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Tech4Nature Project Phase Two Marks a New Era for Conservation in Mexico

In a significant move towards biodiversity conservation, the second phase of the Tech4Nature project has been officially launched at the Tech4Nature Summit held in Merida, Mexico. This initiative, spearheaded by Huawei in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and local partners, aims to protect the endangered jaguar population within the Dzilam de Bravo state reserve and to study the effects of climate change on local biodiversity.

The Need for Biodiversity Protection

The Mexican environment is currently facing alarming degradation, with reports indicating that 42% of ecosystems within the country are threatened. Dr. Marina Robles García, the Deputy Secretary for Biodiversity and Environmental Restoration, emphasizes the urgent need for informed action and monitoring systems to combat these challenges. At the summit, she expressed the commitment of various stakeholders towards collective solutions, stating, "This is precisely what our alliance aims to address."

A Partnership for Change

Since the launch of Tech4Nature in 2020, a global initiative designed to enhance conservation success through technological innovation, many advancements have been made. Joaquín Díaz Mena, the Governor of Yucatán, highlighted that effective conservation cannot solely depend on goodwill or isolated policies. Instead, it requires a combination of rigorous science, community engagement, and concerted governmental efforts.

Due to the loss and fragmentation of habitats, jaguars have been classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. The first phase of the project installed 60 audio devices and over 20 camera traps within the Dzilam de Bravo state reserve. This cutting-edge system, driven by trained artificial intelligence models, has successfully mapped 147 species within the area, confirming the presence of nine jaguars.

Focus of Phase Two

The emphasis of this new phase is on collecting extensive data regarding the distribution of jaguar populations, aiding in the evolution of decision-making processes and improving the management of the reserve. This will contribute to creating a biological corridor essential for the species' survival. The project aims not only to monitor wildlife but also to generate actionable insights that can help enact meaningful conservation strategies.

Global Participation

The Tech4Nature Summit 2025 brought together a diverse group of experts, researchers, and conservation leaders worldwide to explore technology-driven conservation strategies. Huawei's Tao Jingwen stated that digital technology substantially streamlines the preservation of biodiversity, urging more partners to join the Tech4Nature initiative. The collaboration across various sectors is pivotal in making technology a cornerstone of global ecosystem preservation efforts.

In addition to Mexico, phase two Tech4Nature projects are also underway in Brazil, China, Spain, Kenya, and Türkiye, showcasing how various digital technologies like AI analysis cater to each unique ecosystem's specific needs. The second phase of the initiative represents an exciting shift, focusing on six countries to foster significant changes for species, ecosystems, and community welfare.

Specific Projects in Phase Two

• - Brazil: Investigating climate change impacts on Marajó Island and monitoring mangrove crabs as ecosystem health indicators.
• - China: Employing digital networking and AI analysis to track and support the repopulation efforts for the critically endangered Hainan gibbon, of which only 42 individuals remain.
• - Spain: Safeguarding the Bonelli's eagle in the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park using digital technology that evaluates visitor impact on breeding success.
• - Kenya: Enhancing monitoring in protected marine areas and coral reefs at the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park, focusing on challenges such as illegal fishing and the tourism effect on local species like the parrotfish.
• - Türkiye: Initiating groundbreaking collaborations between NGOs, private sectors, and governmental bodies to evaluate biodiversity protection, with a focus on large mammals in pilot areas.

Conclusion

The Tech4Nature Summit 2025 beautifully demonstrated that synergy among the technology sector, NGOs, governments, academic institutions, and local communities fosters a novel paradigm for biodiversity conservation. By merging technological innovation with conservation efforts, this initiative illuminates a path toward a sustainable future where nature is at the forefront of development decisions. The promise of the Tech4Nature project is not only for today but for generations to come, underlining the necessity of integrating technology in large-scale conservation.

For more information on Tech4Nature and its initiatives, visit Huawei TECH4ALL or follow Huawei on X at @HUAWEI_TECH4ALL.