Canals in Crisis | God's World News
Canals in Crisis
Science Soup
Posted: May 01, 2022

Tourists come from all over the world to see the canals of Xochimilco. They tour the swampy water in boats called trajineras. But these colorful boats do more than ferry tourists. They help preserve a historic habitat.

Habitat loss has nearly led to the extinction of the axolotl. The Xochimilco canals in Mexico City make up the only habitat axolotls know. To save the axolotls, Mexico City has to save the canals.

Just like the endangered amphibians, the canals have a history older than the nation of Mexico.

Before Spanish explorers arrived in Mexico, the land belonged to the Aztecs. The Aztecs built Xochimilco’s canals to connect the surrounding lakes. Floating farms built in the canals are called chinampas. Some locals still farm the chinampas today.

After taking over the city, the Spanish drained many of the canals. They did this to prevent flooding and to build roads. Creatures like the axolotl lost much of their home.

The canal water grew polluted with garbage and sewage over time. In 1987, the canals were made a protected World Heritage Site. That made it illegal to pollute the canals or build homes nearby. But people broke these laws.

Still, Mexico City hasn’t given up on these historic waterways.

Last year, Mexican scientists started using solar energy to help clean the water. Solar panels on top of tourist boats power underwater pumps. The pumps produce nanobubbles. These tiny balls of oxygen clean the water. They help the floating farms grow more food. They even give axolotls a healthier place to swim.

Science (and tourism!) might just save the smiling creature and this piece of history.