Xanat Antonio Némiga

ENSO index teleconnection with seasonal precipitation in a temperate ecosystem of northern Mexico

El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the most important large-scale circulatory phenomenon that causes climatic variability in northern Mexico. The current challenge is to understand its consequences for both local climate and ecological processes of ecosystems. Within this context, we compared the degree of association of three different ENSO indices with local seasonal precipitation ( P ) in northern Mexico, and used dendrochronological series (tree-ring chronologies [TRI]) of Pinus cooperi to assess the impact of forest growth. The results showed a strong association between ENSO, previous winter precipitation and TRI ( r > 0.5, p = 0.05), indicating a positive relationship between warm ENSO phases and subsequent tree growth. The multivariate ENSO index was slightly better at explaining the connection between P and radial growth than other indices. These results could be used to support further research on the effects of ENSO on local climate and forest ecosystems.

Educación ambiental popular para el manejo sustentable de recursos naturales en una localidad rural del subtrópico mexicano

The main objective of this study was to design, implement and evaluate a popular environmental education program for natural sustainable resource management, directed to improve relations between community and their natural environment, through participatory action, at a rural community located in ecotone zone, southwest of the State of Mexico. This work was searching to promote a critical vision, on knowledge of natural and social environmental problems as a whole. The following methodological steps were established: 1) Research, in which will be indentified the learning needs of the community, and issues of interest to the community, 2) Education, in which a curriculum proposal for environmental education was conducted, through two programs offered means by workshops, 3) Action, popular environmental education experiences were developed through twelve workshops with three groups: children, women and men, 4) Action-Reflection-Action, in which the results of environmental education experiences were evaluated. As a result, it was observed that the participants were able to define, model and propose alternatives for natural sustainable resource management at their community.