Mexican forests are important because trees capture CO2 and that helps decrease climate change. On the other hand when forests are cut and burned they emit CO2.

 

The two factors that are affecting Mexican forests are deforestation and degradation (the cutting down of trees and the weakening of the forest ecosystem). More specifically, the problems that Mexican forests face are: plant extraction, illegal logging, land use change for agriculture, pests, animal extinction, and use of fertilizers. Scientists believe that 2-18% of mammals, 2-8% of birds, and 1-11% of butterflies will be extinct because of the planet's warming.

 

It is very likely that Mexico's forest will be replaced by savanna. Savanna's climate is much warmer and drier than forest climate.

Coastal tourism earns a large amout of the money for Mexico. With sea level rising, beach erosion, and big storms (hurricanes, tsunami), many tourists and employees will be affected. Tourist infrastructure like hotels, restaurants, roads, resorts, and cruise ships near the coast will suffer from climate change. By 2100 scientists estimate that the coastal region will rise 2.6-6.6 meters. 

 

Our oceans absorb 55% of carbon dioxide. This process makes our ocean's chemistry more acidic. This acidity hurts coral reefs and sea creatures which hurts the food chain. The decrease in fish affects fisherman and restaurants in Mexico.

 

One of the plants that lives near the Mexican coast are mangroves (tree-like shrub, 1-30 meters in height). Mangroves are a big help to stop flooding and to protect freshwater fish. Mangroves face many threats including clearing (for tourist development), overharvesting (they are used as firewood), and pollution (the chemicals from businesses suffocate their roots).

The problem in cities is that farmers and coastal populations will move to cities because of threats of huricanes and poverty.

 

Mexico also has a water problem. People can't get enough water because the aquifers (an underground well) has been decreasing because it gets used up faster than it naturally refills.