The oasis of Cuatro Cienegas, Mexico
The ancient oasis of Cuatro Cienegas is the most important wetland in Mexico’s Chihuahuan Desert. The wetland contains many important species endemic to the area, and the geological uniqueness of the region can help scientists study climate change, the origin of Earth, and the probability of life on Mars. Farmers have undertaken agricultural activity, including alfalfa cultivation, in the wetland for hundreds of years. However, estimates suggest that since 1985, around 40% of surface pools and lagoons have disappeared as a result of agricultural activity.
The decline of the water bodies in the Cuatro Cienegas oasis is visible in these Copernicus Sentinel-2 images acquired in March 2017 and March 2024.
The Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites deliver key information for the accurate monitoring of bodies of water across Earth, even in remote areas.
