Emily Nunez-Eddy

Mexico is considered a megadiverse country containing 10-12% of the worlds

biodiversity making it one of the most diverse in the world. With varying ecosystems
full of beautiful and interesting fauna and flora, Mexico stands above many countries in
their physical biodiversity. Similarly, Mexico is recognized worldwide as a country with a
strong, definite cultural identity. It is no surprise that Mexicos biodiversity and cultural
identity are so prevalent, as they are intricately connected and deeply related, stemming
back from some of the earliest settlements and colonizations in Mexico. As the
biodiversity in Mexico has changed, elements of Mexicos culture have changed as well,
paralleling one another.
When individuals think of Mexico, many immediately think of Mexican food.
Food is a very significant part of Mexican culture it is used to connect families,
represent religious holidays, and define different communities. Certain foods, such as
chocolate, tomato, maize, avocado, huitlacoche, and nopal are grown and harvested in
Mexico and used in daily life. The environment in Mexico allows for such agriculture to
flourish, connecting the biodiversity of the environment to the culture of food.
Another connection between biodiversity and cultural identity in Mexico is
related to religious and indigenous beliefs. The Aztecs, who originated in northern
Mexico and eventually dominated central Mexico, worshipped multiple deities, many of
which represented or were related to elements of the environment. The Aztecs
worshipped gods related to the weather, such as Tlaloc (the god of rainstorms) and
Tlaitecuhtli (Earth god). Other gods represented animals that the Aztecs saw in Mexico,

such as Mixcoatl, a snake-like god that represented war, while even more deities
represented food and aspects of Aztec culture that were related to the diversity of the
land, such as Cinteotl, the god of maize.

Certain Mexican holidays, such as Dia de los Muertos, which celebrates

individuals who have died, involve elements of the natural environment as well,
including traditional, homegrown food and flowers, such as marigolds. The geographical
location in Mexico alters the cultural celebrations of this holiday as well some involve
street parades, while others celebrate more privately. The differences in these cultural
celebrations are due to the different climate conditions in northern versus central versus
southern Mexico, further connecting cultural diversity to biodiversity.

There are many areas in Mexico that are considered Protected Natural Areas,
which are regulated and preserved by the federal government. The overwhelming
majority of these places are parks, biosphere reserves, flora and fauna areas, or natural
resource areas/sanctuaries further displaying Mexicos rich biodiversity. These areas,
including the Izta-Popo Zoquiapan National Park, El Jabal protected area of fauna and
flora, and Agua Azul Waterfalls, are among hundreds of unique and beautiful areas in
Mexico that draw in thousands of tourists yearly, contributing positively to Mexicos
economy. These protected areas not only benefit the environment by ensuring the
preservation of these ecosystems, but benefit the people who live in and around these
areas as well, and contribute about $3.4 billion dollars into the Mexican economy,
according to The Nature Conservancy and data from Mexicos National Protected Areas
Commission. These areas, with such significant biodiversity, are tangibly connected to

the cultural element of tourism in Mexico.

Unfortunately, not all areas in Mexico are protected with such diligence. The
biodiversity in Mexico is threatened in many cities, due to pollution, waste dumping,
deforestation, desertification, erosion, and land subsidence. This host of issues
significantly affects the fauna and flora in Mexico, depleting the resources that plants and
animals need to survive, leading to the endangerment and extinction of many species. In

the destruction and depletion of the environment and resources, the biodiversity of
Mexico decreases as well, in turn threatening the livelihood and existence of many
aspects of cultural identity.

Overall, cultural identity and biodiversity are connected and affect each other
significantly. Mexicos cultural identity is based on many aspects of the environment,
while the environment relies on being valued by the culture in order to remain preserved
and intact. Although steps have been taken to increase protection of biodiverse areas and
decrease harmful effects to the environment, further legislation and action must be taken
in order to ensure that the environment is preserved, therefore preserving cultural identity
as well. As stated previously, the physical environment in Mexico is intricately and
complexly related to the social, political, economic, and cultural health and environment
of the country.

WORKS CITED:
1. Ancient Aztec Religion. (n.d.). Retrieved November 27, 2015, from
http://www.aztec-history.com/ancient-aztec-religion.html
2. Biodiversity in Mexico. (n.d.). Retrieved November 27, 2015, from
http://www.southernportal.com/biodiversity.html
3. Current environmental issues in Mexico. (n.d.). Retrieved November 27, 2015, from
http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/151601
4. Dia de los Muertos. (2012, October 16). Retrieved November 27, 2015, from
http://education.nationalgeographic.org/media/dia-de-los-muertos/
5. Mexico's protected areas bring high return on investment. (n.d.). Retrieved
November 27, 2015, from
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/mexico/explore/m
exicos-protected-areas-bring-high-return-on-investment.xml
6. Natural Protected Areas. (n.d.). Retrieved November 27, 2015, from
http://www.visitmexico.com/en-i0/natural-protected-areas