A Top 5 Global Biodiversity Hotspot
Perhaps nowhere else on Earth can so much Marine abundance be found than around Mexico’s Baja Peninsula and the Sea of Cortéz, which enjoys a near mythical status as one of the world’s few remaining near-shore Biodiversity Hotspots.
The Baja Peninsula is one of the few remaining marine systems on Earth with a high biomass and high biodiversity. Magdelena Bay is at the epicenter of this biodiversity hotspot. It is located at the meeting point of two of the most influential currents in the Eastern Pacific: the California current system, an extension of the Alaskan current system, and the South American current system. This creates unique temperature fluctuations that are believed to drive the incredible biodiversity found in the region.
A UNESCO World Heritage Candidate
The MarVivo Project includes areas so unique that project developers, government partners CONANP and local communities have committed to obtaining World Heritage Status for the area. In the 30 years that project developers have been monetizing Natural Capital Assets, no other place has represented as strong a candidate for a World Heritage Site.
Being listed as a World Heritage Site can benefit the area through international recognition, legal protection, and funding to help facilitate conservation. Local communities can also benefit from increased tourism revenue when an area is designated as a World Heritage Site.
Not coincidently, the marine abundance in this region is supported by some of the most pristine mangrove forests in the Americas, some of which have been identified as pupping grounds for Great White Sharks, Endangered Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks and other species of sharks.
Magnificent Magdalena Bay
Mangroves are a vital component of healthy ecosystems – marine and terrestrial. They shed an estimated 20 tonnes of leaf litter per year. This leaf litter collects at the roots of Mangroves, creating habitat, coastal protection and environmental benefits that are up to 50 times greater than a tropical forest.
Mexico has over 700,000 hectares of mangroves, making up 5% of the world’s total mangroves.
MarVivo’s innovative conservation funding mechanisms will support community projects that are designed to address poverty, one of the main drivers of deforestation, and create new economic opportunities. Our Projects are designed to make certain Magnificent Magdalena Bay is available for current and future generations to enjoy.
Mangrove forests support rich biodiversity, underpin the livelihoods of more than a billion people worldwide and protect us from extreme weather events.
They reduce wave height by up to 66% during storm events.
They provide habitat for up to 80% of commercially and recreationally important fish species.
They improve water quality and clarity.
They provide privacy and shade for coastal property owners.
Mangroves prevent erosion and stabilize shorelines.
A Critical Biodiversity Habitat That is Under Imminent Threat
Mangroves are the nurseries to a significant portion of all marine life. Without urgent and robust intervention in their conservation, we face an imminent collapse of all marine ecosystems globally.
Many marine species are endangered due to overfishing. By building sustainable businesses in MagBay and eliminating overfishing, these animals can begin to recover their populations.
Abundant marine ecosystems depend particularly on conserving the bottom (mangroves) and top (sharks) trophic levels of the food chain.
Yet an estimated 50% of mangrove forests have been lost due to deforestation and 70-100 million sharks are killed each year for their fins, meat and liver oil.
The MarVivo Project Goals
MarVivo will work to eradicate deforestation and promote wildlife conservation while generating unique benefits for local communities. This will be done by establishing a network of mangrove conservation sites throughout the Eastern Pacific Seascape.
MarVivo cannot build a lasting solution alone. We forge partnerships with organizations that have complementary areas of expertise and involve local communities in all of our projects. Only by working together we can catalyze bigger impacts and generate sustainable solutions for our planet and our children.
MaVivo supports projects in local communities designed to address poverty, one of the main drivers of deforestation, and create new economic opportunities.
