2024
Martínez, D. N.; Vibrans, H.; Espinosa-García, F. J.; Camacho-Cervantes, M.; de la Barrera, E.
Malezas ruderales como biomonitores del depósito de nitrógeno urbano Journal Article Forthcoming
In: Ecosistemas, Forthcoming.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: anthropocene, biomonitoring, invasive species, nitrogen, nitrogen deposition, plant nutrition, pollution, urban ecology
@article{Martínez2024,
title = {Malezas ruderales como biomonitores del depósito de nitrógeno urbano},
author = {D. N. Martínez and H. Vibrans and F.J. Espinosa-García and M. Camacho-Cervantes and E. de la Barrera},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-02-29},
urldate = {2024-02-29},
journal = {Ecosistemas},
abstract = {The production of reactive forms of nitrogen has surpassed safe planetary boundaries, jeopardizing the proper functioning of ecosystems. Their deposition is a threat to both biodiversity and public health. Monitoring systems to quantify nitrogen deposition are often lacking, making biomonitoring a potential alternative. In biomonitoring, physiological variables responsive to nitrogen availability are identified, along with organisms tolerant to high nitrogen availability. Although epiphytic organisms are frequently used as biomonitors, many are confined to humid climates and areas with minimal anthropogenic disturbance. The aim of this review is to identify potential nitrogen deposition biomonitors for sites under anthropic disturbance. Ruderal weeds persist and thrive in urban areas, where disturbance, pollutant emissions, and nitrogen deposition rates are often high. Moreover, several weeds are identified as nitrophilic, and within a well-represented group among them, grasses, tolerance to high nitrogen deposition rates has been documented. The use of these organisms has allowed for the identification of contributions from nitrogen sources and the increase of nitrogen in environments that are restrictive for other plants.},
keywords = {anthropocene, biomonitoring, invasive species, nitrogen, nitrogen deposition, plant nutrition, pollution, urban ecology},
pubstate = {forthcoming},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The production of reactive forms of nitrogen has surpassed safe planetary boundaries, jeopardizing the proper functioning of ecosystems. Their deposition is a threat to both biodiversity and public health. Monitoring systems to quantify nitrogen deposition are often lacking, making biomonitoring a potential alternative. In biomonitoring, physiological variables responsive to nitrogen availability are identified, along with organisms tolerant to high nitrogen availability. Although epiphytic organisms are frequently used as biomonitors, many are confined to humid climates and areas with minimal anthropogenic disturbance. The aim of this review is to identify potential nitrogen deposition biomonitors for sites under anthropic disturbance. Ruderal weeds persist and thrive in urban areas, where disturbance, pollutant emissions, and nitrogen deposition rates are often high. Moreover, several weeds are identified as nitrophilic, and within a well-represented group among them, grasses, tolerance to high nitrogen deposition rates has been documented. The use of these organisms has allowed for the identification of contributions from nitrogen sources and the increase of nitrogen in environments that are restrictive for other plants.
2021
Martínez, D. N.; López-Toledo, L.; Espinosa-García, F.; Camacho-Cervantes, M.; de la Barrera, E.
Ephemeral visitors or permanent residents? — Decadal change in the ruderal vegetation from a periurban university campus Journal Article
In: Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, vol. 65, pp. 127372, 2021.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: anthropocene, biodiversity, biodiversity threats, Bioindicator, disturbance, invasive species, land-use change, urban ecology, urban sprawl
@article{Martínez2021c,
title = {Ephemeral visitors or permanent residents? — Decadal change in the ruderal vegetation from a periurban university campus},
author = {D. N. Martínez and L. López-Toledo and F. Espinosa-García and M. Camacho-Cervantes and E. de la Barrera},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S161886672100399X},
doi = {10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127372},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-10-11},
urldate = {2021-10-11},
journal = {Urban Forestry and Urban Greening},
volume = {65},
pages = {127372},
abstract = {Highlights
• Anthropogenic disturbance (built area) increased in the study site over the years.
• Species richness and the proportion of exotic species increased with disturbance.
• The most diverse families of ruderal flora were Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Poaceae.
• The 16 species that disappeared after 2008 were native.
• Thirteen of the exotic species found in the study site are invasive in Mexico.
Abstract
Urbanization creates environmental conditions that hinder the growth of natural vegetation. We surveyed the ruderal vegetation from a periurban university campus in west-central Mexico during the rainy seasons of 2008 and 2016–2018, time during which the campus underwent intensive construction. The built area grew from 4 ha in 2009 to 12.6 ha in 2017. We identified 234 different Angiosperms belonging to 165 genera and 43 families and the community composition changed over time. For example, Asteraceae was replaced by Poaceae as the richest family in 2018. Also, 16 native species found in 2008 disappeared from the study site, 9 of which have been related with low disturbance. In contrast, 98 new species were observed in the latter years, including some that are commonly found in cities. Overall, species richness increased with time, including that of exotic species that increased from 16 % of the total species in 2008 to 24 % in 2018. Thirteen of such exotic species are invasive in Mexico, including Digitaria velutina, Asphodelus fistulosus, Mercurialis annua, and Senecio inaequidens, for which this was their first record in the city of Morelia (population 849,053), where the campus is located. These results suggest that environmental conditions imposed by disturbance can favor the proliferation of various species, especially grasses and several exotic species of different families.},
keywords = {anthropocene, biodiversity, biodiversity threats, Bioindicator, disturbance, invasive species, land-use change, urban ecology, urban sprawl},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Highlights
• Anthropogenic disturbance (built area) increased in the study site over the years.
• Species richness and the proportion of exotic species increased with disturbance.
• The most diverse families of ruderal flora were Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Poaceae.
• The 16 species that disappeared after 2008 were native.
• Thirteen of the exotic species found in the study site are invasive in Mexico.
Abstract
Urbanization creates environmental conditions that hinder the growth of natural vegetation. We surveyed the ruderal vegetation from a periurban university campus in west-central Mexico during the rainy seasons of 2008 and 2016–2018, time during which the campus underwent intensive construction. The built area grew from 4 ha in 2009 to 12.6 ha in 2017. We identified 234 different Angiosperms belonging to 165 genera and 43 families and the community composition changed over time. For example, Asteraceae was replaced by Poaceae as the richest family in 2018. Also, 16 native species found in 2008 disappeared from the study site, 9 of which have been related with low disturbance. In contrast, 98 new species were observed in the latter years, including some that are commonly found in cities. Overall, species richness increased with time, including that of exotic species that increased from 16 % of the total species in 2008 to 24 % in 2018. Thirteen of such exotic species are invasive in Mexico, including Digitaria velutina, Asphodelus fistulosus, Mercurialis annua, and Senecio inaequidens, for which this was their first record in the city of Morelia (population 849,053), where the campus is located. These results suggest that environmental conditions imposed by disturbance can favor the proliferation of various species, especially grasses and several exotic species of different families.
• Anthropogenic disturbance (built area) increased in the study site over the years.
• Species richness and the proportion of exotic species increased with disturbance.
• The most diverse families of ruderal flora were Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Poaceae.
• The 16 species that disappeared after 2008 were native.
• Thirteen of the exotic species found in the study site are invasive in Mexico.
Abstract
Urbanization creates environmental conditions that hinder the growth of natural vegetation. We surveyed the ruderal vegetation from a periurban university campus in west-central Mexico during the rainy seasons of 2008 and 2016–2018, time during which the campus underwent intensive construction. The built area grew from 4 ha in 2009 to 12.6 ha in 2017. We identified 234 different Angiosperms belonging to 165 genera and 43 families and the community composition changed over time. For example, Asteraceae was replaced by Poaceae as the richest family in 2018. Also, 16 native species found in 2008 disappeared from the study site, 9 of which have been related with low disturbance. In contrast, 98 new species were observed in the latter years, including some that are commonly found in cities. Overall, species richness increased with time, including that of exotic species that increased from 16 % of the total species in 2008 to 24 % in 2018. Thirteen of such exotic species are invasive in Mexico, including Digitaria velutina, Asphodelus fistulosus, Mercurialis annua, and Senecio inaequidens, for which this was their first record in the city of Morelia (population 849,053), where the campus is located. These results suggest that environmental conditions imposed by disturbance can favor the proliferation of various species, especially grasses and several exotic species of different families.
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.
Martínez, D. N.; de la Barrera, E.
Physiological screening of ruderal weed biomonitors of atmospheric nitrogen deposition Journal Article
In: Botanical Sciences, vol. 99, no. 3, pp. 573-587, 2021.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: atmospheric pollution, biomass, chlorophyll, invasive species, nitrate reductase, nitrogen, plant nutrition, stable isotopes
@article{Martínez2021,
title = {Physiological screening of ruderal weed biomonitors of atmospheric nitrogen deposition},
author = {D. N. Martínez and E. de la Barrera },
url = {https://botanicalsciences.com.mx/index.php/botanicalSciences/article/view/2789},
doi = {10.17129/botsci.2789},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-05-18},
journal = {Botanical Sciences},
volume = {99},
number = {3},
pages = {573-587},
abstract = {Background: Plants take up various species of reactive nitrogen and their different physiological responses to the increase of nitrogen availability can be useful in biomonitoring.
Questions: Does atmospheric nitrogen deposition affect the physiology of ruderal weeds? Which species are most responsive to the nitrogen deposition?
Studied species: Eleven ruderal weeds.
Study site and dates: Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico. 2019.
Methods: Under scenarios of 10, 20, 40 and 80 kg N ha-1year-1, we quantified plant responses of biomass production, nitrate reductase activity, chlorophyll content, fluorescence, δ15N, nitrogen and carbon content.
Results: Total biomass production increased with the rate of nitrogen deposition for Bidens pilosa, Chloris gayana, Lepidium virginicum, and Pennisetum setaceum, as chlorophyll content in B. pilosa, C. gayana, and L. virginicum. In turn, the below- to above-ground biomass ratio decreased for B. pilosa and C. gayana, as photosynthetic efficiency in C. gayana, L. virginicum, and Chloris pycnothrix. Nitrate reductase activity was only affected in L. virginicumm, C. gayana, and T. officinale.
With the exception of C. pycnothrix, the nitrogen content increased, while the carbon augmented in C. gayana, C. pycnothrix, and P. setaceum. The C/N ratio was reduced in B. pilosa, C. gayana, Chloris virgata, P. setaceum, and T. officinale. The δ15N was increased in B. pilosa, C. gayana, C. virgata and P. setaceum.
Conclusions: Bidens pilosa, C. gayana, L. virginicum, and P. setaceum were the species with more affected variables to nitrogen deposition, which could be useful in the biomonitoring.
},
keywords = {atmospheric pollution, biomass, chlorophyll, invasive species, nitrate reductase, nitrogen, plant nutrition, stable isotopes},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Background: Plants take up various species of reactive nitrogen and their different physiological responses to the increase of nitrogen availability can be useful in biomonitoring.
Questions: Does atmospheric nitrogen deposition affect the physiology of ruderal weeds? Which species are most responsive to the nitrogen deposition?
Studied species: Eleven ruderal weeds.
Study site and dates: Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico. 2019.
Methods: Under scenarios of 10, 20, 40 and 80 kg N ha-1year-1, we quantified plant responses of biomass production, nitrate reductase activity, chlorophyll content, fluorescence, δ15N, nitrogen and carbon content.
Results: Total biomass production increased with the rate of nitrogen deposition for Bidens pilosa, Chloris gayana, Lepidium virginicum, and Pennisetum setaceum, as chlorophyll content in B. pilosa, C. gayana, and L. virginicum. In turn, the below- to above-ground biomass ratio decreased for B. pilosa and C. gayana, as photosynthetic efficiency in C. gayana, L. virginicum, and Chloris pycnothrix. Nitrate reductase activity was only affected in L. virginicumm, C. gayana, and T. officinale.
With the exception of C. pycnothrix, the nitrogen content increased, while the carbon augmented in C. gayana, C. pycnothrix, and P. setaceum. The C/N ratio was reduced in B. pilosa, C. gayana, Chloris virgata, P. setaceum, and T. officinale. The δ15N was increased in B. pilosa, C. gayana, C. virgata and P. setaceum.
Conclusions: Bidens pilosa, C. gayana, L. virginicum, and P. setaceum were the species with more affected variables to nitrogen deposition, which could be useful in the biomonitoring.
Questions: Does atmospheric nitrogen deposition affect the physiology of ruderal weeds? Which species are most responsive to the nitrogen deposition?
Studied species: Eleven ruderal weeds.
Study site and dates: Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico. 2019.
Methods: Under scenarios of 10, 20, 40 and 80 kg N ha-1year-1, we quantified plant responses of biomass production, nitrate reductase activity, chlorophyll content, fluorescence, δ15N, nitrogen and carbon content.
Results: Total biomass production increased with the rate of nitrogen deposition for Bidens pilosa, Chloris gayana, Lepidium virginicum, and Pennisetum setaceum, as chlorophyll content in B. pilosa, C. gayana, and L. virginicum. In turn, the below- to above-ground biomass ratio decreased for B. pilosa and C. gayana, as photosynthetic efficiency in C. gayana, L. virginicum, and Chloris pycnothrix. Nitrate reductase activity was only affected in L. virginicumm, C. gayana, and T. officinale.
With the exception of C. pycnothrix, the nitrogen content increased, while the carbon augmented in C. gayana, C. pycnothrix, and P. setaceum. The C/N ratio was reduced in B. pilosa, C. gayana, Chloris virgata, P. setaceum, and T. officinale. The δ15N was increased in B. pilosa, C. gayana, C. virgata and P. setaceum.
Conclusions: Bidens pilosa, C. gayana, L. virginicum, and P. setaceum were the species with more affected variables to nitrogen deposition, which could be useful in the biomonitoring.
2020
Martínez, D. N.; de la Barrera, E.
Germination ecophysiology for three peri-urban ephemeral weeds Journal Article
In: La Granja (Revista de Ciencias de la Vida), vol. 31, pp. 03, 2020.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: invasive species, reproductive ecophysiology, temperature, urban ecology, water relations
@article{Martínez2020,
title = {Germination ecophysiology for three peri-urban ephemeral weeds},
author = {D. N. Martínez and E. de la Barrera },
url = {https://lagranja.ups.edu.ec/index.php/granja/article/view/31.2020.03},
doi = {10.17163/lgr.n31.2020.03},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-02-28},
journal = {La Granja (Revista de Ciencias de la Vida)},
volume = {31},
pages = {03},
abstract = {The environmental requirements leading to germination were determined by three common species found during the June-October 2009 rainy season in a peri-urban site from Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico, where the construction of a campus of Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) was underway. In particular, the responses were evaluated in the laboratory to low-temperature stratification, as well as day/night air temperature, and water potential for the native Onagraceae Lopezia racemosa and Ludwigia octovalvis, and the exotic Polygonaceae Rumex crispus. Low-temperature stratification had no effect on germination by L. racemosa, for which maximum germination averaging 88% was optimal at 25/15 and 30/20 ºC. Germination at 21 d was halved at –0.5 MPa and completely inhibited at –1.0 MPa. The seeds of L. octovalvis were also insensitive to low temperature stratification and their germination never exceeded 70%, with the two highest temperatures of 30/20 and 35/25 ºC being the optimum. For this species germination was maximal at 0.0 MPa, decreasing significantly under every treatment with a minimum germination of 21% for seeds incubated at –0.1 MPa. Germination for the exotic R. crispus was delayed by low-temperature stratification, although all its seeds germinated regardless of the temperature or water potential treatment. While the environmental requirements for germination of ephemeral species often match the typical climate of their growing season, the differential responses found for the species considered in the present study provide some insight into the mechanisms leading to changes in species composition for communities from disturbed environments, including the displacement of native species and the proliferation of exotic, potentially invasive plants. },
keywords = {invasive species, reproductive ecophysiology, temperature, urban ecology, water relations},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The environmental requirements leading to germination were determined by three common species found during the June-October 2009 rainy season in a peri-urban site from Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico, where the construction of a campus of Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) was underway. In particular, the responses were evaluated in the laboratory to low-temperature stratification, as well as day/night air temperature, and water potential for the native Onagraceae Lopezia racemosa and Ludwigia octovalvis, and the exotic Polygonaceae Rumex crispus. Low-temperature stratification had no effect on germination by L. racemosa, for which maximum germination averaging 88% was optimal at 25/15 and 30/20 ºC. Germination at 21 d was halved at –0.5 MPa and completely inhibited at –1.0 MPa. The seeds of L. octovalvis were also insensitive to low temperature stratification and their germination never exceeded 70%, with the two highest temperatures of 30/20 and 35/25 ºC being the optimum. For this species germination was maximal at 0.0 MPa, decreasing significantly under every treatment with a minimum germination of 21% for seeds incubated at –0.1 MPa. Germination for the exotic R. crispus was delayed by low-temperature stratification, although all its seeds germinated regardless of the temperature or water potential treatment. While the environmental requirements for germination of ephemeral species often match the typical climate of their growing season, the differential responses found for the species considered in the present study provide some insight into the mechanisms leading to changes in species composition for communities from disturbed environments, including the displacement of native species and the proliferation of exotic, potentially invasive plants.
2017
Martínez, D. N.; de la Barrera, E.
PREPRINT: Germination ecophysiology for three peri-urban ephemeral weeds Journal Article
In: PeerJ Preprints, vol. 5, pp. e2950v1, 2017, ISSN: 2167-9843, (NOT Peer reviewed. This is an early communication for feedback before peer review).
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: disturbance, invasive species, land-use change, reproductive ecophysiology, seed bank, temperature, urban ecology, water relations
@article{Martínez2017,
title = {PREPRINT: Germination ecophysiology for three peri-urban ephemeral weeds},
author = {D. N. Martínez and E. de la Barrera},
url = {https://peerj.com/preprints/2950/},
doi = {10.7287/peerj.preprints.2950v1},
issn = { 2167-9843},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-04-27},
journal = {PeerJ Preprints},
volume = {5},
pages = {e2950v1},
abstract = {We determined the environmental requirements leading to germination by three common species found during the summer rainy season in a peri-urban site where construction of a university campus was underway. In particular, we evaluated laboratory responses to low-temperature stratification, day/night air temperature, and water potential for the native Onagraceae Lopezia racemosa and Ludwigia octovalvis, and the exotic Polygonaceae Rumex crispus. Low-temperature stratification had no effect on germination by L. racemosa, for which maximum germination averaging 88% was optimal at 25/15 and 30/20 ºC. Germination at 21 d was halved at –0.5 MPa and completely inhibited at –1.0 MPa. The seeds of L. octovalvis were also insensitive to low temperature stratification and their germination never exceeded 70%, with the two highest temperatures of 30/20 and 35/25 ºC being the optimum. For this species germination was maximal at 0.0 MPa, decreasing significantly under every treatment with a minimum germination of 21% for seeds incubated at –0.1 MPa. Germination for the exotic R. crispus was delayed by low-temperature stratification, although all of its seeds germinated regardless of the temperature or water potential treatment. While the environmental requirements for germination of ephemeral species often match the typical climate of their growing season, the differential responses found for the species considered in the present study provide some insight into the mechanisms leading to changes in species composition for communities from disturbed environments, including the displacement of native species and the proliferation of exotic, potentially invasive, plants.},
note = {NOT Peer reviewed. This is an early communication for feedback before peer review},
keywords = {disturbance, invasive species, land-use change, reproductive ecophysiology, seed bank, temperature, urban ecology, water relations},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
We determined the environmental requirements leading to germination by three common species found during the summer rainy season in a peri-urban site where construction of a university campus was underway. In particular, we evaluated laboratory responses to low-temperature stratification, day/night air temperature, and water potential for the native Onagraceae Lopezia racemosa and Ludwigia octovalvis, and the exotic Polygonaceae Rumex crispus. Low-temperature stratification had no effect on germination by L. racemosa, for which maximum germination averaging 88% was optimal at 25/15 and 30/20 ºC. Germination at 21 d was halved at –0.5 MPa and completely inhibited at –1.0 MPa. The seeds of L. octovalvis were also insensitive to low temperature stratification and their germination never exceeded 70%, with the two highest temperatures of 30/20 and 35/25 ºC being the optimum. For this species germination was maximal at 0.0 MPa, decreasing significantly under every treatment with a minimum germination of 21% for seeds incubated at –0.1 MPa. Germination for the exotic R. crispus was delayed by low-temperature stratification, although all of its seeds germinated regardless of the temperature or water potential treatment. While the environmental requirements for germination of ephemeral species often match the typical climate of their growing season, the differential responses found for the species considered in the present study provide some insight into the mechanisms leading to changes in species composition for communities from disturbed environments, including the displacement of native species and the proliferation of exotic, potentially invasive, plants.