2023
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
In: International Journal of Pest Management, vol. 69, iss. 2, pp. 184-192, 2023.
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 = {2023},
date = {2023-03-26},
urldate = {2023-03-26},
journal = {International Journal of Pest Management},
volume = {69},
issue = {2},
pages = {184-192},
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.
2021
Martínez, D. N.; Díaz-Álvarez, E. A.; de la Barrera, E.
Selecting biomonitors of atmospheric nitrogen deposition: guidelines for practitioners and decision makers Journal Article
In: Nitrogen, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 308-320, 2021, ISSN: 2504-3129.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: atmospheric pollution, environmental indicators, environmental management, planetary boundaries, public health, public policy
@article{Martínez2021b,
title = {Selecting biomonitors of atmospheric nitrogen deposition: guidelines for practitioners and decision makers},
author = {D. N. Martínez and E. A. Díaz-Álvarez and E. de la Barrera },
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3129/2/3/21},
doi = {10.3390/nitrogen2030021},
issn = {2504-3129},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-07-12},
journal = {Nitrogen},
volume = {2},
number = {3},
pages = {308-320},
abstract = {Environmental pollution is a major threat to public health and is the cause of important economic losses worldwide. Atmospheric nitrogen deposition is one of the most significant components of environmental pollution, which, in addition to being a health risk, is one of the leading drivers of global biodiversity loss. However, monitoring pollution is not possible in many regions of the world because the instrumentation, deployment, operation, and maintenance of automated systems is onerous. An affordable alternative is the use of biomonitors, naturally occurring or transplanted organisms that respond to environmental pollution with a consistent and measurable ecophysiological response. This policy brief advocates for the use of biomonitors of atmospheric nitrogen deposition. Descriptions of the biological and monitoring particularities of commonly utilized biomonitor lichens, bryophytes, vascular epiphytes, herbs, and woody plants, are followed by a discussion of the principal ecophysiological parameters that have been shown to respond to the different nitrogen emissions and their rate of deposition.},
keywords = {atmospheric pollution, environmental indicators, environmental management, planetary boundaries, public health, public policy},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Environmental pollution is a major threat to public health and is the cause of important economic losses worldwide. Atmospheric nitrogen deposition is one of the most significant components of environmental pollution, which, in addition to being a health risk, is one of the leading drivers of global biodiversity loss. However, monitoring pollution is not possible in many regions of the world because the instrumentation, deployment, operation, and maintenance of automated systems is onerous. An affordable alternative is the use of biomonitors, naturally occurring or transplanted organisms that respond to environmental pollution with a consistent and measurable ecophysiological response. This policy brief advocates for the use of biomonitors of atmospheric nitrogen deposition. Descriptions of the biological and monitoring particularities of commonly utilized biomonitor lichens, bryophytes, vascular epiphytes, herbs, and woody plants, are followed by a discussion of the principal ecophysiological parameters that have been shown to respond to the different nitrogen emissions and their rate of deposition.
Díaz-Álvarez, E. A.; de la Barrera, E.
Influence of land-use on the C and N status of a C4 invasive grass in a semi-arid region: implications for biomonitoring Journal Article
In: Plants, vol. 10, pp. 942, 2021.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: atmospheric pollution, biomonitoring, buffel grass, carbon, global ecology, invasive species, nitrogen, pollution, Sonora, stable isotopes
@article{Díaz-Álvarez2021bb,
title = {Influence of land-use on the C and N status of a C4 invasive grass in a semi-arid region: implications for biomonitoring},
author = {E. A. Díaz-Álvarez and E. de la Barrera },
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/5/942},
doi = {10.3390/plants10050942},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-05-09},
journal = {Plants},
volume = {10},
pages = {942},
abstract = {Biomonitoring of atmospheric pollution is an increasingly accepted practice. However, most existing biomonitors are usually epiphytic species from mesic environments. This work assessed the suitability of buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris), an invasive C4 grass in northwestern Mexico, as a biomonitor, by means of the spatial distribution of the carbon and nitrogen content and isotopic signatures for grass samples collected from urban, agricultural, and natural areas throughout the state of Sonora. We found the highest tissue carbon content of 45.6% (on a dry weight basis) and highest nitrogen content of 3.31% for buffelgrass from the Yaqui Valley. We also found the lowest δ13C of −15.9‰, and the highest δ15N of 16.7‰ in the same region. In contrast, the lowest carbon and nitrogen content of 39.4 and 1.49% were found for Bahía de Kino and Río Sonora mountains, respectively. The lowest δ15N of 2.18‰ and the highest δ13C of −13.7‰ were measured for two remote locations. These results show the influence that pollutant emissions, including agriculture and transportation, have on elemental and isotopic composition of vegetation. Buffelgrass is most adequate for tracking carbon and nitrogen emissions in arid environments and for determining alterations on nitrogen soil reactions, as a first approximation for saturation.},
keywords = {atmospheric pollution, biomonitoring, buffel grass, carbon, global ecology, invasive species, nitrogen, pollution, Sonora, stable isotopes},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Biomonitoring of atmospheric pollution is an increasingly accepted practice. However, most existing biomonitors are usually epiphytic species from mesic environments. This work assessed the suitability of buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris), an invasive C4 grass in northwestern Mexico, as a biomonitor, by means of the spatial distribution of the carbon and nitrogen content and isotopic signatures for grass samples collected from urban, agricultural, and natural areas throughout the state of Sonora. We found the highest tissue carbon content of 45.6% (on a dry weight basis) and highest nitrogen content of 3.31% for buffelgrass from the Yaqui Valley. We also found the lowest δ13C of −15.9‰, and the highest δ15N of 16.7‰ in the same region. In contrast, the lowest carbon and nitrogen content of 39.4 and 1.49% were found for Bahía de Kino and Río Sonora mountains, respectively. The lowest δ15N of 2.18‰ and the highest δ13C of −13.7‰ were measured for two remote locations. These results show the influence that pollutant emissions, including agriculture and transportation, have on elemental and isotopic composition of vegetation. Buffelgrass is most adequate for tracking carbon and nitrogen emissions in arid environments and for determining alterations on nitrogen soil reactions, as a first approximation for saturation.
2020
Díaz-Álvarez, E. A.; de la Barrera, E.
Isotopic biomonitoring of anthropic carbon emissions in a megalopolis Journal Article
In: PeerJ, vol. 8, pp. e9283, 2020, ISSN: 2167-8359.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: atmospheric pollution, biomonitoring, biomonitors, stable isotopes, Tillandsia, urban ecology
@article{Díaz-Álvarez2020b,
title = {Isotopic biomonitoring of anthropic carbon emissions in a megalopolis},
author = {E. A. Díaz-Álvarez and E. de la Barrera},
doi = {10.7717/peerj.9283},
issn = {2167-8359},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-05-29},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {8},
pages = {e9283},
abstract = {Atmospheric pollution has become a serious threat for human health and the environment. However, the deployment, operation, and maintenance of monitoring networks can represent a high cost for local governments. In certain locations, the use of naturally occurring plants for monitoring pollution can be a useful supplement of existing monitoring networks, and even provide information when other types of monitoring are lacking. In this work, we i) determined the tissue carbon content and the δ13C values for the epiphytic CAM bromeliad Tillandsia recurvata and the relationship of both parameters with the existing CO concentrations in the Valley of Mexico basin, and ii) mapped the spatial distribution of such elemental and isotopic composition for this plant within the basin, in order to assess its potential as an atmospheric biomonitor of carbon monoxide, a pollutant with important repercussions on public health. The CO concentrations in the basin ranged from 0.41 ppm at rural locations to 0.81 ppm at urban sites. The carbon content of T. recurvata which averaged 42.9 ± 0.34% (dry weight), was not influenced by the surrounding CO concentration. In contrast, the δ13C depended on the sites where the plants were collected. For example, the values were ‒13.21‰ in rural areas and as low as –17.47‰ in an urban site. Indeed, the isotopic values had a positive linear relationship with the atmospheric CO concentrations. Given the close relationship observed between the isotopic composition of T. recurvata with the CO concentrations in the Valley of Mexico, the δ13C values can be useful for the detection of atmospheric carbonaceous emissions.},
keywords = {atmospheric pollution, biomonitoring, biomonitors, stable isotopes, Tillandsia, urban ecology},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Atmospheric pollution has become a serious threat for human health and the environment. However, the deployment, operation, and maintenance of monitoring networks can represent a high cost for local governments. In certain locations, the use of naturally occurring plants for monitoring pollution can be a useful supplement of existing monitoring networks, and even provide information when other types of monitoring are lacking. In this work, we i) determined the tissue carbon content and the δ13C values for the epiphytic CAM bromeliad Tillandsia recurvata and the relationship of both parameters with the existing CO concentrations in the Valley of Mexico basin, and ii) mapped the spatial distribution of such elemental and isotopic composition for this plant within the basin, in order to assess its potential as an atmospheric biomonitor of carbon monoxide, a pollutant with important repercussions on public health. The CO concentrations in the basin ranged from 0.41 ppm at rural locations to 0.81 ppm at urban sites. The carbon content of T. recurvata which averaged 42.9 ± 0.34% (dry weight), was not influenced by the surrounding CO concentration. In contrast, the δ13C depended on the sites where the plants were collected. For example, the values were ‒13.21‰ in rural areas and as low as –17.47‰ in an urban site. Indeed, the isotopic values had a positive linear relationship with the atmospheric CO concentrations. Given the close relationship observed between the isotopic composition of T. recurvata with the CO concentrations in the Valley of Mexico, the δ13C values can be useful for the detection of atmospheric carbonaceous emissions.
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
In: Botanical Sciences, vol. 98, no. 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.; Aguirre-Pérez, I. A.; Ibarra-Otero, B. A.; Villalvazo-Figueroa, E. A.; Díaz-Álvarez, E. A.
No country for new seeds: Food and environmental security implications of Mexico's intended ban on GM crops Journal Article
In: Transgenic Research, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 156-170, 2020.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: agroecology, biodiversity, biosafety, climate change, public policy, science policy
@article{delaBarrera2020b,
title = {No country for new seeds: Food and environmental security implications of Mexico's intended ban on GM crops},
author = {E. de la Barrera and I. A. Aguirre-Pérez and B. A. Ibarra-Otero and E. A. Villalvazo-Figueroa and E. A. Díaz-Álvarez},
url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11248-019-00186-7},
doi = {10.1007/s11248-019-00186-7},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-02-03},
journal = {Transgenic Research},
volume = {29},
number = {1},
pages = {156-170},
abstract = {An intended generalized ban on the "introduction and use of transgenic seeds" has been announced by the Mexican government, which, unlike the other agricultural programs under this administration, lacks a budget and rules of operation. In this policy brief we consider scenarios of implementing such an intended ban, de-regulating the use of genetically modified crops, or an intermediate scenario under the existing biosafety regulations. We recommend maintaining the status quo given its potential contributions to food and environmental security, in addition to a better economic outlook. However, a greater impulse needs to be given by the federal government to foment the domestic development of GM crops that are pertinent for Mexican agri-food needs, in addition to funding the development and implementation of various agro-ecological practices that increase biodiversity in food production units.},
keywords = {agroecology, biodiversity, biosafety, climate change, public policy, science policy},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
An intended generalized ban on the "introduction and use of transgenic seeds" has been announced by the Mexican government, which, unlike the other agricultural programs under this administration, lacks a budget and rules of operation. In this policy brief we consider scenarios of implementing such an intended ban, de-regulating the use of genetically modified crops, or an intermediate scenario under the existing biosafety regulations. We recommend maintaining the status quo given its potential contributions to food and environmental security, in addition to a better economic outlook. However, a greater impulse needs to be given by the federal government to foment the domestic development of GM crops that are pertinent for Mexican agri-food needs, in addition to funding the development and implementation of various agro-ecological practices that increase biodiversity in food production units.
Díaz-Álvarez, E. A.; de la Barrera, E.; Barrios-Hernández, E. Y.; Arróniz-Crespo, M.
Morphophysiological screening of potential organisms for biomonitoring nitrogen deposition Journal Article
In: Ecological Indicators, vol. 108, pp. 105729, 2020, ISSN: 1470-160X.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: atmospheric pollution, CAM, global change, Latin America, Mexico, neotropical, nitrogen
@article{Díaz-Álvarez2020,
title = {Morphophysiological screening of potential organisms for biomonitoring nitrogen deposition},
author = {E. A. Díaz-Álvarez and E. de la Barrera and E. Y. Barrios-Hernández and M. Arróniz-Crespo},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X19307228},
doi = {10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.105729},
issn = {1470-160X},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-06},
journal = {Ecological Indicators},
volume = {108},
pages = {105729},
abstract = {The intensification of different anthropic activities has led to a doubling of the emitted reactive nitrogen species since the second half of the XX century, resulting in the increase of nitrogen deposition. This poses a major threat to global biodiversity. However, in developing countries the monitoring of atmospheric deposition has shown to be difficult. For these reasons, the aim of this study was to assess, by means of a greenhouse dose-response experiment, the biomonitoring potential of two mosses, Braunia secunda and Thuidium delicatulum, and two epiphytic bromeliads, Tillandsia recurvata and Tillandsia usneoides, which are widely distributed in Latin America. A significant increase of the phosphomonoesterase activity was observed for the mosses, particularly under a High-nitrogen treatment, a parameter that decreased for the bromeliads. In turn, the nitrate reductase activity decreased over the course of the experiment for the mosses, but it remained almost unchanged for both tillandsias. While the nitrogen content for the mosses increased, it fluctuated for the bromeliads. Braunia secunda became greener under the Low-nitrogen than under the other treatments, while the coloration for T. delicatulum turned to brown under all treatments. The tillandsias remained visually unchanged under all treatments. The mosses had a clear response to the simulated nitrogen deposition, with B. secunda being more tolerant than T. delicatulum. Neither tillandsia presented a clear response to the treatments. Thus, the moss B. secunda is a very suitable species for biomonitoring nitrogen deposition, while the other species evaluated were deemed unsuitable.},
keywords = {atmospheric pollution, CAM, global change, Latin America, Mexico, neotropical, nitrogen},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The intensification of different anthropic activities has led to a doubling of the emitted reactive nitrogen species since the second half of the XX century, resulting in the increase of nitrogen deposition. This poses a major threat to global biodiversity. However, in developing countries the monitoring of atmospheric deposition has shown to be difficult. For these reasons, the aim of this study was to assess, by means of a greenhouse dose-response experiment, the biomonitoring potential of two mosses, Braunia secunda and Thuidium delicatulum, and two epiphytic bromeliads, Tillandsia recurvata and Tillandsia usneoides, which are widely distributed in Latin America. A significant increase of the phosphomonoesterase activity was observed for the mosses, particularly under a High-nitrogen treatment, a parameter that decreased for the bromeliads. In turn, the nitrate reductase activity decreased over the course of the experiment for the mosses, but it remained almost unchanged for both tillandsias. While the nitrogen content for the mosses increased, it fluctuated for the bromeliads. Braunia secunda became greener under the Low-nitrogen than under the other treatments, while the coloration for T. delicatulum turned to brown under all treatments. The tillandsias remained visually unchanged under all treatments. The mosses had a clear response to the simulated nitrogen deposition, with B. secunda being more tolerant than T. delicatulum. Neither tillandsia presented a clear response to the treatments. Thus, the moss B. secunda is a very suitable species for biomonitoring nitrogen deposition, while the other species evaluated were deemed unsuitable.
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.
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
In: F1000 Research, vol. 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.
Díaz-Álvarez, E. A.; de la Barrera, E.
Drying protocol does not alter plant δ13C and δ15N: a baseline survey for ecological studies Journal Article
In: Isotopes in Environmental & Health Studies, vol. 55, pp. 526-531, 2019.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: atmospheric pollution, biomonitoring, ecophysiology, microwave, stable isotopes
@article{Díaz-Álvarez2019c,
title = {Drying protocol does not alter plant δ13C and δ15N: a baseline survey for ecological studies},
author = {E. A. Díaz-Álvarez and E. de la Barrera},
doi = {10.1080/10256016.2019.1673747},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-10-09},
journal = {Isotopes in Environmental & Health Studies},
volume = {55},
pages = {526-531},
abstract = {The use of stable isotopes in plant ecological studies has become widespread over the past few decades, given the potential of this tool for integrating physiological processes within an individual and allowing to track ecosystem-wide processes at various scales, with applications ranging from determining past meteorological conditions and potential adaptations of ecosystems to climate change, to biomonitoring studies of atmospheric pollution. However, the drying protocol might alter the isotopic signatures of plant samples given that high temperatures can volatilize various organic compounds or delay the halting of physiological processes at lower drying temperatures. We thus evaluated the effect of four drying protocols on the carbon and nitrogen isotopic signatures for 23 species of plants. In particular, leaves were either freeze dried, placed in a herbarium drying stove (ca. 50 ºC), in a gravity convection oven (80 ºC), or microwaved (900 Watts) in 2-minute pulses, until constant weight. For each species, neither treatment led to significantly different δ13C values, which ranged from ‒31.7‰ to ‒12.4‰. The δ15N values of 21 of the species considered were not affected by the drying protocols, ranging from ‒11.6‰ to ‒8.8‰. For Tillandsia makoyana, significant differences were observed between the freeze dried and the microwaved samples and between the freeze dried samples and those dried at 50 ºC for Macroptilium gibbosifolium. },
keywords = {atmospheric pollution, biomonitoring, ecophysiology, microwave, stable isotopes},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The use of stable isotopes in plant ecological studies has become widespread over the past few decades, given the potential of this tool for integrating physiological processes within an individual and allowing to track ecosystem-wide processes at various scales, with applications ranging from determining past meteorological conditions and potential adaptations of ecosystems to climate change, to biomonitoring studies of atmospheric pollution. However, the drying protocol might alter the isotopic signatures of plant samples given that high temperatures can volatilize various organic compounds or delay the halting of physiological processes at lower drying temperatures. We thus evaluated the effect of four drying protocols on the carbon and nitrogen isotopic signatures for 23 species of plants. In particular, leaves were either freeze dried, placed in a herbarium drying stove (ca. 50 ºC), in a gravity convection oven (80 ºC), or microwaved (900 Watts) in 2-minute pulses, until constant weight. For each species, neither treatment led to significantly different δ13C values, which ranged from ‒31.7‰ to ‒12.4‰. The δ15N values of 21 of the species considered were not affected by the drying protocols, ranging from ‒11.6‰ to ‒8.8‰. For Tillandsia makoyana, significant differences were observed between the freeze dried and the microwaved samples and between the freeze dried samples and those dried at 50 ºC for Macroptilium gibbosifolium.
Díaz-Álvarez, E. A.; de la Barrera, E.; Arciga-Pedraza, A.; Arróniz-Crespo, M.
Bryophyte enzymatic responses to atmospheric nitrogen deposition: A field validation for potential biomonitors Journal Article
In: The Bryologist, vol. 122, no. 3, pp. 396-403, 2019.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: atmospheric pollution, biomonitors, moss, pollution, urban ecology
@article{Díaz-Álvarez2019b,
title = {Bryophyte enzymatic responses to atmospheric nitrogen deposition: A field validation for potential biomonitors},
author = {E. A. Díaz-Álvarez and E. de la Barrera and A. Arciga-Pedraza and M. Arróniz-Crespo},
doi = {10.1639/0007-2745-122.3.396},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-08-19},
journal = {The Bryologist},
volume = {122},
number = {3},
pages = {396-403},
abstract = {The monitoring of atmospheric nitrogen deposition is necessary considering that this kind of environmental pollution is among the leading causes of global biodiversity loss. However, deploying and operating monitoring networks can be cost-prohibitive; the use of naturally occurring biomonitors can be a viable alternative for characterizing such nitrogenous pollution, with bryophytes being of particular promise. For instance, a previous dose-response greenhouse experiment evaluating potential biomonitors of different life-forms revealed that the activities of the enzymes phosphomonoesterase and nitrate reductase respond linearly to simulated nitrogen deposition for the generalist neotropical moss Braunia secunda. The present work is the field validation of B. secunda and Leptodontium pungens, a specialist of oak forests, as biomonitors of nitrogen deposition. Moss samples were collected during the 2009 dry and rainy seasons from fir and oak forests at ‘‘low-pollution’’ or ‘‘high-pollution’’ sites within the Valley of Mexico, where the megalopolis of Mexico City is located, and transported to the laboratory for colorimetric determinations of enzymatic activity. The phosphomonoesterase activity was consistently higher for both mosses from the high-pollution sites than for the low-pollution sites, while the nitrate reductase had a lower activity for the plants collected from the high-pollution sites. These results suggest that the proposed biomonitors are appropriate for the region of study.},
keywords = {atmospheric pollution, biomonitors, moss, pollution, urban ecology},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The monitoring of atmospheric nitrogen deposition is necessary considering that this kind of environmental pollution is among the leading causes of global biodiversity loss. However, deploying and operating monitoring networks can be cost-prohibitive; the use of naturally occurring biomonitors can be a viable alternative for characterizing such nitrogenous pollution, with bryophytes being of particular promise. For instance, a previous dose-response greenhouse experiment evaluating potential biomonitors of different life-forms revealed that the activities of the enzymes phosphomonoesterase and nitrate reductase respond linearly to simulated nitrogen deposition for the generalist neotropical moss Braunia secunda. The present work is the field validation of B. secunda and Leptodontium pungens, a specialist of oak forests, as biomonitors of nitrogen deposition. Moss samples were collected during the 2009 dry and rainy seasons from fir and oak forests at ‘‘low-pollution’’ or ‘‘high-pollution’’ sites within the Valley of Mexico, where the megalopolis of Mexico City is located, and transported to the laboratory for colorimetric determinations of enzymatic activity. The phosphomonoesterase activity was consistently higher for both mosses from the high-pollution sites than for the low-pollution sites, while the nitrate reductase had a lower activity for the plants collected from the high-pollution sites. These results suggest that the proposed biomonitors are appropriate for the region of study.
Díaz-Álvarez, E. A.; Felix, J. D.; de la Barrera, E.
Elemental and isotopic assessment for Colombian orchids from a montane cloud forest: a baseline for global environmental change Journal Article
In: Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, vol. 41, no. 6, pp. 99, 2019.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: biodiversity, CAM, ecophysiology, epiphytes, global change, nitrogen, orchid, photosynthesis, stable isotopes
@article{Díaz-Álvarez2019,
title = {Elemental and isotopic assessment for Colombian orchids from a montane cloud forest: a baseline for global environmental change},
author = {E. A. Díaz-Álvarez and J. D. Felix and E. de la Barrera},
url = {https://rdcu.be/bCRG6},
doi = {10.1007/s11738-019-2893-y},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-05-16},
journal = {Acta Physiologiae Plantarum},
volume = {41},
number = {6},
pages = {99},
abstract = {Orchidaceae is the largest family of plants, reaching its maximum diversity in Colombia where 4000 species have been registered. One particular ecosystem with high diversity of orchids is the tropical montane cloud forest characterized by high humidity and low air temperatures. However, due to anthropic pressure such as land use change its area has been reduced. This is not the only anthropic disturbance that can affect the continuity of this forest and orchids, climate change and nitrogen deposition also become threats. By means of elemental composition and isotopic measurements of carbon and nitrogen, we determined the photosynthetic pathway for orchids from a tropical cloud forest in Colombia, for which, we also evaluated the nutritional status of nitrogen and its relationship with atmospheric deposition. We found 46 species from 18 genera; of these, 19 species were epiphytic, 9 lithophytic and 18 terrestrials. The carbon content was not significantly different among the species evaluated, averaging 46.4 ± 0.41% (dry weight). In turn, only one terrestrial orchid had a nitrogen content above 2.2%, averaged 1.4 ± 0.07% for the remaining 45 species. The δ13C that averaged − 28.1 ± 0.4‰ for 45 species was typical of C3 plants, while only one species, whose δ13C of 18.8‰ can be considered CAM. The δ15N values for 44 orchids were negative, in total they ranged from − 8.1 to 4.5‰. It can be concluded that the temperatures in this area are not yet high enough to produce a noticeable change in photosynthesis as evidenced by the carbon content of orchids, however, the expected rise would bring harmful consequences for these populations of orchids, especially when considering that these orchids were collected at the highest altitudinal range of the region. Moreover, the rates of nitrogen deposition are not high enough yet to leave a significant signal in the vegetation.},
keywords = {biodiversity, CAM, ecophysiology, epiphytes, global change, nitrogen, orchid, photosynthesis, stable isotopes},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Orchidaceae is the largest family of plants, reaching its maximum diversity in Colombia where 4000 species have been registered. One particular ecosystem with high diversity of orchids is the tropical montane cloud forest characterized by high humidity and low air temperatures. However, due to anthropic pressure such as land use change its area has been reduced. This is not the only anthropic disturbance that can affect the continuity of this forest and orchids, climate change and nitrogen deposition also become threats. By means of elemental composition and isotopic measurements of carbon and nitrogen, we determined the photosynthetic pathway for orchids from a tropical cloud forest in Colombia, for which, we also evaluated the nutritional status of nitrogen and its relationship with atmospheric deposition. We found 46 species from 18 genera; of these, 19 species were epiphytic, 9 lithophytic and 18 terrestrials. The carbon content was not significantly different among the species evaluated, averaging 46.4 ± 0.41% (dry weight). In turn, only one terrestrial orchid had a nitrogen content above 2.2%, averaged 1.4 ± 0.07% for the remaining 45 species. The δ13C that averaged − 28.1 ± 0.4‰ for 45 species was typical of C3 plants, while only one species, whose δ13C of 18.8‰ can be considered CAM. The δ15N values for 44 orchids were negative, in total they ranged from − 8.1 to 4.5‰. It can be concluded that the temperatures in this area are not yet high enough to produce a noticeable change in photosynthesis as evidenced by the carbon content of orchids, however, the expected rise would bring harmful consequences for these populations of orchids, especially when considering that these orchids were collected at the highest altitudinal range of the region. Moreover, the rates of nitrogen deposition are not high enough yet to leave a significant signal in the vegetation.
2018
Díaz-Álvarez, E. A.; de la Barrera, E.
Characterization of nitrogen deposition in a megalopolis by means of atmospheric biomonitors Journal Article
In: Scientific Reports, vol. 8, pp. 13569, 2018.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: biomonitors, epiphytes, Mexico, mosses, nitrogen, pollution, stable isotopes, Tillandsia, urban ecology
@article{Díaz-Álvarez2018b,
title = {Characterization of nitrogen deposition in a megalopolis by means of atmospheric biomonitors},
author = {E. A. Díaz-Álvarez and E. de la Barrera },
url = {https://rdcu.be/6jWU},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-32000-5},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-09-11},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
volume = {8},
pages = {13569},
abstract = {An increase of nitrogen deposition resulting from human activities is not only a major threat for global biodiversity, but also for human health, especially in highly populated regions. It is thus important and in some instances legally mandated to monitor reactive nitrogen species in the atmosphere. The utilization of widely distributed biological species suitable for biomonitoring may be a good alternative. We assessed the suitability of an ensemble of atmospheric biomonitors of nitrogen deposition by means of an extensive sampling of a lichen, two mosses, and a bromeliad throughout the Valley of Mexico, whose population reaches 30 million, and subsequent measurements of nitrogen metabolism parameters. In all cases we found significant responses of nitrogen content, C:N ratio and the δ15N to season and site. In turn, the δ15N for the mosses responded linearly to the wet deposition. Also, the nitrogen content (R2 = 0.7), the C:N ratio (R2 = 0.6), and δ15N (R2 = 0.5) for the bromeliad had a linear response to NOx. However, the bromeliad was not found in sites with NOx concentrations exceeding 80 ppb, apparently of as a consequence of exceeding nitrogen. These biomonitors can be utilized in tandem to determine the status of atmospheric nitrogenous pollution in regions without monitoring networks for avoiding health problems for ecosystems and humans.},
keywords = {biomonitors, epiphytes, Mexico, mosses, nitrogen, pollution, stable isotopes, Tillandsia, urban ecology},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
An increase of nitrogen deposition resulting from human activities is not only a major threat for global biodiversity, but also for human health, especially in highly populated regions. It is thus important and in some instances legally mandated to monitor reactive nitrogen species in the atmosphere. The utilization of widely distributed biological species suitable for biomonitoring may be a good alternative. We assessed the suitability of an ensemble of atmospheric biomonitors of nitrogen deposition by means of an extensive sampling of a lichen, two mosses, and a bromeliad throughout the Valley of Mexico, whose population reaches 30 million, and subsequent measurements of nitrogen metabolism parameters. In all cases we found significant responses of nitrogen content, C:N ratio and the δ15N to season and site. In turn, the δ15N for the mosses responded linearly to the wet deposition. Also, the nitrogen content (R2 = 0.7), the C:N ratio (R2 = 0.6), and δ15N (R2 = 0.5) for the bromeliad had a linear response to NOx. However, the bromeliad was not found in sites with NOx concentrations exceeding 80 ppb, apparently of as a consequence of exceeding nitrogen. These biomonitors can be utilized in tandem to determine the status of atmospheric nitrogenous pollution in regions without monitoring networks for avoiding health problems for ecosystems and humans.
Díaz-Álvarez, E. A.; Lindig-Cisneros, R.; de la Barrera, E.
Biomonitors of atmospheric nitrogen deposition: potential uses and limitations Journal Article
In: Conservation Physiology, vol. 6, pp. coy011, 2018.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: biomonitors, ecosystem saturation, epiphytes, nitrogen, pollution, stable isotopes, urban ecology
@article{Díaz-Álvarez2018,
title = {Biomonitors of atmospheric nitrogen deposition: potential uses and limitations},
author = {E. A. Díaz-Álvarez and R. Lindig-Cisneros and E. de la Barrera },
doi = {10.1093/conphys/coy011},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-03-13},
journal = {Conservation Physiology},
volume = {6},
pages = {coy011},
abstract = {Atmospheric nitrogen deposition is the third largest cause of global biodiversity loss, with rates that have more than doubled over the past century. This is especially threatening for tropical regions where the deposition may soon exceed 25 kg of N ha–1 year–1, well above the threshold for physiological damage of 12-20 kg of N ha–1 year–1, depending on plant species and nitrogenous compound. It is thus urgent to monitor these regions where the most diverse biotas occur. However, most studies have been conducted in Europe, the USA, and recently in China. This review presents the case for the potential use of biological organisms to monitor nitrogen deposition, with emphasis on tropical plants. We first present an overview of atmospheric chemistry and the nitrogen metabolism of potential biomonitors, followed by a framework for monitoring nitrogen deposition based on the simultaneous use of various functional groups. In particular, the tissue nitrogen content responds to the rate of deposition, especially for mosses, whose nitrogen content increases by 1% per kilogram of N ha-1 year-1. The isotopic signature, δ15N, is a useful indicator of the nitrogen source, as the slightly negative values (e.g., 5‰) of plants from natural environments can become very negative (–11.2‰) in sites with agricultural and husbandry activities, but very positive (13.3‰) in urban environments with high vehicular activity. Mosses are good biomonitors for wet deposition and atmospheric epiphytes for dry deposition. In turn, the nitrogen saturation of ecosystems can be monitored with trees whose isotopic values increase with saturation. Although given ecophysiological limitations of different organisms, particular studies should be conducted in each area of interest to determine the most suitable biomonitors. Overall, biomonitors can provide an integrative approach for characterizing nitrogen deposition in regions where the deployment of automated instruments or passive monitoring is not feasible or can be complementary.
},
keywords = {biomonitors, ecosystem saturation, epiphytes, nitrogen, pollution, stable isotopes, urban ecology},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Atmospheric nitrogen deposition is the third largest cause of global biodiversity loss, with rates that have more than doubled over the past century. This is especially threatening for tropical regions where the deposition may soon exceed 25 kg of N ha–1 year–1, well above the threshold for physiological damage of 12-20 kg of N ha–1 year–1, depending on plant species and nitrogenous compound. It is thus urgent to monitor these regions where the most diverse biotas occur. However, most studies have been conducted in Europe, the USA, and recently in China. This review presents the case for the potential use of biological organisms to monitor nitrogen deposition, with emphasis on tropical plants. We first present an overview of atmospheric chemistry and the nitrogen metabolism of potential biomonitors, followed by a framework for monitoring nitrogen deposition based on the simultaneous use of various functional groups. In particular, the tissue nitrogen content responds to the rate of deposition, especially for mosses, whose nitrogen content increases by 1% per kilogram of N ha-1 year-1. The isotopic signature, δ15N, is a useful indicator of the nitrogen source, as the slightly negative values (e.g., 5‰) of plants from natural environments can become very negative (–11.2‰) in sites with agricultural and husbandry activities, but very positive (13.3‰) in urban environments with high vehicular activity. Mosses are good biomonitors for wet deposition and atmospheric epiphytes for dry deposition. In turn, the nitrogen saturation of ecosystems can be monitored with trees whose isotopic values increase with saturation. Although given ecophysiological limitations of different organisms, particular studies should be conducted in each area of interest to determine the most suitable biomonitors. Overall, biomonitors can provide an integrative approach for characterizing nitrogen deposition in regions where the deployment of automated instruments or passive monitoring is not feasible or can be complementary.
2017
Díaz-Álvarez, E. A.; Rojas-Cortés, A. P.; de la Barrera, E.
Acumulación nocturna de acidez titulable por Tillandsia makoyana (Bromeliaceae), epífita de la selva baja caducifolia Journal Article
In: Phyton – International Journal of Experimental Botany, vol. 86, pp. 278-281, 2017.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: CAM, Chamela, epiphyte, Jova, shade, Tillandsia, water relations
@article{Díaz-Álvarez2017,
title = {Acumulación nocturna de acidez titulable por Tillandsia makoyana (Bromeliaceae), epífita de la selva baja caducifolia},
author = {E. A. Díaz-Álvarez and A. P. Rojas-Cortés and E. de la Barrera},
url = {http://agro.mx/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/043-Diaz_Alvarez-2017-Phyton.pdf
http://www.revistaphyton.fund-romuloraggio.org.ar/vol86.html},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-12-20},
journal = {Phyton – International Journal of Experimental Botany},
volume = {86},
pages = {278-281},
abstract = {The epiphytic bromeliad \textit{Tillandsia makoyana} was studied to assess the contribution of the environmental factors, water, temperature, and light, to the expression of the Crassulacean acid metabolism. In particular, nocturnal titratable acidity accumulation and maximum leaf temperature were measured in response to watering and incident light. Plants that were watered and exposed to direct sunlight had the highest nocturnal accumulation of titratable acidity of 25.52 ± 0.34 H+/m^2, while the plants without irrigation and kept in the shade had a 59% reduction in their titratable acidity. Our results illustrate a rapid response of the photosynthetic activity to water availability for \textit{Tillandsia makoyana}, native from an ecosystem where this environmental factor greatly fluctuates.},
keywords = {CAM, Chamela, epiphyte, Jova, shade, Tillandsia, water relations},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The epiphytic bromeliad Tillandsia makoyana was studied to assess the contribution of the environmental factors, water, temperature, and light, to the expression of the Crassulacean acid metabolism. In particular, nocturnal titratable acidity accumulation and maximum leaf temperature were measured in response to watering and incident light. Plants that were watered and exposed to direct sunlight had the highest nocturnal accumulation of titratable acidity of 25.52 ± 0.34 H+/m^2, while the plants without irrigation and kept in the shade had a 59% reduction in their titratable acidity. Our results illustrate a rapid response of the photosynthetic activity to water availability for Tillandsia makoyana, native from an ecosystem where this environmental factor greatly fluctuates.
Díaz-Álvarez, E. A.; de la Barrera, E.
PREPRINT: Mapping pollution in a megalopolis: the case for atmospheric biomonitors of nitrogen deposition Journal Article
In: BioRxiv, vol. doi: 10.1101/118257, 2017, (This article is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. ).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: biomonitoring, ecophysiology, global change, lichen, megacities, mosses, nitrogen, Tillandsia, urban ecology
@article{Díaz-Álvarez2017b,
title = {PREPRINT: Mapping pollution in a megalopolis: the case for atmospheric biomonitors of nitrogen deposition},
author = {E. A. Díaz-Álvarez and E. de la Barrera },
url = {https://doi.org/10.1101/118257
},
doi = {10.1101/118257},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-03-19},
journal = {BioRxiv},
volume = {doi: 10.1101/118257},
abstract = {An increase of nitrogen deposition resulting from human activities is not only a major threat for global biodiversity, but also for human health, especially in highly populated regions. It is thus important and in some instances legally mandated to monitor reactive nitrogen species in the atmosphere. However, deployment of automated networks can be excessively costly for most cities so the utilization of widely distributed biological species suitable for biomonitoring may be a good alternative. The aim of this work was thus to assess the suitability of different atmospheric organisms as biomonitors of nitrogen deposition, by means of an extensive sampling of a lichen, two mosses, and one bromeliad throughout the Valley of Mexico, the basin where the megalopolis of Mexico City (population 20 million) is located, and subsequent measurements of nitrogen metabolism parameters. In all cases significant responses of nitrogen content, C:N ratio and 15N were found for the lichen Anaptychia sp. the mosses Grimmia sp. and Fabronia sp., and the bromeliad Tillandsia recurvata in response to season and collected site. In turn, 15N for the mosses responded linearly to the wet deposition (R2= 0.7 for Grimmia sp. and R2=0.2 for Fabronia sp.). Also, the nitrogen content (R2=0.7), the C:N ratio (R2=0.6), and 15N (R2=0.5) for the bromeliad had a linear response to NOx. However, latter species was not found in sites with NOx concentrations above 212 ppm. These biomonitors can be utilized in tandem to determine the status of nitrogenous pollution in regions without monitoring networks.},
note = {This article is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. },
keywords = {biomonitoring, ecophysiology, global change, lichen, megacities, mosses, nitrogen, Tillandsia, urban ecology},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
An increase of nitrogen deposition resulting from human activities is not only a major threat for global biodiversity, but also for human health, especially in highly populated regions. It is thus important and in some instances legally mandated to monitor reactive nitrogen species in the atmosphere. However, deployment of automated networks can be excessively costly for most cities so the utilization of widely distributed biological species suitable for biomonitoring may be a good alternative. The aim of this work was thus to assess the suitability of different atmospheric organisms as biomonitors of nitrogen deposition, by means of an extensive sampling of a lichen, two mosses, and one bromeliad throughout the Valley of Mexico, the basin where the megalopolis of Mexico City (population 20 million) is located, and subsequent measurements of nitrogen metabolism parameters. In all cases significant responses of nitrogen content, C:N ratio and 15N were found for the lichen Anaptychia sp. the mosses Grimmia sp. and Fabronia sp., and the bromeliad Tillandsia recurvata in response to season and collected site. In turn, 15N for the mosses responded linearly to the wet deposition (R2= 0.7 for Grimmia sp. and R2=0.2 for Fabronia sp.). Also, the nitrogen content (R2=0.7), the C:N ratio (R2=0.6), and 15N (R2=0.5) for the bromeliad had a linear response to NOx. However, latter species was not found in sites with NOx concentrations above 212 ppm. These biomonitors can be utilized in tandem to determine the status of nitrogenous pollution in regions without monitoring networks.
2016
Díaz-Álvarez, E. A.
¿Qué tanto es tantito? Una breve historia del nitrógeno en la era industrial Online
Morelia, UNAM Campus (Ed.): 2016.
Links | BibTeX | Tags: ecophysiology, nitrogen, pollution, urban ecology
@online{Díaz-Álvarez2016,
title = {¿Qué tanto es tantito? Una breve historia del nitrógeno en la era industrial},
author = {E. A. Díaz-Álvarez},
editor = {UNAM Campus Morelia},
url = {http://agro.mx/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/diazalvarez-2016-BUM.pdf},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-12-31},
journal = {Boletín UNAM Morelia (BUM)},
volume = {64},
keywords = {ecophysiology, nitrogen, pollution, urban ecology},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {online}
}
Díaz-Álvarez, E. A.; Reyes-García, C.; de la Barrera, E.
A δ15N assessment of nitrogen deposition for the endangered epiphytic orchid Laelia speciosa from a city and an oak forest in Mexico Journal Article
In: Journal of Plant Research, vol. 129, pp. 863–872, 2016.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: conservation physiology, global change, moss, Neo-volcanic axis, nitrogen, orchid, pollution, stable isotopes, urban ecology
@article{Díaz-Álvarez2016b,
title = {A δ15N assessment of nitrogen deposition for the endangered epiphytic orchid Laelia speciosa from a city and an oak forest in Mexico},
author = {E. A. Díaz-Álvarez and C. Reyes-García and E. de la Barrera },
url = {http://rdcu.be/npd1
http://agro.mx/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/039-Diaz-Alvarez-laelia-rv3.pdf
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10265-016-0843-y},
doi = {10.1007/s10265-016-0843-y},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-06-09},
journal = {Journal of Plant Research},
volume = {129},
pages = {863–872},
abstract = {Atmospheric nitrogen deposition poses a major threat to global biodiversity. Tropical epiphytic plants are especially at risk given their reliance on atmospheric sources of nutrients. The leaf, pseudobulb, and root carbon and nitrogen content, C:N ratio, as well as the nitrogen isotopic composition were studied for individuals of Laelia speciosa from a city and from an oak forest in Mexico. The nitrogen content of leaves was similar between the city and the oak forest, reaching 1.3 ± 0.2 % (dry mass). The δ15N of leaves, pseudobulbs, and roots reached 5.6 ± 0.2 ‰ in the city, values found in sites exposed to industrial and vehicular activities. The δ15N for plant from the oak forest amounted to –3.1 ± 0.3 ‰, which is similar to values measured from sites with low industrial activities. Some orchids such as Laelia speciosa produce a single pseudobulb per year, i.e., a water and nutrient storage organ, so the interannual nitrogen deposition was studied by considering the ten most recent pseudobulbs for plants from either site formed between 2003 and 2012. The C:N ratio of the ten most recent pseudobulbs from the oak forest, as well as that of the pseudobulbs formed before 2010 for plants in the city were indistinguishable from each other, averaging 132.4 ± 6.5, while it was lower for the two most recent pseudobulbs in the city. The δ15N values of pseudobulbs from the oak forest averaged ‒4.4 ± 0.1 ‰ for the entire series. The δ15N ranged from 0.1 ± 1.6 ‰ for the oldest pseudobulb to 4.7 ± 0.2 ‰ for the pseudobulb formed in the city from 2008 onwards. Isotopic analysis and the C:N ratio for L. speciosa revealed that rates of nitrogen deposition were higher in the city than in the forest. The δ15N values of series of pseudobulbs showed that it is possible to track nitrogen deposition over multiple years.},
keywords = {conservation physiology, global change, moss, Neo-volcanic axis, nitrogen, orchid, pollution, stable isotopes, urban ecology},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Atmospheric nitrogen deposition poses a major threat to global biodiversity. Tropical epiphytic plants are especially at risk given their reliance on atmospheric sources of nutrients. The leaf, pseudobulb, and root carbon and nitrogen content, C:N ratio, as well as the nitrogen isotopic composition were studied for individuals of Laelia speciosa from a city and from an oak forest in Mexico. The nitrogen content of leaves was similar between the city and the oak forest, reaching 1.3 ± 0.2 % (dry mass). The δ15N of leaves, pseudobulbs, and roots reached 5.6 ± 0.2 ‰ in the city, values found in sites exposed to industrial and vehicular activities. The δ15N for plant from the oak forest amounted to –3.1 ± 0.3 ‰, which is similar to values measured from sites with low industrial activities. Some orchids such as Laelia speciosa produce a single pseudobulb per year, i.e., a water and nutrient storage organ, so the interannual nitrogen deposition was studied by considering the ten most recent pseudobulbs for plants from either site formed between 2003 and 2012. The C:N ratio of the ten most recent pseudobulbs from the oak forest, as well as that of the pseudobulbs formed before 2010 for plants in the city were indistinguishable from each other, averaging 132.4 ± 6.5, while it was lower for the two most recent pseudobulbs in the city. The δ15N values of pseudobulbs from the oak forest averaged ‒4.4 ± 0.1 ‰ for the entire series. The δ15N ranged from 0.1 ± 1.6 ‰ for the oldest pseudobulb to 4.7 ± 0.2 ‰ for the pseudobulb formed in the city from 2008 onwards. Isotopic analysis and the C:N ratio for L. speciosa revealed that rates of nitrogen deposition were higher in the city than in the forest. The δ15N values of series of pseudobulbs showed that it is possible to track nitrogen deposition over multiple years.
2015
Díaz-Álvarez, E. A.; Torres-Galeano, C.; Rojas-Cortés, A. P.; de la Barrera, E.
In vitro germination and development of two endangered endemic Colombian orchids Cattleya mendelii and Cattleya quadricolor Journal Article
In: Gayana Botánica, vol. 72, pp. 213-220, 2015.
Links | BibTeX | Tags: auxin, biotechnology, CAM, Cattleya, culture media, development, gibberellin, orchid, phytohormones
@article{Díaz-Álvarez2015,
title = {In vitro germination and development of two endangered endemic Colombian orchids Cattleya mendelii and Cattleya quadricolor},
author = {E. A. Díaz-Álvarez and C. Torres-Galeano and A. P. Rojas-Cortés and E. de la Barrera },
url = {http://www.gayanabotanica.cl/pdfs/2015/2/05_Diaz-Alvarez_etal_2015.pdf},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-11-26},
journal = {Gayana Botánica},
volume = {72},
pages = {213-220},
keywords = {auxin, biotechnology, CAM, Cattleya, culture media, development, gibberellin, orchid, phytohormones},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Díaz-Álvarez, E. A.; Lindig-Cisneros, R.; de la Barrera, E.
Responses to simulated nitrogen deposition by the neotropical epiphytic orchid Laelia speciosa Journal Article
In: PeerJ, vol. 3, pp. e1021, 2015.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: acid rain, biodiversity, CAM, conservation physiology, d15N, global change, Laelia, neotropical, nitrogen, orchid, plant nutrition, pollution, stable isotopes
@article{Díaz-Álvarez2015,
title = {Responses to simulated nitrogen deposition by the neotropical epiphytic orchid Laelia speciosa},
author = {E. A. Díaz-Álvarez and R. Lindig-Cisneros and E. de la Barrera},
url = {https://peerj.com/articles/1021/
http://agro.mx/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/031-Díaz-Alvarez-et-al-2015-PeerJ-Laelia.pdf},
doi = {10.7717/peerj.1021},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-06-18},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {3},
pages = {e1021},
abstract = {Potential ecophysiological responses to nitrogen deposition, which is considered to be one of the leading causes for global biodiversity loss, were studied for the endangered endemic Mexican epiphytic orchid, Laelia speciosa, via a shadehouse dose-response experiment (doses were 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 kg N ha-1 yr-1) in order to assess the potential risk facing this orchid given impending scenarios of nitrogen deposition. Lower doses of nitrogen of up to 20 kg N ha yr–1, the dose that led to optimal plant performance, acted as fertilizer. For instance, the production of leaves and pseudobulbs were respectively 35% and 36% greater for plants receiving 20 kg N ha yr–1 than under any other dose. Also, the chlorophyll content and quantum yield peaked at 0.66 ± 0.03 g m-2 and 0.85 ± 0.01, respectively, for plants growing under the optimum dose. In contrast, toxic effects were observed at the higher doses of 40 and 80 kg N ha yr–1. The δ13C for leaves averaged –14.7 ± 0.2‰ regardless of the nitrogen dose. In turn, δ15N decreased as the nitrogen dose increased from 0.9 ±0.1‰ under 2.5 kg N ha-1 yr-1 to – 3.1 ± 0.2 ‰ under 80 kg N ha-1 yr-1, indicating that orchids preferentially assimilate NH4+ rather than NO3– of the solution under higher doses of nitrogen. Laelia speciosa showed a clear response to inputs of nitrogen, thus, increasing rates of atmospheric nitrogen deposition can pose an important threat for this species.},
keywords = {acid rain, biodiversity, CAM, conservation physiology, d15N, global change, Laelia, neotropical, nitrogen, orchid, plant nutrition, pollution, stable isotopes},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Potential ecophysiological responses to nitrogen deposition, which is considered to be one of the leading causes for global biodiversity loss, were studied for the endangered endemic Mexican epiphytic orchid, Laelia speciosa, via a shadehouse dose-response experiment (doses were 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 kg N ha-1 yr-1) in order to assess the potential risk facing this orchid given impending scenarios of nitrogen deposition. Lower doses of nitrogen of up to 20 kg N ha yr–1, the dose that led to optimal plant performance, acted as fertilizer. For instance, the production of leaves and pseudobulbs were respectively 35% and 36% greater for plants receiving 20 kg N ha yr–1 than under any other dose. Also, the chlorophyll content and quantum yield peaked at 0.66 ± 0.03 g m-2 and 0.85 ± 0.01, respectively, for plants growing under the optimum dose. In contrast, toxic effects were observed at the higher doses of 40 and 80 kg N ha yr–1. The δ13C for leaves averaged –14.7 ± 0.2‰ regardless of the nitrogen dose. In turn, δ15N decreased as the nitrogen dose increased from 0.9 ±0.1‰ under 2.5 kg N ha-1 yr-1 to – 3.1 ± 0.2 ‰ under 80 kg N ha-1 yr-1, indicating that orchids preferentially assimilate NH4+ rather than NO3– of the solution under higher doses of nitrogen. Laelia speciosa showed a clear response to inputs of nitrogen, thus, increasing rates of atmospheric nitrogen deposition can pose an important threat for this species.
2014
Díaz-Álvarez, E. A.; Lindig-Cisneros, R.; Reyes-García, C.; de la Barrera, E.
PREPRINT: Effects of simulated nitrogen deposition and a stable isotopic assessment for the neotropical epiphytic orchid Laelia speciosa Journal Article
In: PeerJ Preprints, vol. 2, pp. e771v1, 2014, ( NOT PEER-REVIEWED. This is a rapid communication before peer review.).
Links | BibTeX | Tags: CAM, epiphyte, global change, nitrogen, orchid, preprint
@article{Díaz-Álvarez2014,
title = {PREPRINT: Effects of simulated nitrogen deposition and a stable isotopic assessment for the neotropical epiphytic orchid Laelia speciosa},
author = {E. A. Díaz-Álvarez and R. Lindig-Cisneros and C. Reyes-García and E. de la Barrera},
url = {https://peerj.com/preprints/771/},
doi = {10.7287/peerj.preprints.771v1},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-12-31},
journal = {PeerJ Preprints},
volume = {2},
pages = {e771v1},
note = { NOT PEER-REVIEWED. This is a rapid communication before peer review.},
keywords = {CAM, epiphyte, global change, nitrogen, orchid, preprint},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}