Rescuing the Chinampería

Chinamperías are an ancient agricultural area that were built in shallow lakes in the Mexico Basin; they consist of man-made islands (called chinampas) traversed by canals. There’s archeological evidence that the first chinampas were made 5,000 years ago. Chinamperias that are still farmed in San Gregorio Atlapulco, a pueblo in the southern part of Mexico City, are between 1,200 and 2,000 years old. At one time, chinamperías covered between 22,000 and 24,000 acres. Today, only about 6,000 acres remain and less than half are used for farming. In addition to providing food and work, the chinampería contains 2 percent of the world’s—and 11 percent of Mexico’s—biodiversity. It’s home to the axolotl, the endangered Mexican salamander. Several species of migratory birds spend their winters there, and the area’s vegetation absorbs huge amounts of carbon. Were the chinampería to disappear, Mexico City’s temperature could rise by 4 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite its importance, its continued existence is threatened by Mexico City’s unregulated growth, pollution and the over-extraction of water.  I documented efforts to save this crucial area in Mexico City.