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Papers by patricia moreno-casasola
Boletin De La Sociedad Botanica De Mexico, Dec 1, 2009
Journal of Coastal Research, Jan 13, 1998
Sustainability, 2021
The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic that has altered practically all human acti... more The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic that has altered practically all human activities worldwide. Since the pandemic started at the beginning of 2020, infections have fluctuated drastically over time. It is difficult to predict how this situation will evolve in the coming months/years or when a return to some semblance of ’normal’ activity might occur. Because of global lock-up and distancing measures, the beaches, otherwise filled with tourists, first emptied and then had a reduced density of visitors owing to a wide variety of social-distancing measures. Therefore, new safety protocols need to include a wide range of aspects, such as epidemiological conditions, socioeconomic realities, and ecological contexts in which the pandemic occurs. Here, we propose new nature-based landscapes for sandy beaches to help maintain the social distancing of beach visitors while beaches and dunes are restored. When sufficient sediment is available, the maintenance and restoration ...
Animal husbandry in Mexico began with the arrival of the Spaniards and the creation of New Spain.... more Animal husbandry in Mexico began with the arrival of the Spaniards and the creation of New Spain. It changed significantly in the middle of the 20th century with the introduction of the Zebu breed of cattle and improved pastures. From the beginning, wetlands were used for cattle grazing, and we describe the transformations that occur in grazed wetlands that convert them into flooded pastures. The degree of impact depends on the number of cows, the time they are in the wetland, and modifications to hydroperiod and vegetation. We describe the changes in the level of flooding, the soil characteristics (organic matter, water retention, bulk density, pH, micro- and macronutrients) and floristic composition, and how all this affects the environmental services produced by wetlands. With the introduction of cattle breeds tolerant of tropical environments, mainly Zebu cattle, and of exotic forage grasses that can grow in wetlands, the impact has increased. These grasses drastically alter the...
Two herbaceous Ipomoea climbers grow over trees planted to restore a freshwater forested wetland ... more Two herbaceous Ipomoea climbers grow over trees planted to restore a freshwater forested wetland in the Gulf of Mexico, causing high tree mortality and limiting restoration success. To better control these species, we evaluated their potential for biomass accumulation and regeneration following removal. We simulated the tree-climber relationship in a field experiment by varying light conditions and trellis availability, and by cutting aerial biomass. We also considered the spatial variability of the wetland’s flood level. Ipomoea tiliacea accumulated more biomass at low flood levels, while Ipomoea indica accumulated more biomass at higher flood levels. Despite this, I. tiliacea accumulated more biomass over the entire flood level gradient and the highest flood levels seem to prevent regeneration in both species. There was no vine seed germination, so for both species, regeneration relied on shoot production. I. tiliacea increased its growth more than I. indica when trellises were av...
Impacts of Invasive Species on Coastal Environments, 2018
Tropical wetlands are commonly used for cattle ranching and have been modified either by draining... more Tropical wetlands are commonly used for cattle ranching and have been modified either by draining them or introducing non-native species that are palatable to cattle. Some of these introduced species have become wetland and dune invaders. In Mexico, the introduction of antelope grass (Echinochloa pyramidalis) and its effects are being documented. This grass species is highly appreciated by cattle ranchers and is invading natural wetlands. It has C4 photosynthesis, high biomass production and high vegetative propagation, is tolerant to grazing and able to grow in both flooded and dry conditions. It is reducing plant biodiversity by increasing its own aerial coverage, changing wetland hydrology, reducing faunal habitat and causing soil physicochemical changes (e.g. vertical accretion). Reducing its dominance and increasing the density of native wetland species is difficult, expensive and time-consuming. We began a restoration project in a coastal wetland in central Veracruz, Gulf of Mexico, which included using shade to control the invader. This strategy reduced E. pyramidalis cover and increased the cover of native species, highlighting the importance of understanding the functional differences between native and invasive species when developing strategies for the control and eradication of problematic species.
Botanical Sciences, 2019
Los lagos interdunarios de la costa de Veracruz, México, son cuerpos de agua dulce, someros, que ... more Los lagos interdunarios de la costa de Veracruz, México, son cuerpos de agua dulce, someros, que presentan condiciones favorables para el establecimiento de humedales herbáceos y arbóreos. Las dunas que los rodean han sido transformadas en potreros introduciéndose especies forrajeras y caña de azúcar. Nuestro objetivo es describir y comparar la estructura, composición y diversidad de la vegetación de humedales de 15 lagos interdunarios en la zona rural. Se tomaron en cuenta factores ambientales como pH, salinidad, tamaño, profundidad y número de meses secos. Se registraron 46 familias (27 de las cuales son acuáticas estrictas) y 82 especies, entre ellas Sagittaria lancifolia, Pontederia sagittata, Ceratophyllum demersum. La riqueza fluctuó entre 5 y 33 especies. La clasificación encontró nueve grupos florísticos en los humedales de estos lagos, y en tres de ellos aparecen especies de pastos usados en la ganadería (Cynodon dactylon, Echinochloa pyramidalis). El principal eje de varia...
Investigacion Ambiental Ciencia Y Politica Publica, Mar 4, 2014
Resumen Los humedales de agua dulce son ecosistemas naturales importantes para el mantenimiento d... more Resumen Los humedales de agua dulce son ecosistemas naturales importantes para el mantenimiento de la biodiversidad y de una amplia gama de servicios ambientales. A pesar de su importancia, la integridad de estos ecosistemas en la zona costera del Golfo de México está amenazada por la introducción e invasión de gramíneas no-nativas. Estas especies son introducidas a los humedales por su tolerancia a la inundación y para el mantenimiento de la ganadería extensiva. En este artículo se presenta un ejemplo de invasión de un humedal herbáceo de agua dulce (popal-tular) del Centro de Investigaciones Costeras La Mancha, Veracruz, por la gramínea africana Echinochloa pyramidalis. Estudios de campo y una serie de experimentos de campo han permitido entender el proceso de invasión y la biología de la especie invasora. Con base en esta información se planteó un proyecto de restauración ecológica que representa el primer caso en México de restauración de un humedal de agua dulce.
Cuadernos de biodiversidad, 2000
Cuadernos de biodiversidad, 2008
Journal of Latin American Geography, 2006
Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 2006
Canadian Journal of Botany, 1993
Chamaecrista chamaecristoides is a legume endemic to the coastal sand dunes along the coasts of M... more Chamaecrista chamaecristoides is a legume endemic to the coastal sand dunes along the coasts of Mexico. Hard-coat dormancy of seeds is broken through naturally occurring temperature fluctuations, and seedlings can emerge and establish throughout the year. In the study site, winter storms (called Nortes) are responsible for moving large quantities of sand that bury young seedlings. The objectives of the study were (i) to elucidate the timing of seedling emergence, (ii) to investigate the effect of date of emergence on seedling survival, and (iii) to evaluate different factors of mortality. Seedling survival was monitored under natural conditions, from January 1988 to April 1991. Survivorship curves were compared using the log-rank Peto and Peto test. It was found that the probability of survival or reproduction was not strictly determined by chronological age but by size. Larger sized seedlings survived better during the Nortes. Timing of germination has a great impact on C. chamaecr...
Boletin De La Sociedad Botanica De Mexico, Dec 1, 2009
Journal of Coastal Research, Jan 13, 1998
Sustainability, 2021
The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic that has altered practically all human acti... more The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic that has altered practically all human activities worldwide. Since the pandemic started at the beginning of 2020, infections have fluctuated drastically over time. It is difficult to predict how this situation will evolve in the coming months/years or when a return to some semblance of ’normal’ activity might occur. Because of global lock-up and distancing measures, the beaches, otherwise filled with tourists, first emptied and then had a reduced density of visitors owing to a wide variety of social-distancing measures. Therefore, new safety protocols need to include a wide range of aspects, such as epidemiological conditions, socioeconomic realities, and ecological contexts in which the pandemic occurs. Here, we propose new nature-based landscapes for sandy beaches to help maintain the social distancing of beach visitors while beaches and dunes are restored. When sufficient sediment is available, the maintenance and restoration ...
Animal husbandry in Mexico began with the arrival of the Spaniards and the creation of New Spain.... more Animal husbandry in Mexico began with the arrival of the Spaniards and the creation of New Spain. It changed significantly in the middle of the 20th century with the introduction of the Zebu breed of cattle and improved pastures. From the beginning, wetlands were used for cattle grazing, and we describe the transformations that occur in grazed wetlands that convert them into flooded pastures. The degree of impact depends on the number of cows, the time they are in the wetland, and modifications to hydroperiod and vegetation. We describe the changes in the level of flooding, the soil characteristics (organic matter, water retention, bulk density, pH, micro- and macronutrients) and floristic composition, and how all this affects the environmental services produced by wetlands. With the introduction of cattle breeds tolerant of tropical environments, mainly Zebu cattle, and of exotic forage grasses that can grow in wetlands, the impact has increased. These grasses drastically alter the...
Two herbaceous Ipomoea climbers grow over trees planted to restore a freshwater forested wetland ... more Two herbaceous Ipomoea climbers grow over trees planted to restore a freshwater forested wetland in the Gulf of Mexico, causing high tree mortality and limiting restoration success. To better control these species, we evaluated their potential for biomass accumulation and regeneration following removal. We simulated the tree-climber relationship in a field experiment by varying light conditions and trellis availability, and by cutting aerial biomass. We also considered the spatial variability of the wetland’s flood level. Ipomoea tiliacea accumulated more biomass at low flood levels, while Ipomoea indica accumulated more biomass at higher flood levels. Despite this, I. tiliacea accumulated more biomass over the entire flood level gradient and the highest flood levels seem to prevent regeneration in both species. There was no vine seed germination, so for both species, regeneration relied on shoot production. I. tiliacea increased its growth more than I. indica when trellises were av...
Impacts of Invasive Species on Coastal Environments, 2018
Tropical wetlands are commonly used for cattle ranching and have been modified either by draining... more Tropical wetlands are commonly used for cattle ranching and have been modified either by draining them or introducing non-native species that are palatable to cattle. Some of these introduced species have become wetland and dune invaders. In Mexico, the introduction of antelope grass (Echinochloa pyramidalis) and its effects are being documented. This grass species is highly appreciated by cattle ranchers and is invading natural wetlands. It has C4 photosynthesis, high biomass production and high vegetative propagation, is tolerant to grazing and able to grow in both flooded and dry conditions. It is reducing plant biodiversity by increasing its own aerial coverage, changing wetland hydrology, reducing faunal habitat and causing soil physicochemical changes (e.g. vertical accretion). Reducing its dominance and increasing the density of native wetland species is difficult, expensive and time-consuming. We began a restoration project in a coastal wetland in central Veracruz, Gulf of Mexico, which included using shade to control the invader. This strategy reduced E. pyramidalis cover and increased the cover of native species, highlighting the importance of understanding the functional differences between native and invasive species when developing strategies for the control and eradication of problematic species.
Botanical Sciences, 2019
Los lagos interdunarios de la costa de Veracruz, México, son cuerpos de agua dulce, someros, que ... more Los lagos interdunarios de la costa de Veracruz, México, son cuerpos de agua dulce, someros, que presentan condiciones favorables para el establecimiento de humedales herbáceos y arbóreos. Las dunas que los rodean han sido transformadas en potreros introduciéndose especies forrajeras y caña de azúcar. Nuestro objetivo es describir y comparar la estructura, composición y diversidad de la vegetación de humedales de 15 lagos interdunarios en la zona rural. Se tomaron en cuenta factores ambientales como pH, salinidad, tamaño, profundidad y número de meses secos. Se registraron 46 familias (27 de las cuales son acuáticas estrictas) y 82 especies, entre ellas Sagittaria lancifolia, Pontederia sagittata, Ceratophyllum demersum. La riqueza fluctuó entre 5 y 33 especies. La clasificación encontró nueve grupos florísticos en los humedales de estos lagos, y en tres de ellos aparecen especies de pastos usados en la ganadería (Cynodon dactylon, Echinochloa pyramidalis). El principal eje de varia...
Investigacion Ambiental Ciencia Y Politica Publica, Mar 4, 2014
Resumen Los humedales de agua dulce son ecosistemas naturales importantes para el mantenimiento d... more Resumen Los humedales de agua dulce son ecosistemas naturales importantes para el mantenimiento de la biodiversidad y de una amplia gama de servicios ambientales. A pesar de su importancia, la integridad de estos ecosistemas en la zona costera del Golfo de México está amenazada por la introducción e invasión de gramíneas no-nativas. Estas especies son introducidas a los humedales por su tolerancia a la inundación y para el mantenimiento de la ganadería extensiva. En este artículo se presenta un ejemplo de invasión de un humedal herbáceo de agua dulce (popal-tular) del Centro de Investigaciones Costeras La Mancha, Veracruz, por la gramínea africana Echinochloa pyramidalis. Estudios de campo y una serie de experimentos de campo han permitido entender el proceso de invasión y la biología de la especie invasora. Con base en esta información se planteó un proyecto de restauración ecológica que representa el primer caso en México de restauración de un humedal de agua dulce.
Cuadernos de biodiversidad, 2000
Cuadernos de biodiversidad, 2008
Journal of Latin American Geography, 2006
Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 2006
Canadian Journal of Botany, 1993
Chamaecrista chamaecristoides is a legume endemic to the coastal sand dunes along the coasts of M... more Chamaecrista chamaecristoides is a legume endemic to the coastal sand dunes along the coasts of Mexico. Hard-coat dormancy of seeds is broken through naturally occurring temperature fluctuations, and seedlings can emerge and establish throughout the year. In the study site, winter storms (called Nortes) are responsible for moving large quantities of sand that bury young seedlings. The objectives of the study were (i) to elucidate the timing of seedling emergence, (ii) to investigate the effect of date of emergence on seedling survival, and (iii) to evaluate different factors of mortality. Seedling survival was monitored under natural conditions, from January 1988 to April 1991. Survivorship curves were compared using the log-rank Peto and Peto test. It was found that the probability of survival or reproduction was not strictly determined by chronological age but by size. Larger sized seedlings survived better during the Nortes. Timing of germination has a great impact on C. chamaecr...