Conservation and Management of Ecosystems Within and Without Protected Natural Areas in Baja California, Mexico‪.‬

Abstract Mexico has several ways of preserving flora and fauna depending on geographical scale and land ownership. Until recently, fifty percent of the land was common property named "ejido", communal land and protected areas. Wildlife management and natural resources conservation practices occur in these types of land tenure. There is a gradient of land use intensities, from cities and agriculture lands to almost pristine sites. Eighty percent of Baja California is under a conservation or management policy. There is a regional plan for the whole state, and three plans for the coastal zone. Several public policies have been created for nature protection and management, as well as for creating social interest in environmental issues. Fifteen areas are considered priority for national conservation purposes (terrestrial and marine). Nature protection occurs in one biosphere reserve, three special biosphere reserves (all the islands), two national parks (in the mountains) and three areas for protection of natural resources (forests and desert vegetation). Wildlife management is conducted in thirty-four units (named UMAS) and around the buffer zones of the biosphere reserves. Nevertheless, this system does not work. Challenges include: highly modified and fragmented areas; endangered species and vegetation types; land tenure conflicts; several cultural exotic practices; and, lack of natural areas in cities and agricultural fields. We present an updated plan for the conservation and management of Baja California landscapes, ecosystems, communities and natural resources. We also present our own landscape scale design for the conservation and management of wildlife. Two main strategies have to be followed to reach conservation aims regardless of legal status, that is: within and without protected areas.