Unidades para la conservación, manejo y aprovechamiento sustentable de la vida silvestre en México (UMA). Retos para su correcto funcionamiento

Las unidades de manejo de vida silvestre (UMA) innovaron el aprovechamiento de vida silvestre en Mexico y hay casos que muestran su viabilidad. Sin embargo, desde el punto de vista de la conservacion de la vida silvestre, los resultados de su operacion son poco convincentes. Las estadisticas sobre las especies manejadas actualmente indican que una alta proporcion de UMA tiene centrada su atencion en el manejo de especies de valor cinegetico, quedando desatendidas muchas otras especies de vida silvestre, que pueden ser afectadas por las acciones destinadas a favorecer a las poblaciones de especies con interes economico. En este sentido, identificamos algunas situaciones insatisfactorias y sus consecuencias que se convierten en retos para un mejor funcionamiento de la UMA, implementando estrategias para un mejor funcionamiento, con medidas que pudieran funcionar para redirigir el actual manejo de la vida silvestre con el fin de dar cumplimiento a los objetivos de conservacion de la biodiversidad. The concept of UMA (Units for conservation, management and sustainable use of wildlife) has become an innovate system for the wildlife management in Mexico and there are instances that show its viability. However, from the standpoint of wildlife conservation, the results of its operation are unconvincing. The statistics on species that are currently managed indicate that a high proportion of UMA have focused their attention on the management of valuable game species, therefore, many other wildlife species are neglected, those which may be affected by the actions aimed at boosting the populations of species that are of greatest interest encouraged by the economic dividends earned. In this regard, we identify some unsatisfactory situations and their consequences that become challenges for a better functioning of the UMA, including deficiencies in management plans, lack of reliability in the population estimates, weak monitoring, assessing the management impact on biodiversity, among others. However, it is possible to implement strategies for a better performance. In this regard we mention some measures that could operate to redirect the current wildlife management to fulfill the objectives of conserving biodiversity.