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.
2020
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.
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.
2016
de la Barrera, E.
COP-eration for global food security Journal Article
In: F1000Research, vol. 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.
2009
de la Barrera, E.; Smith, W. K.
Epilogue Book Chapter
In: de la Barrera, E.; Smith, W. K. (Ed.): Perspectives in Biophysical Plant Ecophysiology: A Tribute to Park S. Nobel, pp. 393-397, UNAM, 2009.
Links | BibTeX | Tags: biophysics, ecophysiology, global change, public policy
@inbook{delaBarrera2009b,
title = {Epilogue},
author = {E. de la Barrera and W. K. Smith },
editor = {E. de la Barrera and W. K. Smith },
url = {https://books.google.com.mx/books?id=FOLucdeycDkC&lpg=PA393&ots=9pz9EVuNJz&dq=epilogue%20erick%20de%20la%20barrera%20perspectives%20biophysical%20ecophysiology&pg=PA393#v=onepage&q&f=false},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-01-01},
booktitle = {Perspectives in Biophysical Plant Ecophysiology: A Tribute to Park S. Nobel},
pages = {393-397},
publisher = {UNAM},
keywords = {biophysics, ecophysiology, global change, public policy},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inbook}
}
2005
de la Barrera, E.; Andrade, J. L.
Challenges to plant megadiversity: how environmental physiology can help Journal Article
In: New Phytologist, vol. 167, pp. 5-8, 2005.
Links | BibTeX | Tags: acclimation, agriculture, cactus, climate change, conservation, ecophysiology, legume, nitrogen, plant diversity, public policy, seed, stable isotopes, tropical forest
@article{delaBarrera2005b,
title = {Challenges to plant megadiversity: how environmental physiology can help},
author = {E. de la Barrera and J. L. Andrade},
url = {http://agro.mx/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/012-De-la-Barrera-Andrade-2005-New-Phytol.pdf},
year = {2005},
date = {2005-05-01},
journal = {New Phytologist},
volume = {167},
pages = {5-8},
keywords = {acclimation, agriculture, cactus, climate change, conservation, ecophysiology, legume, nitrogen, plant diversity, public policy, seed, stable isotopes, tropical forest},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}