The Tula watershed in Mexico, located in a semiarid and sub-humid climate zone, is experiencing intensive population growth, the expansion of mining concessions for construction materials, and agricultural and urban development, resulting in the degradation of soils and vegetation and a greater demand on natural resources. The aims of this study were to evaluate the survival rates and identify potential habitats within the Tula watershed for planting three non-native forage species (Atriplex canescens, Cynodon dactylon, and Leucaena collinsii) using the Kaplan-Meier estimator and the MaxEnt model with the purpose of rehabilitating degraded soils via agroforestry systems. There were 19 edaphoclimatic variables used and the occurrences of three species, obtained from the GBIF, MEXU, and SNIB databases. The models generated with MaxEnt were very accurate (area under the curve [AUC] ≥ 0.7). The species Atriplex canescens and Cynodon dactylon showed areas of potential planting sites (>0.4) and high survival rates (80% and 92%, respectively). The species Leucaena collinsii presented areas with lower potential planting (<0.4) but registered the greater survival rate (100%). The results provide a solid basis to evaluate the survival rates of forage species within potential planting sites in the Tula watershed using agroforestry systems to rehabilitate degraded soils.

Los cambios en el uso de suelo y la cobertura vegetal son el componente principal en el deterioro a escala global, regional y local, y han sido documentados como el segundo problema ambiental a nivel global. En México, hay pocas políticas de planificación en el desarrollo territorial de los municipios y una deficiente toma de decisiones en el manejo de los recursos naturales, ejemplo de ello es la microcuenca Tula. El trabajo de investigación tuvo como objetivo, diagnosticar la situación actual y los cambios en la cobertura y uso de suelo de la microcuenca Tula, México por medio del análisis espacial, para conocer sus principales procesos de cambio, con el propósito de diseñar estrategias que permitan un manejo sustentable de sus recursos naturales. El análisis espacial se realizó, a partir de imágenes satelitales Landsat (1992, 2000 y 2017) mediante sistemas de información geográfica. Para identificar los cambios se aplicaron tabulaciones cruzadas y se estimaron las tasas de cambio. En el periodo analizado (25 años), el área agrícola se incrementó 33% y una pérdida de superficie forestal de 22%. Las tasas de cambio y probabilidad de permanencia indicaron que de continuar con la tendencia actual seguirán incrementándose las áreas agrícolas y los cuerpos de agua, así como el abandono de algunas superficies debido a su baja productividad.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of Nature-Based Enterprises (NBE) in Mexico, with the aim of identifying positive deviants and the key factors that explain such differentiation. Design/Methodology/Approach: An exploratory mixed-methods study was conducted using the enterprise as the unit of analysis. A total of 23 NBEs across 13 Mexican states were evaluated through purposive sampling. Between May and September 2023, 23 surveys were administered to enterprise representatives, and 9 interviews were conducted with key informants. The analysis included a descriptive phase and the calculation of economic, social, and environmental performance indices using an adapted methodological framework. Subsequently, hierarchical cluster analysis identified four categories of enterprises consolidated, developing, adapting, and incipient which were compared through ANOVA, mean difference tests, and chi-square tests. Results: The study revealed that NBEs in Mexico achieved an average sustainable performance index of 0.85, with over 60% of cases scoring above the mean. Economic performance showed the greatest variability, social performance was moderate, and environmental performance remained relatively consistent across enterprises. Limitations/Implications: The use of a purposive, non-probabilistic sample limits the generalizability of the findings to the broader NBE population. Findings/Conclusions: The consolidated enterprises represented the closest cases to positive deviants. The findings suggest that NBE performance is enhanced by participatory governance, a clear organizational mission, economic diversification, certifications, and investment in capacity building and marketing. Conversely, key obstacles include reliance on initial subsidies, seasonal activity patterns, regulatory gaps, and weak organizational cohesion.

Soil rehabilitation involves restoring their capacity to provide goods and services; however, there is a lack of information regarding the survival and growth responses of individual species to local environmental variations. This study evaluated the adaptation capacity of three non-native multiple-use species in agroforestry design, in a degraded semiarid temperate climate zone located in the Tula watershed in Mexico, assessing their survival, growth of morphological variables, and death risk for use as soil restoration plants. According to the slope of the terrain, the species were planted in an agroforestry arrangement of lines and ridges. Plants were selected according to their multipurpose potential, including their taxonomy, form, function, and use, as well as their soil and climatic conditions. Survival rates for all three species were below acceptable levels $$(< 49\%)$$(<49%) . NeitherSenna multiglandulosanorSedum dendroideumadapted well to the soil and climate of the site, since their survival rates were below acceptable $$(\sim 17<49\mathrm{\%})$$(∼17<49%) .Aloe sp.adapted to the edaphoclimatic conditions of the site because its survival rate was excellent $$(\sim 97 \ge 90\%)$$(∼97≥90%) . Climate conditions during the autumn and winter affected growth rates ofSenna multiglandulosaandSedum dendroideum.Aloe sp.growth rates were only affected by climatic conditions during the winter months.Senna multiglandulosa's final height reduced death risk by $$1.50\%$$1.50% .Sedum dendroideum's final diameter, initial canopy cover and canopy growth rate reduced the risk of death by $$55.1$$55.1 , $$5.1$$5.1 and $$30.7\%$$30.7% , respectively. The height growth rate of aloe and initial canopy cover reduced the risk of death by 93.9 and 2.4%, respectively. Plant species evaluated showed varying levels of adaptation.Aloe sp.was the species that adapted best to the site's soil and climate.

Introduction. Sustainable development requires strengthening local economies through the responsible valuation of natural resources. Objective. To analyze business models associated with firefly tourism in the Sierra Nevada, Mexico, to understand the mechanisms through which organizations create and retain value, as well as to provide evidence to inform the design of policies aimed at promoting local development. Materials and methods. An exploratory study with a mixed-method approach was carried out, with economic organizations serving as the unit of analysis. Eleven of the 59 organizations operating in Tlaxcala, Estado de México and Puebla were analyzed. Field visits were conducted between August and November 2024 and complemented by interviews with institutional representatives and advisors. The degree of compliance with technical, managerial, and social criteria of the identified business models was assessed. Subsequently, hierarchical cluster analysis was performed, followed by between-group comparisons using ANOVA and chi-square test, and characterization using the Business Model Canvas. Results. Four business models were identified: basic, forest-based production, tourism, and diversified management, with compliance levels of 39.3 %, 64.7 %, 59.8 % and 93.1 %, respectively. The tenure and ownership category was the most homogeneous, whereas the grouping and partnership category was the most heterogeneous. The diversified management business model offers the greatest variety of products and services. Conclusions. Value creation and retention in firefly tourism business models depend on organizational capacity, productive diversification, and governance, rather than on the isolated use of the natural resource.