Environmental degradation of the coastal ecosystems of the Mexican Caribbean

What is it about?

This study describes the current environmental condition of the coast of Quintana Roo, Mexican Caribbean, comparing areas exposed to contrasting anthropogenic impacts due to the massive tourist development in the North (Cancun and the Riviera Maya destinations) relative to the low development in the middle and Southern regions. Current data were also compared with published literature descriptions for the area, in order to understand the environmental transformations of this coast along the last 20 years. Results confirmed the strong impact of the massive sargassum tides, which are accelerating the eutrophication of these marine environments, already highly fertilized by the poor treatment of the large volumes of sewage generated every day by residents and visitors of the first tourist destination in the Caribbean.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

The critical environmental conditions of this coast demands urgent and effective solutions, which need to focus on the control of in-and outflows of nitrogen and phosphorus. There is no place for the discussion between urban development or nature, as the survival of coral reefs in this area is fundamental for the survival of the well being of residents and visitors The economy of this region is totally dependent on tourism. The fast turnover rate of the seawater in the reef lagoons has allowed delaying the visualization of the severity of the environmental degradation that was progressing in the benthic ecosystems (seagrass beds). However, the impact of the massive sargassum tides since 2024-2015 in the region is speeding the eutrophication process increasing the severity of the habitat degradation and highlighting a phenomenon that cannot be obscure any longer. The survival of coral reefs ecosystems in the area is under risk.