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
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.
2019
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.