{"id":167513,"date":"2025-01-31T14:07:06","date_gmt":"2025-01-31T20:07:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/?p=167513"},"modified":"2025-02-20T12:13:05","modified_gmt":"2025-02-20T18:13:05","slug":"how-to-save-the-axolotl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/biotechnology\/how-to-save-the-axolotl\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Save the mexican Axolotl? Start by Restoring Their Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Axolotls are among the most iconic creatures in popular culture today<\/strong>, but that doesn\u2019t mean their survival is secure<\/a>. In fact, their only natural habitat\u2014the lake system of Xochimilco\u2014is rapidly deteriorating. Saving them from extinction will only be possible by restoring the lake itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ambystoma mexicanum<\/em> \u2014the axolotl\u2019s scientific name\u2014 is native to these freshwater ecosystems, which have been severely impacted by pollution, urban expansion, and the introduction of invasive species<\/strong> such as carp, tilapia, and water hyacinths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn 1998, there were about 6,000 axolotls per square kilometer, but in the census we\u2019re conducting now, we can barely find any,\u201d says Vania Mendoza<\/strong><\/a>, a master of science at the Ecological Restoration Laboratory<\/a> of the Institute of Biology<\/a> (IB, in Spanish) at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM, in Spanish).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vania Mendoza is part of the Ecological Restoration Laboratory (LRE). Since its foundation in 2002, its objective has been to investigate socio-ecosystems’ dynamics to develop scientific lines for their management and restoration. (Photo: Courtesy of LRE)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In 2014, the last census conducted by UNAM found only 36 axolotls per square kilometer. The current count is still underway, but the numbers are likely even lower today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s shocking how many tilapia and carp we find instead of axolotls,\u201d Mendoza says. \u201cOver the past few years, the situation has gotten significantly worse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest challenges in conserving this species is the shifting land use of the chinampas\u2014historical agricultural plots in the lake. Instead of being used for traditional farming, many are being converted into soccer fields or event venues, which are far more profitable for landowners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To address this issue, researchers launched Chinampa Refugio<\/a>, a project that merges scientific research with traditional chinampa farming to restore the Xochimilco ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPeople must understand that the axolotl cannot survive without Xochimilco, and Xochimilco cannot thrive without the axolotl,\u201d Mendoza explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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