Climate

Aztec methods and crocodiles: How biologists are restoring mangroves in Mexico

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 30/10/2026, 17:24:24 UTC.

Briefings

In 2017, biologist Omar Trujillo Santos successfully guided a juvenile Morelet's crocodile into the Alvarado Lagoons System in Veracruz, Mexico, to complete a mangrove restoration project led by REVIVE. This initiative aims to use Aztec-inspired planting methods combined with crocodiles to rebuild mangrove ecosystems, which Mexico faces as the region's highest mangrove loss in the Americas. The project has reportedly resulted in a fully restored forest, though the evidence is limited to a single documented event and a preprint study.

Key points

• In 2017, biologist Omar Trujillo Santos guided a juvenile Morelet's crocodile into the Alvarado Lagoons System in Veracruz, Mexico to complete a mangrove restoration project led by REVIVE.
• The project aims to use Aztec-inspired planting methods combined with crocodiles to rebuild mangrove ecosystems, which Mexico faces as the region's highest mangrove loss in the Americas.

Context

This article reports on a conservation effort in Mexico where mangrove restoration projects are using crocodiles to maintain ecosystems. Mexico has experienced the highest degree of mangrove loss in the Americas, and efforts seek to reverse this loss through techniques like Aztec-inspired planting methods. The project aims to restore not just trees, but the mangrove ecosystem as a whole.

Limitations

Evidence is limited to a single documented event in 2017 and a preprint study from 2026. Specific numbers, dates, and geographic locations beyond the Alvarado Lagoons System are not fully supported. The success of the technique remains unverified beyond the reported outcome.

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