Tuesday, December 15, 2009

PostHeaderIcon QUESTIONS !!

1:38 PM | Posted by NRES 285/ 499, Fall 2010, UIUC | Edit Post

After writing this paper, I wanted to learn how my subject fit in with the other students’ reports on ecotourism, plant community structure, and the expansion of urban industry, among others. Furthermore, how does all this relate to palm ecology, resource use, and conservation in rural communities? Obviously I have a lot of questions in my head at this point, and I may not be able to answer them until we walk around Mexico and talk to people. I am excited, and slightly frustrated with my lack of understanding. For now, this is what I want to investigate in Sonora:

• Are people in favor of conservation programs for all reptiles and amphibians? Do reservations remain for some species, particularly the venomous lizards? Do people care more about birds and mammals?

• Are we going to see a lot of wildlife in the palms?

• How widespread are the effects of damming on stream quality? Are people’s opinions of dams generally positive or negative?

• What about resource management plans largely spearheaded by outsiders convinces locals they are a good idea? Is it the enthusiasm of the people involved? The level of commitment? Financial incentives? Promises of greater sustainability? A combination of these?

• How severe are palm-poaching problems within an area designated for conservation? Grazing problems?

• Are people in Sonora generally more familiar with animal and plant species than Americans? If so, how do they learn?

It seems as though I have a lot of groundwork to do. Awesome.--Lenna O.

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About the Class

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Alamos, Sonora, Mexico
This course combines pre-trip classroom instruction with field study in the Sierra de Alamos in Southeastern Sonora, Mexico. Its purpose is to introduce both undergraduate and graduate students to biodiversity and conservation of a diverse and significantly threatened ecosystem.

Readings

  • Alvarez-Yepiz, J. C., A. Martinez-Yrizar, et al. (2008). "Variation in vegetation structure and soil properties related to land use history of old-growth and secondary tropical dry forests in northwestern Mexico." Forest Ecology and Management 256(3): 355-366.
  • Anten, N. P. R., M. Martinez-Ramos, et al. (2003). "Defoliation and growth in an understory palm: Quantifying the contributions of compensatory responses." Ecology 84(11): 2905-2918.
  • Dacosta, J. M. and J. Klicka (2008). "The Great American Interchange in birds: a phylogenetic perspective with the genus Trogon." Molecular Ecology 17(5): 1328-1343.
  • Endress, B. A., D. L. Gorchov, et al. (2004). "Harvest of the palm Chamaedorea radicalis, its effects on leaf production, and implications for sustainable management." Conservation Biology 18(3): 822-830.
  • Endress, B. A., D. L. Gorchov, et al. (2004). "Non-timber forest product extraction: Effects of harvest and browsing on an understory palm." Ecological Applications 14(4): 1139-1153.
  • Felger, R. S. and E. Joyal (1999). "The palms (Areacaceae) of Sonora, Mexico." Aliso 18(1): 1-18.
  • Joyal, E. (1996). "The palm has its time: An ethnoecology of Sabal uresana in Sonora, Mexico." Economic Botany 50(4): 446-462.
  • Joyal, E. (1996). "The use of Sabal uresana (Arecaceae) and other palms in Sonora, Mexico." Economic Botany 50(4): 429-445.
  • O' Brien, C., A. D. Flesch, et al. (2006). Biological inventory of the Rio Aros, Sonora, Mexico: A river unknown. C. O'Brien. Tucson, University of Arizona.
  • Rendon-Carmona, H., A. Martinez-Yrizar, et al. (2009). "Selective cutting of woody species in a Mexican tropical dry forest: Incompatibility between use and conservation." Forest Ecology and Management 257(2): 567-579.
  • Ticktin, T. (2004). "The ecological implications of harvesting non-timber forest products." Journal of Applied Ecology 41(1): 11-21.
  • Vasquez-Leon, M. and D. Liverman (2004). "The political ecology of land-use change: Affluent ranchers and destitute farmers in the Mexican municipio of Alamos." Human Organization 63(1): 21-33.

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