of the 200 global areas in most critical need of conservation[ii]. These areas are selected for being the richest, rarest, and most endangered freshwater, marine, and terrestrial reservoirs of biota on earth. The Mexican National Commission for the Understanding and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO) reinforces this finding: it has placed Jalisco dry forest under marine, terrestrial, and hydrological priority regions in addition to naming it an Important Bird Area (IBA)[iii]. As well, in February 2008, seven mangrove ecosystems along the Costalegre were named Ramsar sites in accordance with the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance[iv], which grants them significant importance in terms of conservation and research on an international level. One of these new Ramsar sites is La Manzanilla Mangrove which hosts the biggest population of the endangered American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) on the entire coast of Jalisco.
The ecosystems of the Costalegre--mangrove, coral reef, tropical deciduous forest--are currently facing unprecedented threats due to new developments backed by the government of Jalisco in addition to private investments from national and international interests. Taking into consideration the biological importance on a global level of this coastal zone, it is crucial not only that existing environmental regulations be followed, but also that models of sustainable development which demonstrate the ability for financial viability and environmental harmony to coexist are fomented.
La Manzanilla, a Costalegre town of approximately 2,500 inhabitants, and homebase to Tierralegre, is of extreme importance to the municipality of La Huerta for its future potential development as an international and national tourist destination. Its history as such, ironically, was first established during the 1995 earthquake which would have wiped the town off the map had it been on the map in the first place. Much attention was drawn to La Manzanilla as a result of the rescue efforts which took place after the earthquake. Situated on the splendid and abundant Tenacatita Bay, La Manzanilla is without doubt one of the economic and natural jewels of the Costalegre in terms of national and international tourism. One of the most notable social patterns that has manifested recently in La Manzanilla is the rapid rise of real estate and construction on the part of the North American baby-boomer sector. Unfortunately, this development is unsustainable and largely unregulated, an insidious problem that is being addressed, but not at as fast a rate as the development itself.
[i] Conservation International (2007). “Biodiversity Hotspots”. http://www.biodiversityhotspots.org/xp/Hotspots/mesoamerica/.
[ii] World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report (2001). Jalisco Dry Forests (NTO217).
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/wildworld/global.html, “Choose a Map”, “Terrestrial Ecoregions”.
[iii] CONABIO (2004). http://www.conabio.gob.mx/conocimiento/regionalizacion/doctos/regionalizacion.html. “Regionalización”.
[iv] The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (2008). “Fifteen New Sites in Mexico Complete WWD Pledge”. http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-news-archives-2008-ramsar-bulletin-22664/main/ramsar/1-26-45-85%5E22664_4000_0