Water resources conservation and rural livelihoods in protected areas of central Mexico

Protected Areas (PAs), such as Nevado de Toluca in central Mexico, have been created to protect forest and aquatic resources. PAs have been established in regions inhabited by rural and indigenous populations, based on political and technical criteria, and through top-down processes. PAs face challenges such as deforestation and biodiversity loss, inadequate management and unsustainable use of natural resources, and often insecurity of water access. The aim of this study is to evaluate the ecological status of streams within the Protected Area Nevado de Toluca, and to explore the relations between local communities and their protected rivers and streams. Stream ecological status was evaluated using physical, chemical and biological indicators, such as macroinvertebrates and algae, whereas local perspectives and relations to streams were explored through the analysis of data from a survey conducted in various communities. The results show that socio-economic diversity and ecological conditions challenge the current generalized conservation policies, even within the same geographic area. People inhabiting the studied communities are in a situation of generalized poverty; in such conditions, survival is the main objective. Degradation of local water bodies is caused by canalization, drainage from domestic use and removal of riparian vegetation. Water use and management are poorly addressed by PAs regulation and activities, while degradation of freshwater water sources in three of the studied communities has compromised water access, positioning water management as a central issue for ecological quality. Development of participatory community-specific protection and management programs for streams are needed, involving local communities, environmental professionals, and the federal government. Despite the current scenario, there is potential for adequate management of water bodies and monitoring of water quality by community people, through easily recognizable biological indicators, such as macroinvertebrates and algae.