ABSTRACT Zirahuen is among the youngest and clearest lakes in Mexico. It is situated at an elevation of 2075 m within the Mexican Neovolcanic Axis, which extends from east to west along the 19th parallel. Its primary economic activities include forestry, agriculture, tourism and fishing for indigenous species such as whitefish ( Chirostoma estor copandaro ). The drainage basin of Lake Zirahuen, like many Latin American hydrological basins, is under severe degradation due to deforestation, unsustainable farming and land‐use changes. These issues lead to soil erosion, siltation, reduced water storage capacity, and pollution from agrochemicals. Consequently, there is an increase in economic and social decline associated with poverty and marginalization. This study aims to evaluate the environmental and governance conditions of Lake Zirahuen, using extensive documentary research and fieldwork to verify structural variables and processes. A management and restoration plan is proposed to emphasize the preservation of this important Mexican aquatic ecosystem.
Chacón-Torres et al. (Thu,) studied this question.