Conservation Project: Marismas Nacionales great birding spot

rodrigoalatorre · Newbie Joined: Apr 19, 2007 Posts: 7

Hello everyone. A few months ago I published a survey where you helped me do a research on economic valuation of the winter habitat for migratory bird species. With your help my thesis was made possible. Thank you very very very much to all of you. Well... after I finished doing my research two rural communities hired me for a similar job. These communities are Ejido Palma Grande and Ejido Los Murillo at the state of Nayarit, . Perhaps you've heard about this birding spot. Both of the ejidos (communal organized towns) are located at a huge wetland system called Marismas Nacionales. With the objective of preserving biodiversity on this site, we are developing birdwatching tours around the area. We need to know the financial viability of doing these tours; therefore we've created this small survey to measure some of the benefits. We invite you to complete this survey. It is absolutely confidential, we won’t keep record of your IP number and all the information will be used for this purpose. Please click on the following link to take the survey. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Mq1CXgYIuJ_2fac_2b45P6iMLQ_3d_3d Thank you very much for your time. Great birding!!

rodrigoalatorre · Newbie Joined: Apr 19, 2007 Posts: 7

Why is it important to collect this surveys?

Coastal Wetlands constitute an important natural resource to mankind. They are home and shelter of millions of species of birds, plants, amphibians, cetaceans, fishes, insects and plants. In the last century nearly 50 % of these ecosystems have disappeared and are now considered as one of the most endangered habitats. Identified causes of these losses are: conversion of land for agricultural activity, deviation of rivers, industrial contamination and unsustainable hunting/fishing among others.

Marismas Nacionales is considered by WHSRN as a site of hemispheric importance for the survivor of shorebird species, and is the second largest wetland area on . Perhaps you’ve already traveled to and maybe gone birding at San Blas.

For over 15 years “Ejido Palma Grande” and “Ejido Los Murillo” with a committee directed by the Ejido’s sherif have taken action against destruction of the mangrove. These actions include: reforesting, area patrolling, monitoring along with of biodiversity. Under the PSA-CABSA program, the area destined to protection, projected for the next 5 years, are 2329 ha.

With the idea of helping these communities with the cost of preservation, we are developing a birdwatchers tour market. Tour profits would be sent to the poor communities living around these coastal areas.

The purpose of this survey is to measure the financial viability of establishing this market