Since 2010, the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) mechanism has been implemented in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, a biodiversity hotspot with persistent deforestation problems. We apply the before-after-control-intervention approach and quasi-experimental methods to evaluate the effectiveness of REDD+ interventions in reducing deforestation at municipal (meso) and community (micro) scales. Difference-in-differences regression and propensity score matching did not show an overall reduction in forest cover loss from REDD+ projects at both scales. However, Synthetic Control Method (SCM) analyses demonstrated mixed REDD+ effectiveness among intervened municipalities and communities. Funding agencies and number of REDD+ projects intervening in a municipality or community did not appear to affect REDD+ outcomes. However, cattle production and commercial agriculture land uses tended to impede REDD+ effectiveness. Cases of communities with important forestry enterprises exemplified reduced forest cover loss but not when cattle production was present. Communities and municipalities with negative REDD+ outcomes were notable along the southern region bordering Guatemala and Belize, a remote forest frontier fraught with illegal activities and socio-environmental conflicts. We hypothesize that strengthening community governance and organizational capacity results in REDD+ effectiveness. The observed successes and problems in intervened communities deserve closer examination for REDD+ future planning and development of strategies on the Yucatan Peninsula.

This study quantifies the aboveground C storage of coffee agroecosystems (AESs) present in the Xalapa–Coatepec region of the state of Veracruz, one of the most important coffee producing regions in Mexico. We identified and determined the spatial distribution of five different types of coffee AESs. Then, through the point-centered quarter method, we measured canopy coverage, total height, diameter at breast height and density of tree species at 160 randomly selected sampling sites. Using allometric models, we estimated the aboveground biomass and the stored aboveground C by tree species and type of AES; and finally, we scaled up our results at the regional level. We found out that the coffee AESs with the greatest and the lowest potential for storing aboveground C are coffee (Co) + talltrees (tree stratum mainly composed of species taller than 15 m) and Co + AcaciaInga (tree stratum mainly composed by Acacia pennatula), with a carbon density as 73.27 Mg C ha ${}^{-1}$ and 38.47 Mg C ha ${}^{-1}$ respectively. The 91.2% of the total aboveground C in the studied region is stored by two coffee AES types: Co + talltrees and Co + Inga (tree stratum composed by Inga sp.). The aboveground C storage potential of all five coffee AESs in the central region of Veracruz is 2.43 million Mg C with an average carbon density of 55.12 Mg C ha ${}^{-1}$ . These results assert that coffee AESs should be considered important C sinks that contribute to the adaptation and mitigation of climate change.

Se estudió la estructura de los rodales de oyamel (Abies religiosa) presentes en el ejido El Conejo, localizado en el Parque Nacional Cofre de Perote, Veracruz. Se evaluó la densidad, diámetro, altura y cobertura del arbolado adulto en 17 parcelas de 625 m2. La regeneración se midió en las 17 parcelas utilizando subcuadrantes de 312.50 m2. El arbolado mostró una estructura de crecimiento de “J” invertida; sin embargo, los individuos se encuentran suprimidos y, aun cuando la regeneración es adecuada, el arbolado requiere de la apertura de claros para su desarrollo. Se encontró una superficie arbolada altamente fragmentada y amenazada de manera permanente por el crecimiento de la frontera agrícola y la extracción de leña para uso doméstico. Los resultados muestran evidencia de que la categoría de parque nacional no contribuye a la conservación del bosque.

Coffee (Coffea arabica) is one of the most widely traded and most consumed agro-products worldwide. Its production is concentrated in tropical regions, and its consumption, in northern countries. Climate variability influences coffee yield and quality, and the distribution of wet and dry periods is closely related to its phenological phases. Recently, the vulnerability of coffee producing regions to changes in climate patterns has been demonstrated. Therefore, this study evaluated the effect of climatic variables on the water status, vegetative growth, yield, and phenology of coffee plants. The research was carried out in a coffee agroecosystem (Garnica variety) located in the central region of the state of Veracruz, Mexico (19.51998^∘ N and 96.94339^∘ W; 1320 masl). For three years, the phenology of coffee plants was monitored; plant growth (height, number of leaves) and cherry yield were measured each month during three productive periods. Microclimatic variables (temperature, precipitation, relative air humidity, solar radiation, and wind direction) and water-balance variables (infiltration, rainfall interception, transpiration, soil water storage, crop evapotranspiration [ETo], and reference evapotranspiration [ETc]) were also monitored. The water status of the plants was evaluated based on their water demand, determined as the ETc/ETo ratio. The relationship of microclimatic variables with water status, plant growth, and plant yield was measured by performing correlation statistical tests (Pearson; α=0.05 ), principal component analyses (PCA), and simple and multiple linear regressions. The results show that the highest water consumption occurred during the flowering ( ETc/ETo=1.12 ), and grain ripening ( ETc/ETo=1.15 ) phenological phases, while the lowest value ( ETc/ETo=0.62 ), indicative of water deficit, was observed at harvest for the period 2018–2019. Precipitation (P) and rainfall infiltration (I) are the variables with the greatest influence on vegetative growth (r²>0.70). A relationship was observed between yield and water and microclimatic variables. However, simple and multiple linear regressions, including PCA, explain less than 45% (p < 0.05) of the variability of yield data. This variability is mainly described by water conditions related to soil water storage (S) and thermal conditions, particularly the minimum temperature (Tmin). Our findings suggest that the water demand of coffee plants changes significantly with the phenological phases of the crop; therefore, changes in the cyclical patterns of climate variation could cause a water deficit in coffee plants, limiting their development, yield, and quality.

Coffee farming in Mexico is an activity of great economic, social, cultural, and environmental importance. One of the strategies for obtaining better prices is so-called "specialty coffees", whose quality is evaluated through the "cup of excellence" contest. The aim of this work was to identify if there are factors related to the quality of coffee, based on the data provided by this contest. Information was obtained for the period 2012 to 2019 (since the event was suspended in 2020), but given the heterogeneity in the data, exclusion, and inclusion criteria were applied, examining only the years 2017 to 2019. Descriptive analyses show that, in Mexico, the coffee producing states of Veracruz and Chiapas predominate the highest scores, possibly because they are regions with the highest presence of biodiversity, which favors the quality of the coffee. A simple linear regression model also noted that quantitative variables (altitude, temperature, and precipitation) do not affect cup quality. Finally, a square chi analysis showed that the factors that affect the score are the process and mixing of varieties, which establish differences in the sensory characteristics of coffee, observing dependence between the two. It is concluded that the latter influence the score, where the washing process is best suited for coffees with an extraordinary quality profile, as well as the use of one or three varieties (particularly Arabica type) and that environmental and site components do not have a decisive effect on coffee cup quality. Keywords: Coffea arabica; coffee quality; score “cup of excellence” contest.

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) and vanilla (Vanilla planifolia Jacks. ex Andrews) are considered vegetal crops with great economical, social and cultural importance for the families of mexican tropics. However, in recent years the production of these crops has considerably decreased. Faced with this situation, determining the feasibility of combined cultivation of both species may represent an alternative to improve farmers profitability. Through this work, farming alternatives are proposed with different treatments such as cocoa and vanilla. We evaluated 60 cocoa plants and 80 vanilla cuttings, divided into five treatments: cocoa and vanilla with no-interaction (Tc), vanilla on cocoa” (Vp/Tc), cocoa and vanilla using an inert tutor at a distance of one meter (Tc-Vp1m), cocoa and vanilla using an inert tutor at a distance of two meters “(Tc-Vp2m) and; vanilla using an inert tutor without cocoa interaction (Vp); each with five repetitions. For cocoa trees, Diameter at Breast Height (DBD1.5), total tree height, stem height, diameter and crown area were recorded. The same parameters were used to characterize associated trees. Subsequently, before and after establishing the vanilla crop in the agroforestry system, the amount of cocoa fruits was registered. Also, length and thickness of cuttings, number and length of sprouts (LB) and number of knots and leaves´ length were measured for this plant. Measurements were performed four times with an interval of 60 days starting at the time of establishing the vanilla. Non-significant statistical differences in cocoa production were observed. In contrast, the vegetative development variables of vanilla showed better adaptation regarding the vanilla treatment on cocoa (Vp/Tc), showing significant statistical differences (P≤0,05) when comparing LE, NN, NH and LB treatments. It is concluded that cocoa production is not affected when tutoring vanilla. In addition, the cocoa tutor provided good conditions for optimal vegetative development of vanilla.