Papers by Pavel Popoca-Cruz
Not only biology matters: socioeconomic factors change land prioritization for restoration
Restoration ecology, 2023
Ecological restoration requires a holistic view of the interconnectedness between degraded areas,... more Ecological restoration requires a holistic view of the interconnectedness between degraded areas, remaining ecosystems, and the repercussions of land use and other socioeconomic costs. In this study, we analyze how biological priorities for restoration change when ecological, social, and economic feasibility are considered. A multi-criteria approach was used to prioritize restoration areas, using the Mexican side of the transboundary Grijalva-Usumacinta basin (78,831 km2) as a study model, one of Mexico’s most important regions, thanks to its hydrology, biology, and social conditions. Fourteen indicators of biological value and feasibility for restoration were identified. The results showed that when considering only biological factors (B scenario), 9.35% of the basin area had high or very high priority for restoration within or near natural protected areas (NPAs). When including feasibility (B + F scenario), the area with high to very high priority values for restoration increased to 34.3%. This means that many feasible areas had medium or low biological priority for restoration, and consequently, in many cases, there is a tradeoff between the possible biological recovery versus viability derived mainly from socioeconomic factors. Without discerning where restoration can offer the most pronounced ecological and socioeconomic benefits, efforts risk being misdirected or squandered. This approach provides a suitability assessment useful for decision-makers and stakeholders because it generates a more complete picture of opportunities and threats to make a final selection of priority areas for intervention.
Ecosistemas y Recursos Agropecuarios, 2021
El Cometa lagoon lacks information on microalgae diversity, despite its relevance as the first pr... more El Cometa lagoon lacks information on microalgae diversity, despite its relevance as the first productive component of aquatic ecosystems and its influence on water quality. Therefore, the objective of determine the morphospecies of phytoplankton microalgae in El Cometa lagoon, as well as, their indicator species and the possible presence of potentially toxic species were raised. Phytoplankton samples with 20 µm phytoplankton network were collected in six sites during rainy season. Fifty taxa from six taxonomic groups are the first records for the lagoon and Pantanos de Centla Biosphere Reserve. Thirty-three of them were added to the records for the coastal plain of the Usumacinta River. Five were marine, seven potentially toxic and five bioindicators of contamination and eutrophication conditions that represent a public health risk.
Vulnerabilidad actual y futura de los recursos hídricos ante el cambio climático en los estados del sureste de México, con enfoque en el desarrollo urbano sustentable, 2018
Vulnerabilidad actual y futura de los recursos hídricos ante el cambio climático en los estados d... more Vulnerabilidad actual y futura de los recursos hídricos ante el cambio climático en los estados del sureste de México, con enfoque en el desarrollo urbano sustentable INFORME FINAL
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Papers by Pavel Popoca-Cruz