In the Highland Plateau region, the lack of protection
is due to the scarcity of permanent freshwater ecosystems, a
result of their temporality typical for arid climates. This situation highlights
the need for an integrated ecosystemapproach in relation to public
policy and water management. Despite the presence of protected
areas in the Central Highlands and the Gulf of Mexico, unique freshwater
ecosystems are underrepresented in these regions. Both regions experience
high demand for hydric resources because of large populations
and high agricultural and industrial activity, which make the possibility
of establishing new protected areas very complicated