2021 |
Díaz-Álvarez, E A; Martínez-Zavaleta, J P; López-Santis, E E; de la Barrera, E; Larsen, J; del-Val, E Climate change can trigger fall armyworm outbreaks: a developmental response experiment with two Mexican maice landraces Journal Article International Journal of Pest Management, 2021. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: agricultural pests, agriculture, food security, herbivory, larvae @article{Díaz-Álvarez2021b, title = {Climate change can trigger fall armyworm outbreaks: a developmental response experiment with two Mexican maice landraces}, author = {E. A. Díaz-Álvarez and J. P. Martínez-Zavaleta and E. E. López-Santis and E. de la Barrera and J. Larsen and E. del-Val}, doi = {10.1080/09670874.2020.1869347}, year = {2021}, date = {2021-01-04}, journal = {International Journal of Pest Management}, abstract = {Maize is one of the most important crops in the world, particularly in Mexico where it was domesticated and is central to traditional cultures. The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda [J.E. Smith]), is a major pest that can greatly reduce production of this crop. Climate change also threatens maize production, as projections estimate an increase of fall armyworm outbreaks. For these reasons, (1) we assessed the changes in the S. frugiperda life cycle along a temperature gradient ranging from 23 °C to 31 °C, and (2) assessed the development of larvae feeding on two Mexican landraces and the responses of each landrace to herbivory under current and predicted climatic conditions; both assessments were conducted under laboratory conditions. Development was faster and each life cycle stage was shorter at higher temperatures. The effect of herbivory differed between the landraces; herbivory was more harmful for White Ranchero than for Yellow. As warmer and drier conditions are expected during this century, sowing appropriate maize landraces that can cope with herbivores under climate change could mitigate potential economic losses.}, keywords = {agricultural pests, agriculture, food security, herbivory, larvae}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Maize is one of the most important crops in the world, particularly in Mexico where it was domesticated and is central to traditional cultures. The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda [J.E. Smith]), is a major pest that can greatly reduce production of this crop. Climate change also threatens maize production, as projections estimate an increase of fall armyworm outbreaks. For these reasons, (1) we assessed the changes in the S. frugiperda life cycle along a temperature gradient ranging from 23 °C to 31 °C, and (2) assessed the development of larvae feeding on two Mexican landraces and the responses of each landrace to herbivory under current and predicted climatic conditions; both assessments were conducted under laboratory conditions. Development was faster and each life cycle stage was shorter at higher temperatures. The effect of herbivory differed between the landraces; herbivory was more harmful for White Ranchero than for Yellow. As warmer and drier conditions are expected during this century, sowing appropriate maize landraces that can cope with herbivores under climate change could mitigate potential economic losses. |
2020 |
Briones, O; Reyes-García, C; Díaz-Álvarez, E A; Tinoco-Ojanguren, C; de la Barrera, E; Andrade, J L A few islands of preliminary research among a sea of unknown: moving plant ecophysiology forward in megadiverse countries Journal Article Botanical Sciences, 98 (98), pp. 212-216, 2020. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: atmospheric pollution, climate change, drought, ecophysiology, environmental productivity index, epiphytes, food security @article{Briones2020, title = {A few islands of preliminary research among a sea of unknown: moving plant ecophysiology forward in megadiverse countries}, author = {O. Briones and C. Reyes-García and E. A. Díaz-Álvarez and C. Tinoco-Ojanguren and E. de la Barrera and J. L. Andrade}, url = {http://botanicalsciences.com.mx/index.php/botanicalSciences/article/view/2546}, doi = {10.17129/botsci.2546}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-03-11}, journal = {Botanical Sciences}, volume = {98}, number = {98}, pages = {212-216}, abstract = {A principal intention of ecological sciences is to explain biodiversity: why are some species and not others found in certain places. As an experimental science, plant ecophysiology focuses on the interactions among plants, the environment, and other biological species. In this context, the VII Mexican Ecology Congress focused on "addressing the complexity of nature." Some examples of how ecophysiology can address said complexity were discussed during the symposium.}, keywords = {atmospheric pollution, climate change, drought, ecophysiology, environmental productivity index, epiphytes, food security}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } A principal intention of ecological sciences is to explain biodiversity: why are some species and not others found in certain places. As an experimental science, plant ecophysiology focuses on the interactions among plants, the environment, and other biological species. In this context, the VII Mexican Ecology Congress focused on "addressing the complexity of nature." Some examples of how ecophysiology can address said complexity were discussed during the symposium. |
de la Barrera, E; Villalvazo-Figueroa, E A; Díaz-Álvarez, E A (Ed.) Como agua pa'l antropoceno: manual para el planeta con recetas, relatos y ciencia Book Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, 2020, ISBN: 978-1-08-736989-1. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: anthropocene, food security, seguridad alimentaria @book{delaBarrera2020, title = {Como agua pa'l antropoceno: manual para el planeta con recetas, relatos y ciencia}, editor = {E. de la Barrera and E. A. Villalvazo-Figueroa and E. A. Díaz-Álvarez }, url = {http://Antropoceno.mx/ https://www.amazon.com.mx/dp/1087369894/ }, isbn = {978-1-08-736989-1}, year = {2020}, date = {2020-01-01}, publisher = {Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad}, abstract = {Hace 30 años, Laura Esquivel nos regaló su novela, «Como agua para chocolate», que aquí celebramos con 15 recetas y 15 ensayos. En este libro, 35 autores nos comparten su amor por la vida, por el planeta y, sobre todo, por la comida. Esta obra era necesaria y urgente en una época en la que son evidentes los efectos nocivos de las acciones humanas sobre el medio ambiente. Nuestro impacto ha sido tal, que los científicos ya hablan de una nueva épocageológica, el Antropoceno, cuyo inicio se remonta a la mitaddel siglo 20 y se puede fechar tanto por los rastros de la detonación de bombas nucleares, como por los restos óseos de incontables pollos que yacen en los basureros de todo el planeta. El conflicto entre la humanidad y la naturaleza surge de nuestra certeza de ser ajenos a ella. Pero eso es una percepción errónea. Los humanos somos parte integral de la naturaleza: de ella surgimos, con ella seguimos evolucionando y gracias a ella y a su biodiversidad, ha sido posible la existencia misma de nuestras diversas civilizaciones y culturas. Una vía para restablecer el vínculo perdido con la naturaleza es la comida. Después de todo, la comida también es biodiversidad, desde el maíz de las tortillas y las verduras del caldo, hasta la carne asada del fin de semana. Además, todas las personas comemos tres veces al día, o deberíamos poder hacerlo. Es así que, a través de distintas ensaladas, sopas, platos fuertes y postre, presentamos estas reflexiones sobre el estado del planeta. Y es que al considerar el origen, el uso y la sostenibilidad de ingredientes tan diversos como el nopal y las bellotas silvestres, pasando por verdolagas, zanahorias, papas, chapulines y otros artrópodos (considerados por muchos como el futuro de la alimentación humana), hasta el camarón, el pollo y la res, traemos a la mesa temas tan urgentes como el cambio de uso de suelo y el calentamiento global, ese que tiene al planeta «como agua para chocolate», pero no en el sentido recreativo. Esperamos convencer a los lectores de que replanteando nuestra relación con la comida, podemos contribuir a mejorar al mundo y avanzar hacia un estado en el que la humanidad y la naturaleza vuelvan a ser indistinguibles. }, keywords = {anthropocene, food security, seguridad alimentaria}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {book} } Hace 30 años, Laura Esquivel nos regaló su novela, «Como agua para chocolate», que aquí celebramos con 15 recetas y 15 ensayos. En este libro, 35 autores nos comparten su amor por la vida, por el planeta y, sobre todo, por la comida. Esta obra era necesaria y urgente en una época en la que son evidentes los efectos nocivos de las acciones humanas sobre el medio ambiente. Nuestro impacto ha sido tal, que los científicos ya hablan de una nueva épocageológica, el Antropoceno, cuyo inicio se remonta a la mitaddel siglo 20 y se puede fechar tanto por los rastros de la detonación de bombas nucleares, como por los restos óseos de incontables pollos que yacen en los basureros de todo el planeta. El conflicto entre la humanidad y la naturaleza surge de nuestra certeza de ser ajenos a ella. Pero eso es una percepción errónea. Los humanos somos parte integral de la naturaleza: de ella surgimos, con ella seguimos evolucionando y gracias a ella y a su biodiversidad, ha sido posible la existencia misma de nuestras diversas civilizaciones y culturas. Una vía para restablecer el vínculo perdido con la naturaleza es la comida. Después de todo, la comida también es biodiversidad, desde el maíz de las tortillas y las verduras del caldo, hasta la carne asada del fin de semana. Además, todas las personas comemos tres veces al día, o deberíamos poder hacerlo. Es así que, a través de distintas ensaladas, sopas, platos fuertes y postre, presentamos estas reflexiones sobre el estado del planeta. Y es que al considerar el origen, el uso y la sostenibilidad de ingredientes tan diversos como el nopal y las bellotas silvestres, pasando por verdolagas, zanahorias, papas, chapulines y otros artrópodos (considerados por muchos como el futuro de la alimentación humana), hasta el camarón, el pollo y la res, traemos a la mesa temas tan urgentes como el cambio de uso de suelo y el calentamiento global, ese que tiene al planeta «como agua para chocolate», pero no en el sentido recreativo. Esperamos convencer a los lectores de que replanteando nuestra relación con la comida, podemos contribuir a mejorar al mundo y avanzar hacia un estado en el que la humanidad y la naturaleza vuelvan a ser indistinguibles. |
2019 |
de la Barrera, E; Villalvazo-Figueroa, E A; Díaz-Álvarez, E A; SegAlim, C 4T don't stand for tacos: An analysis of food and environmental security considerations in the new Mexican government's agricultural agenda Journal Article F1000 Research, 8 , pp. 1768, 2019, ISSN: 2046-1402. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: agricultural policy, evidence-based policy, food security, human security, public policy, socioecological systems, sustainability, sustainable development goals @article{delaBarrera2019b, title = {4T don't stand for tacos: An analysis of food and environmental security considerations in the new Mexican government's agricultural agenda}, author = {E. de la Barrera and E. A. Villalvazo-Figueroa and E. A. Díaz-Álvarez and C. SegAlim}, doi = {10.12688/f1000research.20934.1}, issn = {2046-1402}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-10-17}, journal = {F1000 Research}, volume = {8}, pages = {1768}, abstract = {On his first day in office, on 1 December 2018, freshman President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) delivered a speech outlining 100 policy priorities of his administration. The present study analyzed the contributions of this government’s program relating to food security and their environmental implications, and whether they contributed to strengthen the state or improved human security, considering that the poor and marginalized were at the center of AMLO's campaign. In total 45 policy priorities were geared to consolidate the state, while 55 contributed to improving human security. Only six were related to food security, including stipends to food producers and purchasing grains at guaranteed prices, a fertilizer distribution program and subsidies for cattle husbandry and fisheries/aquaculture. These programs contributed to advancing 10 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, especially those related to Zero Hunger and Reduced Inequalities. Various policy programs had explicit considerations towards climate change and land degradation, including the exclusion of natural protected areas from agricultural subsidies, and recognized that food production is vulnerable to climate change. The four agricultural programs analyzed may advance AMLO’s goal of avoiding food imports, while curbing rural poverty. However, available evidence is mixed regarding animal acquisition loans, which are likely to have adverse environmental outcomes. Finally, the program for developing agroforestry operations is already contributing to deforestation, and further ecosystem degradation is most likely to occur from the introduction of timber and fruit species to natural forests as this program does not preclude the inclusion of recently cleared plots. If human development goals are to be reached, along with fulfilling the international commitments on sustainable development and environmental conservation, policies need to be implemented that simultaneously tend to a booming transnational industry, while bringing forward the rural poor, who amount to nearly half of the country's population. }, keywords = {agricultural policy, evidence-based policy, food security, human security, public policy, socioecological systems, sustainability, sustainable development goals}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } On his first day in office, on 1 December 2018, freshman President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) delivered a speech outlining 100 policy priorities of his administration. The present study analyzed the contributions of this government’s program relating to food security and their environmental implications, and whether they contributed to strengthen the state or improved human security, considering that the poor and marginalized were at the center of AMLO's campaign. In total 45 policy priorities were geared to consolidate the state, while 55 contributed to improving human security. Only six were related to food security, including stipends to food producers and purchasing grains at guaranteed prices, a fertilizer distribution program and subsidies for cattle husbandry and fisheries/aquaculture. These programs contributed to advancing 10 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, especially those related to Zero Hunger and Reduced Inequalities. Various policy programs had explicit considerations towards climate change and land degradation, including the exclusion of natural protected areas from agricultural subsidies, and recognized that food production is vulnerable to climate change. The four agricultural programs analyzed may advance AMLO’s goal of avoiding food imports, while curbing rural poverty. However, available evidence is mixed regarding animal acquisition loans, which are likely to have adverse environmental outcomes. Finally, the program for developing agroforestry operations is already contributing to deforestation, and further ecosystem degradation is most likely to occur from the introduction of timber and fruit species to natural forests as this program does not preclude the inclusion of recently cleared plots. If human development goals are to be reached, along with fulfilling the international commitments on sustainable development and environmental conservation, policies need to be implemented that simultaneously tend to a booming transnational industry, while bringing forward the rural poor, who amount to nearly half of the country's population. |
2018 |
Orozco-Martínez, R; de la Barrera, E Can germination requirements predict tolerance to extreme weather? — An assessment for heirloom maize from the P'urhépecha Plateau Journal Article International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 20 (9), pp. 2039-2044, 2018. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: agriculture, cereal, climate change, domestication, drought, ecophysiology, food security, germination, maize @article{Orozco-Martínez2018, title = {Can germination requirements predict tolerance to extreme weather? — An assessment for heirloom maize from the P'urhépecha Plateau}, author = {R. Orozco-Martínez and E. de la Barrera }, url = {http://www.fspublishers.org/Issue.php?categoryID=158 http://agro.mx/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/045-OrozcoMtz-delaBarrera-maize-germination.pdf}, doi = {10.17957/IJAB/15.0727}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-07-27}, journal = {International Journal of Agriculture and Biology}, volume = {20}, number = {9}, pages = {2039-2044}, abstract = {The temperature and water potential requirements for seed germination were determined for five heirloom maizes from three different agroclimatological regions from the P'urhépecha community of San Francisco Pichátaro, Michoacán, Mexico. Germination experiments were conducted in environmental controlled chambers exposing seeds to day/night air temperatures (12 h photoperiod) of 15/5, 20/10, or 35/25ºC, and to water potentials of 0, –0.01, –0.05, –0.1, or –0.5 MPa, which were created with aqueous solutions of polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 20,000). Germination was maximal and occurred at a faster rate for seeds incubated at 35/25ºC. In turn, a high water potential of 0.0 or –0.01 MPa was necessary to achieve maximum germination, which decreased under more negative water potentials until germination was completely inhibited for seeds incubated under –0.5 MPa failed. Although an environmental specialization for germination was not observed among the heirloom maize evaluated, their ability to germinate maximally under high temperatures is indicative of their cultivation potential under the increasing air temperatures expected to occur during the present century. In contrast, germination sensitivity to relatively mild water potentials may be a conservative ecophysiological trait of drought-escape for this tropical annual plant.}, keywords = {agriculture, cereal, climate change, domestication, drought, ecophysiology, food security, germination, maize}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The temperature and water potential requirements for seed germination were determined for five heirloom maizes from three different agroclimatological regions from the P'urhépecha community of San Francisco Pichátaro, Michoacán, Mexico. Germination experiments were conducted in environmental controlled chambers exposing seeds to day/night air temperatures (12 h photoperiod) of 15/5, 20/10, or 35/25ºC, and to water potentials of 0, –0.01, –0.05, –0.1, or –0.5 MPa, which were created with aqueous solutions of polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 20,000). Germination was maximal and occurred at a faster rate for seeds incubated at 35/25ºC. In turn, a high water potential of 0.0 or –0.01 MPa was necessary to achieve maximum germination, which decreased under more negative water potentials until germination was completely inhibited for seeds incubated under –0.5 MPa failed. Although an environmental specialization for germination was not observed among the heirloom maize evaluated, their ability to germinate maximally under high temperatures is indicative of their cultivation potential under the increasing air temperatures expected to occur during the present century. In contrast, germination sensitivity to relatively mild water potentials may be a conservative ecophysiological trait of drought-escape for this tropical annual plant. |
2017 |
Inglese, P; Liguori, G; de la Barrera, E Ecophysiology and reproductive biology of cultivated cacti Book Chapter Inglese, P; Mondragón, C; Nefzaoui, A; Sáenz, C (Ed.): Chapter 4, pp. 29-41, FAO & ICARDA, 2017. Links | BibTeX | Tags: climate change, food security, fruit, gas exchange, opuntia, reproductive ecophysiology @inbook{Inglese2017, title = {Ecophysiology and reproductive biology of cultivated cacti}, author = {P. Inglese and G. Liguori and E. de la Barrera }, editor = {P. Inglese and C. Mondragón and A. Nefzaoui and C. Sáenz}, url = {http://agro.mx/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/042-Inglese-et-al-2017-1.pdf http://www.fao.org/publications/card/en/c/6cb6bff1-66f3-4d2e-92cc-c58130c1f9dc/}, year = {2017}, date = {2017-03-26}, pages = {29-41}, publisher = {FAO & ICARDA}, chapter = {4}, keywords = {climate change, food security, fruit, gas exchange, opuntia, reproductive ecophysiology}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {inbook} } |
2016 |
de la Barrera, E COP-eration for global food security Journal Article F1000Research, 5 , pp. 2814, 2016. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: agriculture, biodiversity, food security, public policy, science communication @article{delaBarrera2016b, title = {COP-eration for global food security}, author = {E. de la Barrera}, url = {https://f1000research.com/articles/5-2814}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-12-05}, journal = {F1000Research}, volume = {5}, pages = {2814}, abstract = {Mexico is hosting the 13th Conference of the Parts (COP-13) on the Convention on Biological Diversity. Participants will have another opportunity to "integrate biodiversity for wellbeing." Considering that food production is a major driver for the loss of biological diversity, despite the fact that ample genetic reservoirs are crucial for the persistence of agriculture in a changing world, food can be a conduit for bringing biodiversity into people's minds and government agendas. If this generation is going to "live in harmony with nature," as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets indicate, such an integration needs to be developed between the agricultural and environmental sectors throughout the world, especially as an increasingly urban civilization severs its cultural connections to food origin.}, keywords = {agriculture, biodiversity, food security, public policy, science communication}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Mexico is hosting the 13th Conference of the Parts (COP-13) on the Convention on Biological Diversity. Participants will have another opportunity to "integrate biodiversity for wellbeing." Considering that food production is a major driver for the loss of biological diversity, despite the fact that ample genetic reservoirs are crucial for the persistence of agriculture in a changing world, food can be a conduit for bringing biodiversity into people's minds and government agendas. If this generation is going to "live in harmony with nature," as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets indicate, such an integration needs to be developed between the agricultural and environmental sectors throughout the world, especially as an increasingly urban civilization severs its cultural connections to food origin. |
de la Barrera, E; Orozco-Martínez, R Socio-ecological considerations on the persistence of Mexican heirloom maize Journal Article Maydica, 61 (4), pp. M36, 2016. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: climate change, food security, maize, orphan crops, risk assessment @article{delaBarrera2016, title = {Socio-ecological considerations on the persistence of Mexican heirloom maize}, author = {E. de la Barrera and R. Orozco-Martínez}, url = {http://agro.mx/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/61_4_36.pdf http://www.maydica.org/articles/61_4_36.pdf http://agro.mx/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Maydica-61-4-M36-Apendix-1.pdf}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-12-02}, journal = {Maydica}, volume = {61}, number = {4}, pages = {M36}, abstract = {The vulnerability of 59 Mexican landraces of maize was assessed in relation to five socio-ecological factors, namely, social and economic marginalization, association with indigenous peoples, high biodiversity regions, environmental suitability for cultivation, and climate change effects. The most marginalized states had the highest number of landraces, 80% of which were found in predominantly or substantially indigenous municipalities. While only one third of 152 regions of high biodiversity had collection records, 47 landraces had at least one collection record in these regions. Eleven races can be cultivated in at least 10% of the Mexican territory, while 13 can occupy less than 1% under current environmental conditions. Given a projected temperature increase of 0.5 oC and a 5% reduction in annual precipitation, 66% of the landraces could disappear during the current decade. A normalized Vulnerability Index was constructed (can have values from 0.00 for non-threatened landraces to 1.00 for the most vulnerable) that averaged 0.76 ± 0.02 for the 59 landraces. The most vulnerable third of the landraces were threatened by being from a region of low marginalization combined with a limited potential distribution both under current conditions and under the climate change scenario considered.}, keywords = {climate change, food security, maize, orphan crops, risk assessment}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The vulnerability of 59 Mexican landraces of maize was assessed in relation to five socio-ecological factors, namely, social and economic marginalization, association with indigenous peoples, high biodiversity regions, environmental suitability for cultivation, and climate change effects. The most marginalized states had the highest number of landraces, 80% of which were found in predominantly or substantially indigenous municipalities. While only one third of 152 regions of high biodiversity had collection records, 47 landraces had at least one collection record in these regions. Eleven races can be cultivated in at least 10% of the Mexican territory, while 13 can occupy less than 1% under current environmental conditions. Given a projected temperature increase of 0.5 oC and a 5% reduction in annual precipitation, 66% of the landraces could disappear during the current decade. A normalized Vulnerability Index was constructed (can have values from 0.00 for non-threatened landraces to 1.00 for the most vulnerable) that averaged 0.76 ± 0.02 for the 59 landraces. The most vulnerable third of the landraces were threatened by being from a region of low marginalization combined with a limited potential distribution both under current conditions and under the climate change scenario considered. |
2015 |
Guerrero-Jiménez, Z D; de la Barrera, E Short-term drought responses by seedlings of three maizes along an environmental gradient in Michoacán, Mexico Journal Article Maydica, 60 (2), pp. M017, 2015. Links | BibTeX | Tags: climate change, drought, ecophysiology, food security, maize @article{delaBarrera2015, title = {Short-term drought responses by seedlings of three maizes along an environmental gradient in Michoacán, Mexico}, author = {Z. D. Guerrero-Jiménez and E. de la Barrera}, url = {http://agro.mx/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/036-Guerrero-dlB-Maydica-html.pdf }, year = {2015}, date = {2015-12-17}, journal = {Maydica}, volume = {60}, number = {2}, pages = {M017}, keywords = {climate change, drought, ecophysiology, food security, maize}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
Érick de la Barrera — Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México