The karstic nature of the basement of the Yucatan Peninsula allows for thousands of different types of cenotes throughout the region. The word cenote means large and deep pit in Maya. They are karst depressions formed as a result of the collapse of the roof of caves or caverns that leave the air the water that runs through them. Can be open, semi-open, closed and caverns. The surrounding vegetation, which depends on the topography of the adjacent body of water and the type of soil and climate of the place field is composed of species of greatest perennifoliedad with many epiphytes, mainly bromeliads. The fauna is species not permanently inhabit the body of water, but living associated with it such as insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals that require the water system, either as a source of vital fluid and / or habitat somewhere of their life cycle. 

The aquatic fauna is a good indicator of environmental conditions cenote, since by their insulation characteristics of the species, particularly those that inhabit the caves have evolved adaptations to the conditions in which they live, can be sensitive to ecosystem degradation . Geological substrate features that allow the existence of cenotes also determine aquifer vulnerability to environmental degradation resulting from human activities on the surface. In addition to the ecological importance for systemic eco balance the plains of the north of the Yucatan Peninsula, the cenotes have cultural significance that persists to this day. 

The cenotes potential negative impacts are: discharges of pollutants from domestic, hospital, agricultural or industrial waste, ecosystem modifications or environment, overexploitation by frequent and continuous use of the water body for the purpose of extraction or recreation. Adaptations undertaken to facilitate access to the water surface, the removal of the surrounding vegetation, adaptations to prevent unwanted organisms from entering the cenote and caves as well as the installation of lights for illumination are examples of direct changes to cenote environment or ecosystem (From: Development Mechanism of payment for environmental services cenotes.

Currently the cenotes, despite its importance and uniqueness, are not defined under Mexican law. This causes a lack of clarity over the competition that different levels of government and various authorities have about what happens and is done in the cenotes. Besides a supportive environment for discretionary decision-making and approval of projects in and around cenotes is created. Also there is a lack of criteria to define the cenote as a body of national waters and therefore as a federal zone. 

The cenotes are increasingly used for tourism and recreational purposes, for water extraction are padded for the construction of buildings, their physical characteristics are transformed are used as illegal dumps or sewage discharge. Since it is not defined in the legislation, there are no policy instruments governing such actions. Attempts have been made to regulate the use of the cenotes at state and municipal level, but the instruments of public policy have generated a questionable legal basis. 

Having an appropriate legal framework to regulate the use, development, management and conservation of the cenotes is a key to preserving this unique water, tourism and landscape resource element in Mexico.

The cenotes represent mysticism of the birth of the earth and is a connection to the underworld, is an important element in the ages of the earth according to the Mayan culture, many Mexican cenotes have a severe impairment, the most important thing is to conservation action of these micro ecosystems.