Deforestation is accelerating dramatically across Mérida, where trees are being scalped to make way for construction projects, which include houses, offices, streets, and commercial areas. Amid this rampant development, only 26 trees hold any legal protection within the city. Among these, the sacred ceiba tree, revered by the Mayan culture, has become increasingly rare; it was once commonplace just ten years ago, but now finding green spaces within urban sprawl is becoming more difficult.
State mandates dictate the preservation of at least 30% vegetation within new developments; nevertheless, construction continues at breakneck speed. Notably, 40 endemic trees were recently uprooted from the main plaza adjacent to the municipal palace during refurbishments financed by 120 million pesos, yet the city council has promised to plant new trees as part of this project.
Raúl Fernando Escalante Aguilar, director of the Environment and Animal Welfare Unit within the Mérida municipality, stressed the importance of the 26 protected trees. These trees are distinguished by their age, over 50 years, and height, standing more than 15 meters tall. "These are trees with immense historical value, and though surrounded by growing subdivisions, they continue to survive, serving as significant germplasm reservoirs," Escalante commented.
To promote the safeguarding of these trees, local authorities have initiated environmental awareness programs within the communities where these protected trees are located. Yet, the pace of construction looms continuously; new sites are popping up throughout Mérida every month. Escalante acknowledged, "Selecting just 26 trees for protection among the thousands needing it isn't adequate. Our primary engagement lies with construction companies. We have met with various developers, urging them to reach the 20% vegetation conservation target. This is especially important because we have areas with heightened temperatures due to the deficit of trees. For municipal construction permits, we require 20% conservation from each project."
The Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals (AMPI) categorizes large-scale real estate developments as vertical, horizontal, industrial, and commercial, among others. Despite the Yucatán State Real Estate Development Law stating each new project must preserve 30% for urban green spaces, the Mérida City Council only mandates 20%. Experts have raised concerns over the lack of adherence to either regulation by construction firms.
Dr. María Elena Torres Pérez, of the Autonomous University of Yucatán (UADY), noted the stark reality of urban expansion through deforestation: "Green areas are replaced by concrete literally overnight. Housing developments leave little to no green spaces. Typically, even large developments provide only 10% permeable area, mostly lack of vegetation. Massive deforestation is prevalent throughout Mérida." Dr. Torres’s observations are substantiated by the System for the Information of Changes of Forest Cover (SICAMFOR), which recorded Mérida's forest cover decreasing from 41,750 hectares in 2016 to 38,816 hectares by 2023—a 7.03% decline over the last seven years.
According to Greenpeace's report entitled “Reforesting Cities: Urban Areas and Their Impact on Health and Well-Being,” the 3-30-300 rule aims for citizens to see at least three trees from their homes, with developers providing 30% tree canopy cover per neighborhood and maintaining no more than 300 meters between homes and the nearest green space. While the designation of 26 protected trees is commendable, Dr. Torres expressed concerns about its insufficiency, recalling, "A biodiversity catalog existed back in 2012, identifying over 100 protected trees, many of which likely have disappeared by now."
Currently, there are 300 active real estate projects within Mérida, as confirmed by its executive vice president Claudia Pérez Aguilar. This includes occupied houses, apartments, offices, and warehouses available for lease or sale. By August 2023 alone, 203 new projects were completed, with 100 more added within just one year, based on AMPI records. The city’s industrial sector is concurrently advancing, particularly on the metropolitan fringes neighboring Umán and Kanasín, located 30 minutes and 20 minutes from Mérida, respectively.
Extensive deforestation is endangering various forms of wildlife, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. One such species facing extinction is the 'chop' lizard (Cachryx defensor), endemic to the region. Luis Fernando Díaz Gamboa, of the Yucatán Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Network, explained, "This lizard loses its habitat since it resides within tree trunks for shelter. Without their homes, these creatures face dire threats and vulnerability from humans living nearby."
Record temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius have been recorded throughout Mérida during 2023 and 2024—a trend specialists warn could worsen due to rampant deforestation. Dr. Gerardo Carrillo Niquete from the Scientific Research Center of Yucatán's Resource Unit observed rapid accelerations of temperature rise. He compares satellite images to identify areas experiencing significant vegetation loss. His studies, measuring temperatures between forested land and mere concrete, reveal differences of 16 degrees Celsius.
Following his findings, he asserts, “Deforestation creates urban heat islands which exacerbate heat conditions for residents.”
Dr. Celene Espadas Manrique, also affiliated with the research unit, notes, "It's common to find palm trees being planted just for aesthetic purposes. These provide minimal shading or cooling benefits against the intense heat of asphalt surfaces. We should instead cultivate trees suited to local climate and recognize vegetation as our primary ally against climate change."
Collectively, these insights highlight the pressing need for sustainable urban development practices to mitigate the impact of deforestation on both human comfort and biodiversity, as the soil nurtures not only our structures but the legacy of our shared environment.