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The properties adjacent to the Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve form part of a private conservation area representing approximately 7,000 hectares of medium forest and savannah that protects the wetlands and other important habitats. Along with creating wildlife corridors among adjacent properties and the Reserve, PPY aims to promote and to establish alliances with national and international research teams and government institutions to coordinate and to complement area investigations in order to learn more about the habitat and the species of the property; to determine strategies for its long-term protection and to stipulate the need of restoration of the habitat. On the other hand, the project seeks to involve the nearby communities, focusing on outreach, education and creation of opportunities for the sustainable use of the resources.

Within the property there are many different types of wetlands, including cenotes (freshwater springs from subterranean flows) and aguadas (temporary fresh-water lakes). There are also various petenes (elevated area of taller trees surrounded by seasonally flooded lower vegetation) where the chicozapote (Manilkara zapota) is found. One characteristic of the petenes is the abundance of epiphytes, especially bromelias and orchids.

Low forest wetlands are abundant in the property, a habitat that is often flooded several months of the year or may experience severe droughts (Clark, 1991). At the same time, we find a great variety in important tree species, including the endemic and threatened palma chit (Thrinax radiate) (INE, 1999) and more than 20 species of orchids, indicating that the forest is healthy and well established as most orchids require great lengths of time to grow and spread throughout the forest.

Apart from flora, a variety of important wildlife inhabits the property. There are crocodiles in the cenotes, while jaguars and pumas have attacked calves that once grazed on the ranch.

Hydrological Importance

The property falls within an area designated by CONABIO as a high grade priority hydrological region owing to the high degree of biodiversity and level of threat against the natural resources. The property is part of the unique hydrological system that is related to the Chicxulub crater, formed 65 million years ago by meteorite impact that left a semicircle of cenotes in the Northeast of the Yucatan peninsula. Freshwater subterranean rivers flow south to north and finally flow into the sea (Soto, 1997).

The hydrological characteristics of the property prove to be a crucial benefit to flora and fauna as much outside as within the site. There are various cenotes in the property that are an important source of freshwater for fauna (refer to the CONABIO website). The subterranean river that runs through the northeastern portion of the property also flows into in the mangroves of the Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, and is critical source of freshwater for this vegetation.

Maintaining the health of the Ria Lagartos Reserve mangroves is crucial, since they play an important role as gathering and breeding site of fish, mollusks and crustaceans. In addition, the mangroves are a critical habitat for several species of birds, including the Bare-Throated Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum), the Boat-Billed heron (Cochlearius cochlearius), the Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), and the threatened Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus) (INE, 1999). The acquisition of the property will help to assure that the subterranean river and the cenotes are protected from contamination and degradation.

Cultural and Historical Importance

The northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula holds great cultural importance, as it was once the residential area of pre-Hispanic cultures (refer to the RAMSAR website). In the property and the adjacent ejido (Nuevo León) there are vestiges of ancient Mayan ruins.
In the property there are several low platforms on which long-since lost dwellings were constructed. At present there are cattle grazing on the same partially buried archaeological sites. Unfortunately, the presence of the cattle has contributed to the rapid deterioration of the archaeological site.