Mexico
Functional Diversity Changes during Tropical Forest SuccessionbackgroundThis paper evaluates changes in species richness and functional diversity during tropical secondary forest succession following shifting cultivation in Chiapas, Mexico. It examines whether speces richness is a good predictor of functional diversity. Research Goals & MethodsFunctional diversity was calculated based on a combination of nine functional traits and two individual traits important for primary production: specific leaf area and carbon sequestration (wood density). Open access copy available |
Neotropical Secondary Forest Succession: Changes in Structural and Functional CharacteristicsBackgroundThis paper reiviews the main biotic and abiotic factors that influence patterns of secondary forest succession in the Neotropics after complete forest clearance due to human activities. Research Goals & MethodsThe authors look at patterns of species replacement and various processes that occur during succession and suggest that the sequence of processes may be predictable even if species composition is not. Open access copy available |
Intensive Silvopastoral Systems: Improving Sustainability and Efficiency in Cattle Ranching LandscapesBackgroundThe article summarizes productivity benefits from implementation of intensive silvo-pastoral systems (ISPS) in Colombia, Mexico and Brazil, including benefits for the well-being of cattle, heightened biodiversity, and decreased area needed for production (allowing for greater quantities of forest area). The authors also summarize challenges inhibting greater adoption of intensive silvo-pastoral systems, and potential policy solutions for overcoming these challenges. Open access copy available |
Farmer Strategies for Dealing with Climatic Variability: A Case Study from the Mixteca Alta Region of Oaxaca, MexicobackgroundClimate change is likely to disproportionally effect tropical regions. Yet effective adaptation requires an understanding of climate variability at specific locations and most data is regional. This is particularly true for small-scale farmers, who are highly vulnerable. This paper calls for a bridging of scientific and traditional knowledge in order to construct this location-specific understanding. This article discusses participatory research in the mixteca alta region of oaxaca, mexico that facilitated a process whereby farmers evaluated the ability of their agroecosystems to withstand the vagaries of climate. Open access copy available |
Mitigation of Climate Change through Sustainable Forest Management and Capacity Building in the Southern States of MexicoBackgroundIn 2007/8 the Government of Mexican and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) developed a proposal for a forestry value chain project. The Community-based Forestry Development Project in the Southern States of Campeche, Chiapas, and Oaxaca, otherwise known as DECOFOS, was the project that emerged from this proposal. Open access copy available |
The Cultural Context of Forest Degradation in Adjacent Purépechan Communities, Michoacán, MexicoBackgroundThis study aims to understand the relationship between cultural and ecological drivers contributing to change in forest land use patterns by comparing two adjacent indigenous communities in the volcanic plateau region of Michoacán, Mexico. The study suggests that both cultural and ecological processes must be studied together to best understand the cultural causes of forest change and accurately assess ecological consequences. Available with subscription or purchase |
Las selvas secas del Pacífico Mexicano en el contexto mundial (The dry forests of the Pacific coast of Mexico in a global context)Open access copy available |
Evaluation of Native Tree Species for the Rehabilitation of Deforested Areas in a Mexican Cloud ForestbackgroundThis study examines the survival of four native tree species used in mixed-experimental plantations in the tropical montane forest of Veracruz, Mexico (1300-1900m). Tropical montane covers only 1% of land surface in Mexico but contains ~ 10% of all flowering plants. In Veracruz, forest fragments occupy on 10% of the oringinal forest cover. Available with subscription or purchase |
Germinación de semillas de seis especies de Bursera del centro de MéxicoEste artículo evaluó la influencia de la temperatura y el almacenamiento en la germinación de seis especies de Bursera nativas a México (B. bicolor, B. bipinnata, B. cipallifera, B. fagaroides, B. glabrifolia, B. grandifolia). Encontraron alta proporciones de semillas vanas en tres especies. Había un aumento en la germinación dentro de condiciones con una temperatura fluctuante (32-18 °C) en comparación con las semillas expuestos a una temperatura constante (25 °C). No hubo diferencias significativas en la germinación entre las especies con semillas almacenadas durante seis meses a temperatura ambiente y en refrigeración (25 °C). Después de cuatro meses, la germinación de Bursera glabrifolia, B. copallifera y B. bicolor fue del 30 a 60%. Open access copy available |
Cost-Effectiveness of Dryland Forest Restoration Evaluated by Spatial Analysis of Ecosystem ServicesbackgroundThis study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of dryland forest restoration through a comparative analysis of four study areas in Latin America. Research Goals & MethodsThe authors model multiple ecosystem services to estimate costs and benefits of restoring dryland forests under a range of economic valuation conditions. Open access copy available |
