Environmental and socio-economic sustainability ofchinampas(raised beds) in Xochimilco, Mexico City

Greenhouses, while more profitable and diverse, cannot replace the irreplaceable ecosystem services provided by chinampas in Xochimilco, Mexico City. A study comparing both systems using the MESMIS framework found that greenhouses, though economically advantageous, lead to significant environmental degradation—including tree cover loss and canal filling—while relying heavily on external inputs and subsidies. Chinampas, traditionally used for staple crops but now shifted toward commercial horticulture, offer sustainable food production without such dependencies. However, their long-term viability depends on urgent compensation mechanisms for ecosystem services. The research integrated farm-level surveys with GIS techniques, providing a comprehensive valuation framework that could guide future sustainability policies.

Merlín-Uribe, Y., González-Esquivel, C. E., Contreras-Hernández, A., Zambrano, L., Moreno-Casasola, P., & Astier, M. (2012). Environmental and socio-economic sustainability ofchinampas(raised beds) in Xochimilco, Mexico City. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 11(3), 216–233. https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2012.726128