Revealing “Unequal Natures”—The Paradox of Water Vulnerability for People on the Periphery of Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Mexico

A striking imbalance exists between ecological conservation and socioeconomic development around the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Mexico. Despite being a UNESCO World Heritage Site with advanced conservation measures—such as management plans, advisory councils, and payments for ecosystem services—68% of households in adjacent communities face prolonged water scarcity, experiencing over 30 days annually without access to water. This paradox, revealed through household surveys and stakeholder interviews, underscores the structural mismatch between conservation efforts and local human well-being in protected areas.

Casanova-Madera, G., Rivera-Núñez, T., Schmook, B., Calmé, S., Molina-Rosales, D. O., & White, R. M. (2026). Revealing “Unequal Natures”—The Paradox of Water Vulnerability for People on the Periphery of Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Mexico. Land, 15(1), 124. https://doi.org/10.3390/land15010124