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Primary forests in seasonally dry tropical regions have undergone intense land-use/cover change, ranging from widespread shifting agriculture to land clearing for livestock production systems, and selective logging. Despite the importance of tropical dry forests (TDF), little is known about the implications of carbon (C) emissions from deforestation in local, national, and global scales. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to quantify and understand the processes that drive major C losses of this ecosystem in Mexico. Also, we evaluated the applicability of the already published above ground biomass (AGB) maps to quantify and allocate changes in C stocks. The results suggest that biomass maps can be used to capture the patterns of AGB distribution and to identify the driving forces of C emissions. The C losses are more related to socioeconomic drivers than biophysical characteristics like topography and climate. Besides, this study shows that published current AGB maps may be used for landscape management, including conservation and restoration areas.
Rogelio O. Corona-Núñez; Alma V Mendoza-Ponce; Julio Campo. Assessment of above-ground biomass and carbon loss from a tropical dry forest in Mexico. Journal of Environmental Management 2021, 282, 111973 .
AMA StyleRogelio O. Corona-Núñez, Alma V Mendoza-Ponce, Julio Campo. Assessment of above-ground biomass and carbon loss from a tropical dry forest in Mexico. Journal of Environmental Management. 2021; 282 ():111973.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRogelio O. Corona-Núñez; Alma V Mendoza-Ponce; Julio Campo. 2021. "Assessment of above-ground biomass and carbon loss from a tropical dry forest in Mexico." Journal of Environmental Management 282, no. : 111973.
The sub-humid native rainforest in Yucatan is one of the most endangered in Mexico. Cattle production is one of the main causes of land use change and silvopastoral systems are a feasible alternative. This work compares the sustainable performance of silvopastoral (native and intensive) and monoculture cattle farms in the state of Yucatan using the Sustainability Assessment for Food and Agriculture (SAFA) framework. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were applied in 9 farms. Responses were fed to the SAFA Tool to obtain sustainability polygons. Percentages of SAFA themes positively and negatively valuated were calculated. Native farms had positive ratings for Participation, Land, Biodiversity and Cultural Diversity, whereas intensive excelled on Holistic Management. Native farms had limited ratings for Decent Livelihood. Native farms (and one intensive silvopastoral farm) had the highest percentages of themes positively valuated compared to monocultures (and one intensive silvopastoral farm), which scored the lowest. Positive evaluations identified native systems as an option for sustainable production; however, areas of opportunity in all farms were discovered. This is the first comparative study using SAFA to evaluate differences in farming systems in the Mexican tropics, providing valuable information to generate policies and incentives on sustainable livestock production, as well as for improving evaluation tools for local application.
Fernanda Pérez-Lombardini; Karen F. Mancera; Gerardo Suzán; Julio Campo; Javier Solorio; Francisco Galindo. Assessing Sustainability in Cattle Silvopastoral Systems in the Mexican Tropics Using the SAFA Framework. Animals 2021, 11, 109 .
AMA StyleFernanda Pérez-Lombardini, Karen F. Mancera, Gerardo Suzán, Julio Campo, Javier Solorio, Francisco Galindo. Assessing Sustainability in Cattle Silvopastoral Systems in the Mexican Tropics Using the SAFA Framework. Animals. 2021; 11 (1):109.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFernanda Pérez-Lombardini; Karen F. Mancera; Gerardo Suzán; Julio Campo; Javier Solorio; Francisco Galindo. 2021. "Assessing Sustainability in Cattle Silvopastoral Systems in the Mexican Tropics Using the SAFA Framework." Animals 11, no. 1: 109.
Biomass burning, including fires, has been identified as the largest source of primary fine carbonaceous particles in the troposphere, and one of the major drivers of global carbon (C) cycle, cloud properties and climate. Most of the global C emissions happen in the Pantropic region. Modeling estimates suggest an increase in Mexican fire frequencies, intensity and C emission to the atmosphere. However, no study has combined field and satellite data to estimate C emissions by fires for any tropical country. Here, we present an approach to estimate the spatiotemporal variability of fires and its total C emissions in Mexico with the associated climate that combines national fire‐inventories with remote sensing. We provide evidence that tropical ecosystems, particularly tropical forests at Yucatan Peninsula, Pacific Coast and Gulf of Mexico provide the largest C emissions with high fire densities. We found evidence to contrast the relationships of the inter‐ and intra‐annual variability of C emissions with immediate and lagged climate effects such as El Niño and La Niña events. Data also indicate that C emissions from fires are up‐to 11 times higher than those from deforestation, and account 19% of the total National CO2 emissions, and 5% of the total Pantropical C emissions. Because fires are related to climate change, we encourage future studies to focus on climate fire‐feedbacks for implementing adequate climate mitigation strategies.
Rogelio O. Corona‐Núñez; Fangjun Li; Julio E. Campo. Fires Represent an Important Source of Carbon Emissions in Mexico. Global Biogeochemical Cycles 2020, 34, 1 .
AMA StyleRogelio O. Corona‐Núñez, Fangjun Li, Julio E. Campo. Fires Represent an Important Source of Carbon Emissions in Mexico. Global Biogeochemical Cycles. 2020; 34 (12):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRogelio O. Corona‐Núñez; Fangjun Li; Julio E. Campo. 2020. "Fires Represent an Important Source of Carbon Emissions in Mexico." Global Biogeochemical Cycles 34, no. 12: 1.
The effects of converting native forests to livestock systems on soil C, N and P contents across various climatic zones are not well understood for the tropical region. The goal of this study was to test how soil C, N and P dynamics are affected by the land-use change from natural forests to livestock production systems (extensive pasture and intensive silvopastoral systems) across a rainfall gradient of 1611–711 mm per year in the Mexican tropics. A total of 15 soil-based biogeochemical metrics were measured in samples collected during the dry and rainy seasons in livestock systems and mature forests for land-use and intersite comparisons of the nutrient status. Our results show that land-use change from natural forests to livestock production systems had a negative effect on soil C, N and P contents. In general, soil basal respiration and C-acquiring enzyme activities increased under livestock production systems. Additionally, reduction in mean annual rainfall affected moisture-sensitive biogeochemical processes affecting the C, N and P dynamics. Our findings imply that land-use changes alter soil C, N and P dynamics and contents, with potential negative consequences for the sustainability of livestock production systems in the tropical regions of Mexico investigated.
Daniela Figueroa; Patricia Ortega-Fernández; Thalita Abbruzzini; Anaitzi Rivero-Villlar; Francisco Galindo; Bruno Chavez-Vergara; Jorge Etchevers; Julio Campo. Effects of Land Use Change from Natural Forest to Livestock on Soil C, N and P Dynamics along a Rainfall Gradient in Mexico. Sustainability 2020, 12, 8656 .
AMA StyleDaniela Figueroa, Patricia Ortega-Fernández, Thalita Abbruzzini, Anaitzi Rivero-Villlar, Francisco Galindo, Bruno Chavez-Vergara, Jorge Etchevers, Julio Campo. Effects of Land Use Change from Natural Forest to Livestock on Soil C, N and P Dynamics along a Rainfall Gradient in Mexico. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (20):8656.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDaniela Figueroa; Patricia Ortega-Fernández; Thalita Abbruzzini; Anaitzi Rivero-Villlar; Francisco Galindo; Bruno Chavez-Vergara; Jorge Etchevers; Julio Campo. 2020. "Effects of Land Use Change from Natural Forest to Livestock on Soil C, N and P Dynamics along a Rainfall Gradient in Mexico." Sustainability 12, no. 20: 8656.
La degradación y erosión edáfica por cambios de uso suelo, disminuyen los contenidos de carbono y su calidad. Con el objetivo de identificar y reconocer los mejores indicadores de calidad edáfica y de relacionarla con sus contenidos de carbono orgánico, se realizó esta investigación en bosques de la Reserva de la Biósfera los Volcanes. Se seleccionaron 26 sitios distribuidos entre 2600 y 3800 m de altitud colectando muestras de suelo de 0 a -0.2 m para análisis físicos y químicos y entre 0 a -0.1 m para bioquímicos y biológicos. Los resultados mostraron como excelentes indicadores parciales para evaluar calidad del suelo (IpCS) al pH, porcentaje de arena; contenido gravimétrico de agua, carbono orgánico, Ca+2 y K+ intercambiables; carbono de biomasa microbiana y actividad fosfatasa ácida y presencia/abundancia de bacterias y algas. Con estos IpCS, se determinó aditiva y conmutativamente, calidad total del suelo (CSTsum y CSTmul) cuyas tendencias fueron similares, aunque el modelo aditivo, muestra mejor que bosques afectados y vegetación secundaria (2600 y 2700 m) tienen menor calidad edáfica, mientras que en la franja media (3000-3300 m) con bosques de Abies y mixto Abies-Pino, los suelos tuvieron mayores contenidos de carbono orgánico y altas CSTsum y CSTmul.
Gerardo Cruz-Flores; Eloisa A. Guerra-Hernández; Juan M. Valderrábano-Gómez; Julio Campo-Alvés. Indicadores de calidad de suelos en bosques templados de la Reserva de la Biosfera los Volcanes, México. REVISTA TERRA LATINOAMERICANA 2020, 38, 781 -793.
AMA StyleGerardo Cruz-Flores, Eloisa A. Guerra-Hernández, Juan M. Valderrábano-Gómez, Julio Campo-Alvés. Indicadores de calidad de suelos en bosques templados de la Reserva de la Biosfera los Volcanes, México. REVISTA TERRA LATINOAMERICANA. 2020; 38 (4):781-793.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGerardo Cruz-Flores; Eloisa A. Guerra-Hernández; Juan M. Valderrábano-Gómez; Julio Campo-Alvés. 2020. "Indicadores de calidad de suelos en bosques templados de la Reserva de la Biosfera los Volcanes, México." REVISTA TERRA LATINOAMERICANA 38, no. 4: 781-793.
Deforestation of tropical dry forest reduces soil fertility, with negative effects on future restoration intervention. To evaluate the effect of initial soil properties on three-year performance of six tree species in restoration settings, we measured C, N, and P contents in topsoils of 48 plots under minimal (exclusions of livestock grazing) and maximal (plantings of six native species) restoration intervention during two years in tropical dry forest in central Mexico. Survival and height and diameter relative growth rates were evaluated by species and by growth rank (three fast- and three slow-growing species). After two years, organic C and the C:N ratio increased early during natural succession; these increases might be related to high density of N2-fixing recruits at both intervention levels. Changes in N availability for plants (i.e., NO3− and NH4+ contents) occurred after cattle exclusion. After 40 months, the fast-growing legume Leucaena esculenta (DC.) Benth. had the highest survival (65.55%) and relative growth rate in both height (3.16%) and diameter (5.67%). Fast-growing species had higher survival and diameter growth rates than slow-growing species. Higher diameter growth rates for fast-growing species may be associated with a higher ability to forage for soil resources, whereas similar height growth rates for slow and fast-growing species suggested low competition for light due to slow natural succession at the site. Planted seedlings had higher survival possibly due to initial high NO3− content in the soil. Also, fast-growing species seem to benefit from initially higher pH in the soil. Both soil properties (i.e., pH and NO3−) may be augmented to favor the performance of fast-growing species in restoration plantings and to further accelerate soil recovery in tropical dry forests.
Valentina Carrasco-Carballido; Cristina Martínez-Garza; Héctor Jiménez-Hernández; Flavio Márquez-Torres; Julio Campo. Effects of Initial Soil Properties on Three-Year Performance of Six Tree Species in Tropical Dry Forest Restoration Plantings. Forests 2019, 10, 428 .
AMA StyleValentina Carrasco-Carballido, Cristina Martínez-Garza, Héctor Jiménez-Hernández, Flavio Márquez-Torres, Julio Campo. Effects of Initial Soil Properties on Three-Year Performance of Six Tree Species in Tropical Dry Forest Restoration Plantings. Forests. 2019; 10 (5):428.
Chicago/Turabian StyleValentina Carrasco-Carballido; Cristina Martínez-Garza; Héctor Jiménez-Hernández; Flavio Márquez-Torres; Julio Campo. 2019. "Effects of Initial Soil Properties on Three-Year Performance of Six Tree Species in Tropical Dry Forest Restoration Plantings." Forests 10, no. 5: 428.
We analyzed the influence of mean annual rainfall and duration of seasonal drought on soil P cycling along a rainfall regime gradient including mature tropical dry forests growing under similar temperature, rainfall seasonality and geological (limestone) conditions. We investigated the distribution of different P forms in fine roots, litterfall, forest floor and mineral soils, and we examined how the distribution was related to rainfall regime. The total concentration of extractable P differed across sites. Thus, the P concentration in roots and litterfall was higher in the wettest stands than in the driest stands. The P concentration fluctuated in the forest floor, and in mineral soils it increased as the rainfall decreased. Solution 31P NMR revealed that orthophosphates and monoester-P dominated the P content of roots, litterfall, forest floor and mineral soils. Although the concentration of orthophosphate in roots decreased as the rainfall decreased, this P form accumulated in the forest floor and mineral soils under conditions of drought. Low rainfall also affected the concentration of monoester-P in roots, litterfall and mineral soils, which decreased as rainfall decreased. Diester-P and pyrophosphate were detected in small amounts in all materials analyzed, and although the concentrations of these compounds in roots fluctuated across the rainfall gradient, they generally decreased in the litterfall and mineral soils with decrease in rainfall. We conclude that the long-term consequences of an increase in drought in these forest ecosystems will include a decrease in the cycling of organic P forms and an increase in inorganic P content in soils, mainly due to restricted uptake of P by plants and less soil leaching. If primary productivity is maintained, these tropical dry forests may therefore become significant soil P hotspots under the predicted increased duration of drought.
Julio Campo; Agustín Merino. Linking organic P dynamics in tropical dry forests to changes in rainfall regime: Evidences of the Yucatan Peninsula. Forest Ecology and Management 2019, 438, 75 -85.
AMA StyleJulio Campo, Agustín Merino. Linking organic P dynamics in tropical dry forests to changes in rainfall regime: Evidences of the Yucatan Peninsula. Forest Ecology and Management. 2019; 438 ():75-85.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJulio Campo; Agustín Merino. 2019. "Linking organic P dynamics in tropical dry forests to changes in rainfall regime: Evidences of the Yucatan Peninsula." Forest Ecology and Management 438, no. : 75-85.
Anaitzi Rivero-Villar; Pamela H. Templer; Víctor Parra-Tabla; Julio Campo. Differences in nitrogen cycling between tropical dry forests with contrasting precipitation revealed by stable isotopes of nitrogen in plants and soils. Biotropica 2018, 50, 859 -867.
AMA StyleAnaitzi Rivero-Villar, Pamela H. Templer, Víctor Parra-Tabla, Julio Campo. Differences in nitrogen cycling between tropical dry forests with contrasting precipitation revealed by stable isotopes of nitrogen in plants and soils. Biotropica. 2018; 50 (6):859-867.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnaitzi Rivero-Villar; Pamela H. Templer; Víctor Parra-Tabla; Julio Campo. 2018. "Differences in nitrogen cycling between tropical dry forests with contrasting precipitation revealed by stable isotopes of nitrogen in plants and soils." Biotropica 50, no. 6: 859-867.
Open coal mining eliminates vegetation, alters physical and chemical characteristics of soils, and therefore limit the establishment of native vegetation by lack of sufficient moisture, increase bulk density and low organic matter content. Restoration of extremely degraded areas through plantation of fast growing species is expected to accelerate the recovers of soil organic matter and nutrient cycles. The purposes of this study were to compare intra‐system cycling of C, N, P and base cations in native and restored forests at an open‐cast coal mine in a dry region of Colombia. Leaf‐fall, standing leaf litter, and their N, P, Ca, Mg and K contents were measured for one year in native forests and restored forests of various ages (7, 10, 21 years). The exploitation of coal in La Guajira degraded soil fertility, and, although tree planting was sufficient to achieve the partial recovery of soil chemistry and N cycling relative to reference conditions (i.e., native forest), a P deficiency in forest function remained unresolved even 21 years after restoration. The restoration of biogeochemical processes, particularly of critical processes of the P cycle, requires additional human interventions (such as the application of nutrient‐rich litterfall from native forests of the region) that favor nutrient dynamics and lead to the recovery of a self‐sustaining ecosystem. Thus, multiple efforts are needed for the restoration of these dryland forests to recover ecosystem services (such as soil fertility) that improve C sequestration and help mitigate climate change.
Jeiner Castellanos Barliza; Juan Diego León Peláez; Julio Campo. Recovery of biogeochemical processes in restored tropical dry forest on a coal mine spoil in La Guajira, Colombia. Land Degradation & Development 2018, 29, 3174 -3183.
AMA StyleJeiner Castellanos Barliza, Juan Diego León Peláez, Julio Campo. Recovery of biogeochemical processes in restored tropical dry forest on a coal mine spoil in La Guajira, Colombia. Land Degradation & Development. 2018; 29 (9):3174-3183.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJeiner Castellanos Barliza; Juan Diego León Peláez; Julio Campo. 2018. "Recovery of biogeochemical processes in restored tropical dry forest on a coal mine spoil in La Guajira, Colombia." Land Degradation & Development 29, no. 9: 3174-3183.
The effect of precipitation regime on N and P cycles in tropical forests is poorly understood, despite global climate models project total precipitation reductions during the 21st Century. I investigated the influence of variation in annual precipitation (1240–642 mm yr−1) on N and P intra-system cycling along a precipitation regime gradient at Yucatan including 12 mature, tropical dry forests (TDFs) growing under otherwise similar conditions (similar annual temperature, rainfall seasonality and geological substrate). I analyzed N and P storage and turnover in the forest floor and mineral soil and explored the dependence of these processes and pools on precipitation level. The study findings indicate that with decreasing precipitation the litterfall decreases slightly (10%), while nutrient use efficiency increases by 20% for N, and by 40% for P. Decomposition rate and nutrient release was smallest in the dry extremity of precipitation regime. The difference between N and P turnover times in the forest floor and in organic matter indicates that different nutrients control the ecosystem function across the precipitation gradient. The data from this study reveals a pattern of limitation shifting from P towards N with decreasing annual precipitation. I suggest that the long-term consequences of the expected decrease in precipitation in many tropical dry regions would changes N and P supply could have long-term negative effects on primary productivity and future carbon storage in TDFs.
Julio Campo. Shift from ecosystem P to N limitation at precipitation gradient in tropical dry forests at Yucatan, Mexico. Environmental Research Letters 2016, 11, 95006 .
AMA StyleJulio Campo. Shift from ecosystem P to N limitation at precipitation gradient in tropical dry forests at Yucatan, Mexico. Environmental Research Letters. 2016; 11 (9):95006.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJulio Campo. 2016. "Shift from ecosystem P to N limitation at precipitation gradient in tropical dry forests at Yucatan, Mexico." Environmental Research Letters 11, no. 9: 95006.
The effect of precipitation regime on the C cycle of tropical forests is poorly understood, despite the existence of models that suggest a drier climate may substantially alter the source-sink function of these ecosystems. Along a precipitation regime gradient containing 12 mature seasonally dry tropical forests growing under otherwise similar conditions (similar annual temperature, rainfall seasonality, and geological substrate), we analyzed the influence of variation in annual precipitation (1240 to 642 mm) and duration of seasonal drought on soil C. We investigated litterfall, decomposition in the forest floor, and C storage in the mineral soil, and analyzed the dependence of these processes and pools on precipitation. Litterfall decreased slightly – about 10% – from stands with 1240 mm yr−1 to those with 642 mm yr−1, while the decomposition decreased by 56%. Reduced precipitation strongly affected C storage and basal respiration in the mineral soil. Higher soil C storage at the drier sites was also related to the higher chemical recalcitrance of litter (fine roots and forest floor) and the presence of charcoal across sites, suggesting an important indirect influence of climate on C sequestration. Basal respiration was controlled by the amount of recalcitrant organic matter in the mineral soil. We conclude that in these forest ecosystems, the long-term consequences of decreased precipitation would be an increase in organic layer and mineral soil C storage, mainly due to lower decomposition and higher chemical recalcitrance of organic matter, resulting from changes in litter composition and, likely also, wildfire patterns. This could turn these seasonally dry tropical forests into significant soil C sinks under the predicted longer drought periods if primary productivity is maintained.
Julio Campo; Agustín Merino. Variations in soil carbon sequestration and their determinants along a precipitation gradient in seasonally dry tropical forest ecosystems. Global Change Biology 2016, 22, 1942 -1956.
AMA StyleJulio Campo, Agustín Merino. Variations in soil carbon sequestration and their determinants along a precipitation gradient in seasonally dry tropical forest ecosystems. Global Change Biology. 2016; 22 (5):1942-1956.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJulio Campo; Agustín Merino. 2016. "Variations in soil carbon sequestration and their determinants along a precipitation gradient in seasonally dry tropical forest ecosystems." Global Change Biology 22, no. 5: 1942-1956.
Leaf traits are closely associated with nutrient use by plants and can be utilized as a proxy for nutrient cycling processes. However, open questions remain, in particular regarding the variability of leaf traits within and across seasonally dry tropical forests. To address this, we considered six leaf traits (specific area, thickness, dry matter content, N content, P content and natural abundance (15)N) of four co-occurring tree species (two that are not associated with N2-fixing bacteria and two that are associated with N2-fixing bacteria) and net N mineralization rates and inorganic N concentrations along a precipitation gradient (537-1036 mm per year) in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Specifically we sought to test the hypothesis that leaf traits of dominant plant species shift along a precipitation gradient, but are affected by soil N cycling. Although variation among different species within each site explains some leaf trait variation, there is also a high level of variability across sites, suggesting that factors other than precipitation regime more strongly influence leaf traits. Principal component analyses indicated that across sites and tree species, covariation in leaf traits is an indicator of soil N availability. Patterns of natural abundance (15)N in foliage and foliage minus soil suggest that variation in precipitation regime drives a shift in plant N acquisition and the openness of the N cycle. Overall, our study shows that both plant species and site are important determinants of leaf traits, and that the leaf trait spectrum is correlated with soil N cycling.
Lilia L. Roa-Fuentes; Pamela H. Templer; Julio Campo. Effects of precipitation regime and soil nitrogen on leaf traits in seasonally dry tropical forests of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Oecologia 2015, 179, 585 -597.
AMA StyleLilia L. Roa-Fuentes, Pamela H. Templer, Julio Campo. Effects of precipitation regime and soil nitrogen on leaf traits in seasonally dry tropical forests of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Oecologia. 2015; 179 (2):585-597.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLilia L. Roa-Fuentes; Pamela H. Templer; Julio Campo. 2015. "Effects of precipitation regime and soil nitrogen on leaf traits in seasonally dry tropical forests of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico." Oecologia 179, no. 2: 585-597.
We conducted a year‐long field experiment to investigate how nitrogen addition affected decomposition of Piscidia piscipula and Gymnopodium floribundum along a precipitation gradient in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Nitrogen addition did not affect decomposition rates at the drier sites. However, fertilization at the wettest site increased the decomposition of Gymnopodium litter and decreased the decomposition of Piscidia litter. Water‐soluble carbon and lignin, and water‐soluble carbon and nitrogen concentrations were the best predictors of decomposition for Gymnopodium and Piscidia litters, respectively. We conclude that the effects of nitrogen addition on decomposition will vary from site to site as a function of mean annual precipitation, inherent soil fertility, and species identity.
Marylin Bejarano; Maria M. Crosby; Victor Parra-Tabla; Jorge D. Etchevers; Julio Campo. Precipitation Regime and Nitrogen Addition Effects on Leaf Litter Decomposition in Tropical Dry Forests. Biotropica 2014, 46, 415 -424.
AMA StyleMarylin Bejarano, Maria M. Crosby, Victor Parra-Tabla, Jorge D. Etchevers, Julio Campo. Precipitation Regime and Nitrogen Addition Effects on Leaf Litter Decomposition in Tropical Dry Forests. Biotropica. 2014; 46 (4):415-424.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarylin Bejarano; Maria M. Crosby; Victor Parra-Tabla; Jorge D. Etchevers; Julio Campo. 2014. "Precipitation Regime and Nitrogen Addition Effects on Leaf Litter Decomposition in Tropical Dry Forests." Biotropica 46, no. 4: 415-424.
We compared the N and P contents of the main labile components of nutrient cycles in three different forest ecosystems [a tropical evergreen forest (TEF); a tropical dry forest (TDF); and a Mediterranean temperate forest (MTF)] with low P supply. A mass-balance approach was used to estimate mean residence times for organic matter, N and P in the forest floor, and to examine the flexibility of N and P intra-system cycling in the three forest ecosystems. For this purpose, we combined published values of N and P in foliage, litterfall, forest floor litter and mineral soils in these three forest ecosystems. The results of our analysis were consistent with the widely held belief that the N content of leaves (both green and senescent) and litter increases with increasing temperatures. In contrast, the data did not support the hypothesis that leaf P content decreases with increasing temperatures and precipitation: leaf and litterfall P contents were higher in both tropical forests than they were in the temperate forest. The TEF had the highest P content of the three forests studied. The mass-balance analysis indicated that although P mineralization in the TDF can run ahead of litter decomposition stoichiometry when P is in short supply, flexibility is much reduced or absent in the TEF and the MTF. Our analysis provides additional evidence of the importance of climatic factors in forest ecosystem processes and highlights the role of flexibility in ecosystem nutrient cycling, especially for P in ecosystems with a limited P supply.
Julio Campo; Juan F. Gallardo; Guillermina Hernández. Leaf and litter nitrogen and phosphorus in three forests with low P supply. European Journal of Forest Research 2013, 133, 121 -129.
AMA StyleJulio Campo, Juan F. Gallardo, Guillermina Hernández. Leaf and litter nitrogen and phosphorus in three forests with low P supply. European Journal of Forest Research. 2013; 133 (1):121-129.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJulio Campo; Juan F. Gallardo; Guillermina Hernández. 2013. "Leaf and litter nitrogen and phosphorus in three forests with low P supply." European Journal of Forest Research 133, no. 1: 121-129.
In a transect study involving 15 mature seasonally dry tropical forests growing on uniform geological substrate in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, we analyzed the influence of a large reduction in mean annual precipitation (1,036–537 mm year−1) on carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools in soils. We investigated the C content in organic soil and in active fraction pools (organic matter and microbial biomass) and analyzed the dependence of these pools on precipitation. Carbon (total, inorganic and organic, and in microbial biomass) and N (total) concentrations in bulk soil decreased as rainfall increased from −1 >1,000 mm year−1. Additionally, in all organic matter fractions, C and N concentrations generally decreased with greater precipitation. Soil average C mineralization decreased by 61 % from the wettest to the driest region. Reduced precipitation during the dry season increased microbial biomass C and water-extractable C concentrations and decreased the C concentration in organic matter fractions. No other significant changes were observed between seasons in C concentrations, N concentrations or C mineralization. Overall, we conclude that physical (macroclimate) and biological processes are more active in soils in the wettest region, resulting in a faster turnover of organic matter.
Rosa M. Cuevas; Claudia Hidalgo; Fidel Payan; Jorge D. Etchevers; Julio Campo. Precipitation influences on active fractions of soil organic matter in seasonally dry tropical forests of the Yucatan: regional and seasonal patterns. European Journal of Forest Research 2013, 132, 667 -677.
AMA StyleRosa M. Cuevas, Claudia Hidalgo, Fidel Payan, Jorge D. Etchevers, Julio Campo. Precipitation influences on active fractions of soil organic matter in seasonally dry tropical forests of the Yucatan: regional and seasonal patterns. European Journal of Forest Research. 2013; 132 (5):667-677.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRosa M. Cuevas; Claudia Hidalgo; Fidel Payan; Jorge D. Etchevers; Julio Campo. 2013. "Precipitation influences on active fractions of soil organic matter in seasonally dry tropical forests of the Yucatan: regional and seasonal patterns." European Journal of Forest Research 132, no. 5: 667-677.
Soil degradation by deforestation and introduction of exotic grasses is a grave consequence of land‐use change in tropical regions during the last decades. Soil restoration following natural succession (i.e., passive restoration) is slow because of low tree establishment. Introduction of tree plantings by human intervention (i.e., active restoration) results in a promising strategy to accelerate forest succession and soil recovery in tropical region. The present research was carried out to explore the restoration of soil properties after cattle exclusion and of grazing combined with native tree planting introduction (legumes and nonlegumes) in a tropical pasture in Veracruz, southeast Mexico. Results indicate that land‐use changes decreased soil C and N pools in both litter and mineral soil. In addition, soil heterogeneity increased by land‐use changes at both temporal and spatial scales. In the short term, passive succession (i.e., cattle exclusion) favors the recovery of C and N content in labile soil pools, indicated by the increase in litter C and N masses as well as C and N concentrations in soil microbial biomass. Soils under active restoration showed trends to recover the N cycling, such as a greater accumulation of N in litter, in soil total N concentrations, soil microbial biomass N concentrations, rates of net N transformations, and extractable water and microbial biomass C:N ratios mainly under legumes species. Active restoration including legume introduction is a key factor for rapid recovery of soil fertility. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
L. L. Roa-Fuentes; C. Martínez-Garza; J. D. Etchevers; J. Campo. Recovery of Soil C and N in a Tropical Pasture: Passive and Active Restoration. Land Degradation & Development 2013, 26, 201 -210.
AMA StyleL. L. Roa-Fuentes, C. Martínez-Garza, J. D. Etchevers, J. Campo. Recovery of Soil C and N in a Tropical Pasture: Passive and Active Restoration. Land Degradation & Development. 2013; 26 (3):201-210.
Chicago/Turabian StyleL. L. Roa-Fuentes; C. Martínez-Garza; J. D. Etchevers; J. Campo. 2013. "Recovery of Soil C and N in a Tropical Pasture: Passive and Active Restoration." Land Degradation & Development 26, no. 3: 201-210.
Interactions of N and P cycles and those of other macro-elements in forests are scarcely known.
Julio Campo; Juan F. Gallardo. Comparison of P and cation cycling in two contrasting seasonally dry forest ecosystems. Annals of Forest Science 2012, 69, 887 -894.
AMA StyleJulio Campo, Juan F. Gallardo. Comparison of P and cation cycling in two contrasting seasonally dry forest ecosystems. Annals of Forest Science. 2012; 69 (8):887-894.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJulio Campo; Juan F. Gallardo. 2012. "Comparison of P and cation cycling in two contrasting seasonally dry forest ecosystems." Annals of Forest Science 69, no. 8: 887-894.
Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum is a columnar cactus currently threatened by the conversion of natural vegetation to buffelgrass pasture (Pennisetum ciliare) in Sonora, Mexico. However, knowledge about its population dynamics is extremely poor, particularly in response to disturbance caused by pasture conversion. We set up experiments to evaluate seed removal, germination, seedling survival and compared demographic patterns on permanent plots from natural vegetation and pasture. Our experiments on regeneration show that seedlings were unable to establish in pasture because of high levels of mortality due to soil drying and cattle trampling. The population growth rate (λ) was 1.060 and 1.086 for the 2006–2007 and 2007–2008 periods, respectively, in the native thornscrub vegetation. The slight increase in λ in 2007–2008 was a result of increased fecundity and seedling survival. The highest elasticity values correspond to the survival of large/old individuals. Using the average of both matrices, we obtained a mean matrix to perform numerical analyses simulating demographic variation to project the population behavior under buffelgrass pasture conditions. The numerical simulations suggest a decreasing population only when adult survival probabilities were affected. Given these limitations for population growth, our data suggest that adult populations that persist on pastures will be driven into local extinction.
D. Morales-Romero; H. Godínez-Álvarez; J. Campo-Alves; F. Molina-Freaner. Effects of land conversion on the regeneration of Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum and its consequences on the population dynamics in northwestern Mexico. Journal of Arid Environments 2012, 77, 123 -129.
AMA StyleD. Morales-Romero, H. Godínez-Álvarez, J. Campo-Alves, F. Molina-Freaner. Effects of land conversion on the regeneration of Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum and its consequences on the population dynamics in northwestern Mexico. Journal of Arid Environments. 2012; 77 ():123-129.
Chicago/Turabian StyleD. Morales-Romero; H. Godínez-Álvarez; J. Campo-Alves; F. Molina-Freaner. 2012. "Effects of land conversion on the regeneration of Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum and its consequences on the population dynamics in northwestern Mexico." Journal of Arid Environments 77, no. : 123-129.
Vinisa Saynes; Jorge D Etchevers; Claudia Hidalgo; Leopoldo Galicia; Julio Campo. Soil carbon dynamics in high-elevation temperate forests of Oaxaca (Mexico): thinning and rainfall effects. Bosque (Valdivia) 2012, 33, 01 -02.
AMA StyleVinisa Saynes, Jorge D Etchevers, Claudia Hidalgo, Leopoldo Galicia, Julio Campo. Soil carbon dynamics in high-elevation temperate forests of Oaxaca (Mexico): thinning and rainfall effects. Bosque (Valdivia). 2012; 33 (1):01-02.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVinisa Saynes; Jorge D Etchevers; Claudia Hidalgo; Leopoldo Galicia; Julio Campo. 2012. "Soil carbon dynamics in high-elevation temperate forests of Oaxaca (Mexico): thinning and rainfall effects." Bosque (Valdivia) 33, no. 1: 01-02.
Experimental restoration may both accelerate and elucidate natural processes of succession on degraded agricultural land by offering insight into factors that influence rates of succession and the composition of resulting communities. A novel study in restoration of degraded tropical agricultural land in coexistence with cattle ranching activities was established in southern Veracruz, Mexico. The experimental planting of 16 mixed‐species stands of 18 pioneer and late‐successional tree species was established from September to November 2006 on an eroded hillside pasture with an elevational gradient from 182 to 260 m and heterogeneous soil depths. An unusually severe dry season in 2007 killed 72 per cent of the seedlings: least squares regression suggested that survival of six pioneer and 12 late‐successional species was mainly explained by initial basal diameter at planting followed by soil depth for pioneers and by elevational position on the hillside for late‐successional species. Individuals with larger initial size at planting (>4 mm basal diameter), regardless of germination size in a growing house, survived better probably because larger seedlings developed deeper roots that found fissures in substrate underlying thin soils. Interestingly, seedlings small at planting (19 cm) soils, but virtually, all small seedlings died on thin soils (<18·5 cm). Mortality in restoration plantings can be reduced by planting large seedlings of a mix of pioneer and late‐successional species, recognizing that soil depth is a key criterion for survival of the smallest seedlings in a cohort. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cristina Martinezgarza; W. Tobon; J. Campo; Henry F Howe. DROUGHT MORTALITY OF TREE SEEDLINGS IN AN ERODED TROPICAL PASTURE. Land Degradation & Development 2011, 24, 287 -295.
AMA StyleCristina Martinezgarza, W. Tobon, J. Campo, Henry F Howe. DROUGHT MORTALITY OF TREE SEEDLINGS IN AN ERODED TROPICAL PASTURE. Land Degradation & Development. 2011; 24 (3):287-295.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCristina Martinezgarza; W. Tobon; J. Campo; Henry F Howe. 2011. "DROUGHT MORTALITY OF TREE SEEDLINGS IN AN ERODED TROPICAL PASTURE." Land Degradation & Development 24, no. 3: 287-295.