SUMMARY (1) The establishment phase of Neobuxbumia tetetzo, a giant columnar cactus dominant in the Tehuacan Valley central-southern Mexico, occurs mostly beneath canopies trees and shrubs which act as nurse plants. This pattern cannot be attributed to preferential seed dispersion, Neobuxbaumia fruits open while still on plant, dropping c. 1000 seeds fruit-1 randomly around parent plant. (2) An experimental field analysis germination survivorship cohorts under different environmental...

Mangroves are disappearing rapidly worldwide despite their well documented biodiversity and the ecosystem services they provide. Failure to link ecological processes societal benefits has favored highly destructive aquaculture tourism developments that threaten mangroves result in costly “externalities.” Specifically, potentially irreparable damage fisheries because of mangrove loss been belittled is greatly underestimated. Here, we show that, Gulf California, landings positively related...

No-take marine reserves are effective management tools used to restore fish biomass and community structure in areas depleted by overfishing. Cabo Pulmo National Park (CPNP) was created 1995 is the only well enforced no-take area Gulf of California, Mexico, mostly because widespread support from local community. In 1999, four years after establishment reserve, there were no significant differences between CPNP (0.75 t ha−1 on average) other protected or open access California. By 2009, total...

Abstract. The Zapotitlán de las Salinas valley, central Mexico, harbours a high diversity of cacti. Pattern analysis indicated that the establishment two columnar cacti, Neobuxbaumia tetetzo and Cephalocereus hoppenstedtii , three small globose Coryphantapallida, Mammillaria colina andM casoi is aggregated associated with perennial nurse shrubs. Some species, Castela tortuosa, Caesalpinia melanadenia Eupatorium spinosarum have higher number cacti beneath their canopies than would be expected...

The objective of this paper is to present a GIS-based multivariate application for land suitability assessment with public participation base. approach takes into account the issues and concerns stakeholders, employs statistical procedure classifying units groups, according sectoral interests. Sets spatial algorithms are incorporated GIS database identify such groups. A participatory planning workshop was carried out define set environmental attributes that determine land-use pattern, in...

Significance Despite their small height and stunted appearance, mangroves along the desert coasts of Baja California have compensated for sea-level rise during last two millennia by accreting on own root remains. In doing so, they accumulated very large amounts carbon in sediments (900–3,000 Mg C/ha), often higher than that under tall, lush, tropical mangrove forests. Mangroves represent largest sink per unit area Mexico’s northern drylands. Our results highlight global importance...

The seasonal timing of seed germination determines a plant's realized environmental niche, and is important for adaptation to climate. depends on patterns dormancy release or induction by cold interacts with flowering-time variation construct different life histories. To characterize the genetic basis climatic associations natural in chilling responses associated life-history syndromes, we selected 559 fully sequenced accessions model annual species Arabidopsis thaliana from across wide...

In 2000, transgenes were detected in local maize varieties (landraces) the mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico [Quist, D. & Chapela, I. H. (2001) Nature 414, 541–543]. This region is part Mesoamerican center origin for ( Zea mays L.), and genetic diversity that maintained open-pollinated landraces recognized as an important resource great cultural value. The presence was significant because transgenic has never been approved cultivation Mexico. Here we provide a systematic survey frequency...

The world's deserts represent unique ecosystems which support significant plant and animal biodiversity. Various human societies have also been established in throughout history, today are an important part of the natural cultural heritage. Deserts diverse landscapes, contrary to common notion vast swathes endless sand. This report provides a balanced picture deserts. It shows that they more than landscapes end result process desertification. urges policy-makers consider development...

Question: Although mangrove forests are generally regarded as highly threatened, some studies have shown that canopies in the Pacific coast of Mexico been increasing recent decades. We investigated possible causes driving this reported expansion. Location: The lagoons Magdalena Bay Baja California, Mexico. Methods: used 50-year-old aerial photographs and 24-year-old satellite images to compare long-term vegetation change, surveyed a coastal transect analyse flooding levels, compiled six...

Using publicly available data on land use and transportation corridors we calculated the human footprint index for whole of Mexico to identify large-scale spatial patterns in anthropogenic transformation surface. We developed a map country identified ecological regions that have most transformed by action. Additionally, analyzed extent which (a) physical geography, expressed spatially form biomes ecoregions, compared (b) historical as distribution past settlements, driven modification land....

En este trabajo se revisó la información bibliográfica existente sobre los manglares de México. El primer tema analizado es biogeografía, describiendo diversidad y composición las dos costas del país, así como límites su distribución. La distribución, fisonomía comunidades manglar están influidas por cambios latitudinales en temperatura precipitación, pero localmente dependen geomorfología, el substrato, salinidad, inundación relieve. Los estudios al presente sugieren que interacciones...

Comparison of free versus dammed tropical rivers reveals sediment trapping in dams has devastating consequences for estuaries.

Agave macroacantha can sexually reproduce by seeds and propagate vegetatively aerial bulbils ground‐level basal shoots rhizomes. It forms compact patches apparently generated the multiplication of offshoots. We experimentally evaluated establishment survival seedlings A. in Tehuacán Valley, Mexico, between 1991 1994 studied comparatively effectiveness sexual reproduction against vegetative propagation. Seedlings showed low rates. Cohorts placed outside nurse plants died less than 1 yr, while...

A field study was conducted in a semiarid basin located the Tehuacan Valley Central Mexico to determine effect of columnar cactus Neobuxbaumia tetetzo on growth and fecundity its nurse plant Mimosa luisana. The production leaves, modules (internodes), inflorescences fruits recorded shrubs M. luisana growing either isolation, or associated with small large cacti. association cacti evaluated for three size-classes shrubs. To test whether is likely replace plant, projection matrix used estimate...

This paper analyzes the correlation between leaf orientation and environmental conditions that prevail within biogeographic range of each four South American Larrea species (L. ameghinoi, L. cuneifolia, divaricata, nitida; Zygophyllaceae). Data on distribution were gathered from herbarium specimens. Measurements made throughout Monte Desert, in more detail northern Patagonia, where coexist. The direct solar radiation intercepted by unshaded leaves was estimated through a computer model...

Decisionmakers need updated, scientifically sound and relevant information to implement appropriate policy measures make innovative commitments halt biodiversity loss improve human well-being. Here, we present a recent science-based synthesis on the ecosystem services of Mexico, intended be tool for policymakers. We describe methodological approach used undertake such an assessment highlight major findings. Organized into five volumes originally written in Spanish (Capital Natural de...

To gauge the collateral impacts of fishing we must know where boats operate and how much they fish. Although small-scale fisheries land approximately same amount fish for human consumption as industrial fleets globally, methods estimating their effort are comparatively poor. We present an accessible, spatial method calculating based on two simple measures that available, or at least easily estimated, in even most data-poor fisheries: number local coastal population. illustrate using a case...

Seabird monitoring provides essential information on the state of marine ecosystems