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Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, UNAM

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Laboratorio de Ecofisiología Agraria
3er. Piso, Edificio Sur
Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, UNAM Campus Morelia, Antigua Carretera a Pátzcuaro 8701, Col. Ex-Hacienda de San José de la Huerta, Morelia, Michoacán 58190, México.
(Ver mapa)

Contact:
Dr. Erick de la Barrera Montppellier

Twitter: @erickdlbm
Blog: Ecolibrios.com

Recent publications

de la Barrera, E.

The role of CAM ecophysiology in the Anthropocene Journal Article

In: Acta Horticulturae, vol. 1343, pp. 267-281, 2022.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

@article{delaBarrera2022,

title = {The role of CAM ecophysiology in the Anthropocene},

author = {E. de la Barrera},

url = {https://agro.mx/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/071-delaB-CAM-Anthropocene.pdf},

doi = {10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1343.35},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-09-19},

urldate = {2022-09-19},

journal = {Acta Horticulturae},

volume = {1343},

pages = {267-281},

abstract = {Human impact on the planet is such that geologists have acknowledged the start of a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene, which is characterized by an environmental emergency with multiple open fronts such as climate change, biodiversity loss, decreased fresh water availability, alterations to the nitrogen cycle, and chemical pollution. Activities such as food production and the increasing aggregation of people in urban areas are simultaneously major drivers and vulnerable points of such environmental change. For example, climate change represents a major threat to food production, considering that a reduction of annual precipitation, in addition to temperature increases, is likely to occur especially in tropical agricultural regions. The use of CAM crops has been recognized as a useful strategy for climate change adaptation, owing to their tolerance of high temperatures and their inherently high water use efficiency. The potential performance of Opuntia ficus-indica and Agave tequilana is modeled as an application of the Environmental Productivity Index for identifying potential areas for cultivation under climate change. Regarding alterations to the nitrogen biogeochemical cycle, CAM epiphytes can be useful to characterize environmental pollution in tropical environments, especially when electrochemical monitoring networks are lacking. Indeed, CAM epiphytes are particularly promising to characterize the prevalent levels of heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants and, especially, nitrogen deposition. This is illustrated with the use of the orchid Laelia speciosa and the bromeliad Tillandsia recurvata as biomonitors of atmospheric nitrogen deposition. From fundamental research on the mechanisms behind plant responses to environmental change to applications in agriculture and biomonitoring, CAM ecophysiology will be essential in the Anthropocene.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

Human impact on the planet is such that geologists have acknowledged the start of a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene, which is characterized by an environmental emergency with multiple open fronts such as climate change, biodiversity loss, decreased fresh water availability, alterations to the nitrogen cycle, and chemical pollution. Activities such as food production and the increasing aggregation of people in urban areas are simultaneously major drivers and vulnerable points of such environmental change. For example, climate change represents a major threat to food production, considering that a reduction of annual precipitation, in addition to temperature increases, is likely to occur especially in tropical agricultural regions. The use of CAM crops has been recognized as a useful strategy for climate change adaptation, owing to their tolerance of high temperatures and their inherently high water use efficiency. The potential performance of Opuntia ficus-indica and Agave tequilana is modeled as an application of the Environmental Productivity Index for identifying potential areas for cultivation under climate change. Regarding alterations to the nitrogen biogeochemical cycle, CAM epiphytes can be useful to characterize environmental pollution in tropical environments, especially when electrochemical monitoring networks are lacking. Indeed, CAM epiphytes are particularly promising to characterize the prevalent levels of heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants and, especially, nitrogen deposition. This is illustrated with the use of the orchid Laelia speciosa and the bromeliad Tillandsia recurvata as biomonitors of atmospheric nitrogen deposition. From fundamental research on the mechanisms behind plant responses to environmental change to applications in agriculture and biomonitoring, CAM ecophysiology will be essential in the Anthropocene.

https://agro.mx/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/071-delaB-CAM-Anthropocene.pdf
doi:10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1343.35

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

@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 = {},

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.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S161886672100399X
doi:10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127372

Alcántara-Plazola, J. J.; de la Barrera, E.

Quantification of embedded phosphorus in Mexican agriculture Journal Article

In: Sustainable Production and Consumption, vol. 28C, pp. 824-828, 2021, ISSN: 2352-5509.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

@article{Alcántara-Plazola2021,

title = {Quantification of embedded phosphorus in Mexican agriculture},

author = {J. J. Alcántara-Plazola and E. de la Barrera},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352550921002104},

doi = {10.1016/j.spc.2021.07.011},

issn = {2352-5509},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-07-14},

journal = {Sustainable Production and Consumption},

volume = {28C},

pages = {824-828},

abstract = {Phosphorus is an essential element for agricultural production, and for life in general, whose availability as a mineral is geographically restricted. Considering that Mexico is a major contributor to the global flow of water embedded in agricultural commodities, it is likely that this country is also a major exporter of embedded phosphorus. Thus, we quantified the embedded phosphorus for the 38 major crops produced in Mexico from 1980 to 2015, which were grouped into forages, fruits and vegetables, cereals, legumes, and cash crops. The total phosphorus extracted was 4.4 × 106 tonnes for an agricultural production of 5,844 × 106 tonnes, which respectively increased by 86% and 145% over 35 years. Food crops, i.e., cereals, fruits and vegetables, and legumes, accounted for 44% of the total phosphorus extracted, forages for 38%, and cash crops for 18%. Forage production exhibited a substantial increase since 1995, becoming the largest phosphorus extractor by 2000. Our estimation of embedded phosphorus is susceptible of utilization in other countries and is a first step to estimate a country's phosphorus balance, which is necessary to understand the magnitude of the anthropogenic alteration of a biogeochemical cycle that is essential for the maintenance of life on earth.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

Phosphorus is an essential element for agricultural production, and for life in general, whose availability as a mineral is geographically restricted. Considering that Mexico is a major contributor to the global flow of water embedded in agricultural commodities, it is likely that this country is also a major exporter of embedded phosphorus. Thus, we quantified the embedded phosphorus for the 38 major crops produced in Mexico from 1980 to 2015, which were grouped into forages, fruits and vegetables, cereals, legumes, and cash crops. The total phosphorus extracted was 4.4 × 106 tonnes for an agricultural production of 5,844 × 106 tonnes, which respectively increased by 86% and 145% over 35 years. Food crops, i.e., cereals, fruits and vegetables, and legumes, accounted for 44% of the total phosphorus extracted, forages for 38%, and cash crops for 18%. Forage production exhibited a substantial increase since 1995, becoming the largest phosphorus extractor by 2000. Our estimation of embedded phosphorus is susceptible of utilization in other countries and is a first step to estimate a country's phosphorus balance, which is necessary to understand the magnitude of the anthropogenic alteration of a biogeochemical cycle that is essential for the maintenance of life on earth.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352550921002104
doi:10.1016/j.spc.2021.07.011

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

@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 = {},

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.

https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/5/942
doi:10.3390/plants10050942

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