About a decade ago, a small fishing community in southern Mexico noticed that the shrimp on which its economy depends were dying off. Climate change, increased deforestation and overfishing had pushed the ecosystem too far. The felling of trees upstream allowed sediment to flow freely, clogging waterways and causing oxygen levels in the estuary to plummet. That’s when the crocodiles come into the picture. Crocodiles are wetland engineers, and when they swim through the water, their movements stir up sediment that has settled at the bottom. This action aerates the water, improves oxygen levels, and keeps minerals and nutrients from settling and clogging the system. Historically, local communities have considered crocodiles as pest, but a project from Conservation International, the Global Environment Facility and the Mexican government is working to raise awareness about the critical role that crocodiles play in keeping the ecosystem healthy.
Read more about it on Conservation International.