Oaxaca’s dry forests are ecosystems uniquely adapted to extreme conditions, enduring prolonged periods without rain by shedding leaves and storing water in deep roots. This resilience contributes to Oaxaca’s standing as one of Mexico’s most biodiverse states, with its dry forests hosting the country’s largest variety of reptiles and amphibians and 722 plant species found nowhere else on Earth.
However, these tropical dry forests face mounting pressures from unsustainable land use, making them among the most degraded ecosystems globally. In Mexico, over 70 per cent of such forests have already been lost or transformed for agriculture, threatening biodiversity and the livelihoods of nearly 11 million people affected by land degradation.
Agave cultivation in Oaxaca’s Central Valleys has long shaped both the landscape and local livelihoods, underpinning the production of mezcal. The global surge in demand for mezcal over the last decade led to rapid expansion of agave production, which in some areas caused unsustainable land-use practices, monocultures, and forest loss. Between 1995 and 2022, agave plantations accounted for 62 per cent of forest loss in certain parts of Oaxaca. Despite these challenges, Oaxaca produced over 90 per cent of Mexico’s mezcal in 2023, highlighting the region’s economic dependence on agave.
Local producers have observed the environmental impacts of intensive agave cultivation. Gladys Sanchez, an agave farmer and member of the women’s collective Las Guardianas des Mezcal, noted that forest clearance for agave plots has had significant ecological consequences. Las Guardianas and similar collectives now advocate for sustainable land-use practices, supporting local producers in restoring degraded landscapes and promoting environmentally responsible agave production.
A project funded by the Global Environment Facility, led by UNEP and implemented by Pronatura Sur, provides training, legal support, business planning, and marketing assistance to producer collectives. Through agroforestry, soil and water conservation, and the use of native species, 157 producers have strengthened sustainable land management and restored agave ecosystems. Changes in production practices include reusing water, using dead wood for distillation, and leaving some agave plants to flower and seed, supporting natural regeneration.
Community-led restoration initiatives have established protected areas, planted native species, built water retention structures, and installed wooden perches to encourage seed-dispersing wildlife. These efforts have improved habitats, supported rich biodiversity—including felines, over 90 bird species, and key pollinators—and enhanced ecosystem resilience.
The project contributes to Mexico’s commitment to restoring 30 per cent of degraded land by 2030 and 50 per cent by 2050, in line with global targets under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. For farmers and mezcal producers, restored dry forests ensure sustainable livelihoods while preserving Oaxaca’s biodiversity. UNEP emphasizes that recovery in both agave cultivation and forest ecosystems is gradual, requiring long-term commitment to build resilience for communities and nature alike.
