Local Partners

MEX

Mexico is considered a megadiverse country, as it is home to around 12% of the world’s species. It ranks third in the world in mammal diversity and second in reptile diversity, and is home to a rich natural and cultural heritage safeguarded by indigenous peoples and local communities. It is estimated that the country is home to more than 100,000 species of plants, fungi and animals; however, according to Mexican legislation, more than 2,600 species (including amphibians, birds, fungi, invertebrates, mammals, fish, plants and reptiles) are classified under some category of risk.

The Yucatan Peninsula, located in southeastern Mexico, has a great diversity of ecosystems ranging from tropical rainforests to coral reefs, petenes, mangroves, dunes, cenotes and ojos de agua, coastal lagoons, caves and subway rivers, among others. Nationally, the peninsula has 54% of Mexico’s mangroves and the largest continuous rainforest. However, all of these ecosystems are undergoing rapid deterioration due to human activities and climate change, with nearly 80% of the rainforests disturbed and only 22% of their territorial extension covered by mature vegetation, mainly concentrated in natural protected areas.

Tech4Nature Mexico, was born to strengthen the monitoring, conservation and understanding of the effects of climate change on ecosystems and priority species.  This includes threatened species such as the jaguar, spider monkey and other species in a protected area in the coastal zone of southeastern Mexico.

This is done through machine learning, data from eco-acoustic and camera-trap image monitoring. Moreover, this initiative harnesses the power and potential of multisector collaborations and community centered approaches to untap the biodiversity conservation protection of a key area of Latin America.  

This project is in partnership with local project partner C Minds, a women-led action tank that works in the intersection of new technologies, society and the environment, with a strong focus in Latin America. As well as with the Government of Yucatan and local Huawei’s Mexico Office, in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Yucatan and  Rainforest Connection.

Project Objectives