El artículo analiza los ámbitos del desarrollo urbano y las perspectivas humano-ambientales en el marco de las relaciones entre los procesos urbanos y los sistemas socioecológicos. A partir de identificar algunas tendencias de los procesos de urbanización en América Latina y conforme a guías conceptuales y metodológicas para la generación de conocimiento interdisciplinario, se discuten las rutas temáticas de dos agendas multilaterales (HÁBITAT III y SIPAM) hacia el desarrollo urbano ambientalmente sustentable y resiliente, en particular en el contexto de los principios socioecológicos de la agricultura de chinampas en la Ciudad de México, incluyendo algunas directrices para su consolidación. The article analyses the fields of urban development and human-environment perspectives in the framework of urban processes and socioecological systems relationships. From identifying some trends of urbanization processes in Latin America and according to conceptual and methodological guidelines for the generation of interdisciplinary knowledge, the thematic routes of two multilateral agendas (HÁBITAT III y GIAHS) for environmentally sustainable urban development and resilience are discussed, particularly in the context of the socioecological principles of chinampas agriculture in Mexico City, including some guidelines for its consolidation.

In terms of color, firmness, respiration, and ethylene production during the postharvest period, ripening is here characterized for the first time in the fruit of Persea schiedeana Nees. The results show a respiratory peak (respiratory climacteric) and an ethylene production peak, indicating that the fruit of P. schiedeana can be classified as climacteric. The fruit ripened rapidly, and senescence effects appeared 5 days after harvest. Together with appreciable weight loss during the postharvest period, this makes the fruit very perishable. Preliminary values for quantitative ripening indices are provided (fruit firmness, color lightness, hue angle, and chroma).

Fifty-six accessions of white sapote ( Casimiroa edulis Llave & Lex.) grown in situ in 11 municipalities in the state of Michoacán, Mexico, were characterized using 14 morphometric variables (six of fruit and eight of seed). There was a high cv for fruit weight (0.50), the number of developed seeds (NDS) (0.48), and total seed weight (0.45). Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the main differences among the C. edulis accessions were fruit weight, seed projected area, Feret diameter (FD), the length of polar and equatorial axes of the fruit, the number of undeveloped seeds (NUS), the NDS, hardness of the skin (HS), and total soluble solids content of the fruits. Three groups of accessions were determined by cluster analysis (CA). The first group was made up of 53 accessions with intermediate values of fruit size and seed size. The second group, comprising two accessions, had the lowest values of fruit size. The third group showed an outstanding individual with the highest values for fruit size/weight, seed weight, and total soluble solids. Through an in-depth examination of the genotypes of the first group, four genotypes were identified for their positive characteristics. The results indicate an extremely high variability in the fruit and seed characteristics produced by different trees/genotypes of white sapote in Mexico. Hence, an initial, preliminary individuation/selection of five genotypes could be considered for the development of new cultivars for establishing white sapote orchards in Mexico.

Biodiesel is a mixture of monoalkyl esters of fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats. Agricultural residues are a potential source of raw materials for generating biofuels. The aim of this research was to determine the usefulness of Persea schiedeana Nees fruit as a potential source to be transformed into biodiesel by alkaline transesterification. In this sense, biodiesel was obtained using oil isolated from overripe fruits of P. schiedeana, damaged by the Heilipus lauri pest. The fruits were collected in the municipality of Huatusco, Veracruz, Mexico. The maceration of the fruits with hexane resulted in an oil with a high percentage of free fatty acids (8.36 ± 1.35%). The main components of the biodiesel were methyl oleate (53.12%) and methyl palmitate (25.74%). The dynamic viscosity of the biodiesel complies with ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 and the biodiesel blends with commercial diesel comply with ASTM D675, the calorific value showed an increase with increasing biodiesel concentration in the blends. This study demonstrates that the oil obtained from the overripe and surplus fruits of P. schiedeana is a viable feedstock for the production of a fuel to replace diesel.

Aim: The aim of this study was to localize and conserve wild grapevines (Vitis spp.) in the central area of the State of Veracruz, Mexico and to record their uses.Methods and results: The wild grapevines were localized in the central area of the State of Veracruz using GPS, and information on local uses was obtained by interviewing people. A total of 63 wild grapevines were localized and propagated. They were found from 20 m to 2,664 m altitude. The morphological traits (i.e. leaf shape and colour) of the vines differed from one another. A number of uses was recorded, such as production of juice to alleviate health problems, wine, desserts and hair shampoo.Conclusion: The differences in the morphology of the genotypes indicate a great biodiversity of the genus Vitis in the area considered. Several uses for wild grapevines were found.Significance and impact of study: The exploration of Vitis spp. in the area studied raises the possibility of finding new hybrids or multi-hybrids between species. Wild grapevines could be used to produce natural products that could be sold on the market.