Mexico's Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) has had significant presence in the area over the years and its scientists have conducted important research. Among notable scientists include the brothers Javier and Roberto de la Masa who studied butterflies (De la Maza and De la Maza 1985). Rodrigo Medellín conducted one of the longest studies in the region on bats and small mammals. Alfredo Cuarón has studied monkeys and other fauna; botanist Miguel Martínez conducted studies on population ecology and communities of tropical flora in the region; Esteban Martínez along with other colleagues completed Selva Lacandona's floral inventory; Rodolfo Dirzo's research focused on the plant-animal interaction and tropical ecology (Medellín 1994; Martínez et al. 1994; Mendoza and Dirzo 1999; Martínez-Ramos et al. 2001).
Eduardo Iñigo is another expert in the region who has conducting monitoring studies on key species like the scarlet macaw and on birds of prey over the last ten years (Iñigo-Elias, 1996; Carreón et al. 2001). Another institution working in the zone is the Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR). Eduardo Naranjo studies ecology, ungulate conservation, and subsistence wildlife use. In the community of Lacanjá, Samuel Levy carries out agroecology projects using traditional Lacandon techniques. Rocío Rodiles studies fish populations in the Lacantún and Lacanjá Rivers (Naranjo 2002; Rodiles et al. 1996; Morales-Román and Rodiles et al. 2001).
ECOSUR's Conservation Biology Program has conducted several cartographical studies of Selva Lacandona using geographic information systems. From these, valuable information on deforestation rates, hydrology, vegetation types, and human settlements has been obtained (March and Flamenco 1996).
Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM) also works in the region. Its work is more interdisciplinary in nature and tends to deal directly with civil society organizations. They provide technical support and consulting services on social development programs. They focus on the area known as Marqués de Comillas (Cortez 1998).
Conservation International (CI) has worked in the Selva Lacandona and provided financing for key species such as the jaguar, scarlet macaw, and harpy eagle. They also monitor the area by conducting flyovers, and analyzing aerial photographs and satellite images. They estimate deforestation rates and maintain an important database. They also support community development projects, the most notable being "Escudo Jaguar" in Frontera Corozal (CI March 2003).
Recent CI publications include two compact discs: "La Selva Lacandona Tesoro de Biodiversidad en México" and "Selva Lacandona siglo XXI Estrategia Conjunta para la Conservación de la Biodiversidad" which mean "The Selva Lacandona: Mexico's Biodiversity Treasure" and "Selva Lacandona: 21st Century Joint Strategy for Biodiversity Conservation" respectively (CI - ECOSUR 2001; March 2003).
Mexico's Fund for Nature Conservation (Fondo Mexicano para la Conservación de la Naturaleza) finances organizations like Espacios Naturales y Desarrollo Sustentable and provides money for training projects and fire fighting equipment.
