215
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
S. Lucatello et al. (eds.), Stewardship of Future Drylands and Climate
Change in the Global South, Springer Climate,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22464-6_13
Chapter 13
International Recognition
of the Biocultural Protection in Dryland
Regions: The World Heritage Property
in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere
Reserve
L. Vera and S. García
Abstract To know and deal with the current challenges of the socio-ecological
environment, it has been necessary the use of mechanisms to protect, preserve and
make visible the bioculturality of communities. These challenges are multidimensional and intersectoral, and relate to phenomena such as the increase in the intensity of natural phenomena, changes in the ecosystems, and the rapid loss of
biodiversity involving loss of ecosystem services, public health and economic spillover exacerbated by the population increase, and the pressure involved in the current development model. An example of a dryland region with socio-ecological
pressures such as those mentioned above is the case of the Tehuacan-Cuicatlán
Biosphere Reserve, with a World Heritage Mixed Property of UNESCO. Traces of
ancient communities have been found in this area that managed to adapt and evolve
within drylands. Since 1999 the area has been considered of great importance
because of its different schemes and instruments for conservation at the international, national, and local level. Above all, it is an important example of how international conventions urge to protect and preserve the identity of the people, their
ecosystem, and their ways of life in dryland regions.
Keywords Adaptation · Bioculturality · Dryland regions · World Heritage
L. Vera (*)
Instituto Mora, CONACYT, Mexico City, Mexico
S. García
Independent Consultant, Mexico City, Mexico
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
S. Lucatello et al. (eds.), Stewardship of Future Drylands and Climate
Change in the Global South, Springer Climate,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22464-6_13
Chapter 13
International Recognition
of the Biocultural Protection in Dryland
Regions: The World Heritage Property
in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere
Reserve
L. Vera and S. García
Abstract To know and deal with the current challenges of the socio-ecological
environment, it has been necessary the use of mechanisms to protect, preserve and
make visible the bioculturality of communities. These challenges are multidimensional and intersectoral, and relate to phenomena such as the increase in the intensity of natural phenomena, changes in the ecosystems, and the rapid loss of
biodiversity involving loss of ecosystem services, public health and economic spillover exacerbated by the population increase, and the pressure involved in the current development model. An example of a dryland region with socio-ecological
pressures such as those mentioned above is the case of the Tehuacan-Cuicatlán
Biosphere Reserve, with a World Heritage Mixed Property of UNESCO. Traces of
ancient communities have been found in this area that managed to adapt and evolve
within drylands. Since 1999 the area has been considered of great importance
because of its different schemes and instruments for conservation at the international, national, and local level. Above all, it is an important example of how international conventions urge to protect and preserve the identity of the people, their
ecosystem, and their ways of life in dryland regions.
Keywords Adaptation · Bioculturality · Dryland regions · World Heritage
L. Vera (*)
Instituto Mora, CONACYT, Mexico City, Mexico
S. García
Independent Consultant, Mexico City, Mexico