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Arid and Semi-Arid Zones of Mexico: A Comprehensive Exploration of Biodiversity, Ecology, and Conservation

Editors: Sofía Solórzano Lujano, José Guillermo Avila Acevedo, Israel Valencia Quiroz

Arid and Semi-Arid Zones of Mexico: A Comprehensive Exploration of Biodiversity, Ecology, and Conservation

ISBN: 978-981-5322-47-7
eISBN: 978-981-5322-46-0 (Online)

Introduction

Arid and Semi-Arid Zones of Mexico: A Comprehensive Exploration of Biodiversity, Ecology, and Conservation is an in-depth, multidisciplinary examination of one of Mexico’s most ecologically distinctive and biologically rich landscapes. Comprising 14 chapters authored by subject-matter experts, this reference work investigates the climatic, physical, and biological characteristics of Mexico’s principal arid and semi-arid regions.

The volume presents detailed assessments of emblematic plant and animal species, while also exploring the ecological roles of nursery processes and the consequences of human activity on fragile desert ecosystems. Conservation priorities are addressed through evaluations of protected natural areas and the safeguarding of native germplasm resources. Additionally, the contributors document the medicinal and biologically active products derived from arid-zone flora, highlighting their ecological and cultural significance.

Each chapter integrates case studies and findings from Mexico’s key arid regions — the Baja California Peninsula, Chihuahuan Desert, Sonoran Desert, and Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley.

Key Features:

  • - Comprehensive ecological, biological, and conservation analysis of Mexico’s arid and semi-arid regions
  • - In-depth focus on emblematic fauna and flora
  • - Examination of ecological processes, human impacts, and conservation strategies
  • - Assessment of protected areas and germplasm conservation efforts using cacti as umbrella taxa
  • - Documentation of natural products with medicinal and biological applications
  • - Integrative analyses across four major arid regions, highlighting ecological patterns and biodiversity trends


Readership

Suitable for students, researchers, naturalists, and readers interested in desert ecology, conservation biology, and sustainable resource management

Contributors

Editor(s):
Sofía Solórzano Lujano
Molecular Ecology and Evolution Laboratory
UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)
Tlalnepantla de Baz, Mexico State 54090
Mexico


José Guillermo Avila Acevedo
Phytochemistry Laboratory, UBIPRO
Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)
Tlalnepantla de Baz, Mexico State 54090
Mexico


Israel Valencia Quiroz
Phytochemistry Laboratory, UBIPRO
Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)
Tlalnepantla de Baz, Mexico State 54090
Mexico



Contributor(s):
Ana María Muñoz-Flores
Soil Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Adriana Montserrat Espinosa-González
Phytochemistry Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Ana María García-Bores
Phytochemistry Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Axel Rodrigo Molina-Gallardo
Laboratory of Natural Products Bioactivity, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Alberto González-Zamora
Faculty of Biological Sciences
Juárez University of the State of Durango
Gómez Palacio, Durango-35010
Mexico


Armando Ponce-Vargas
Seed Bank FESI-UNAM, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


César Miguel Talonia
Plant Diversity and Ecology Laboratory
Faculty of Sciences, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Coyoacan
Mexico City-04510
Mexico


César Maximiliano Vázquez-Franco
Faculty of Sciences
National Autonomous University of Mexico
Coyoacán, Mexico City-04510
Mexico


Cesar Miguel Talonia
Plant Diversity and Ecology Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Coyoacan
Mexico City-04510
Mexico


Carlos Castillo-Hernández
Laboratory of Natural Products Bioactivity, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Claudia Tzasna Hernández-Delgado
Laboratory of Natural Products Bioactivity, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


César Mateo Flores-Ortíz
Vegetal Physiology Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Cesar Miguel Talonia
Department of Ecology, Faculty of Sciences
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Coracan
Mexico City-04510
Mexico


Daniel Muñoz-Iniestra
Soils Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Edgar Antonio Estrella-Parra
Phytochemistry Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Edgar Olivas-Calderón
Faculty of Chemical Sciences
Juárez University of the State of Durango
Gómez Palacio, Durango-35010
Mexico


Esperanza Yasmin Calleros-Rincón
Faculty of Chemical Sciences
Juárez University of the State of Durango
Gómez Palacio, Durango-35010
Mexico


Francisco López-Galindo
Soil Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Fernando Ayala-Niño
Soil Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Francisco Alberto Rivera-Ortiz
Molecular Ecology and Evolution Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Felix Krengel
Department of Ecology and Natural Products, Faculty of Sciences
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Coyoacan
Mexico City-04510
Mexico


Felipe Barragán
CONAHCYT-IPICYT
Environmental Sciences Division
San Luis Potosi-78216
Mexico


Francisco A. Guerra-Coss
Potosino Institute of Scientific and Technological Research A.C (IPICYT) Division of Environmental Sciences
San Luis Potosi-78216
San Luis Potosi
Mexico


Gabriela Castaño-Meneses
Multidisciplinary Teaching and Research Unit, Faculty of Sciences
National Autonomous University of Mexico, Juriquilla
Querétaro-76226
Mexico


Gabriel López-Segoviano
Biodiversity and Global Change Laboratory, Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Humberto Macías-Cuellar
Knowledge Management Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Héctor Godínez-Alvarez
Ecology Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Israel Valencia Quiroz
Phytochemistry Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Israel Valencia Quiroz
Phytochemistry Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Isela Rodríguez-Arévalo
Seed Bank FESI-UNAM, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Julieta Orozco-Martínez
Laboratory of Natural Products Bioactivity, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Javier Ramírez-Juárez
Postgraduate College, Program of Strategies for Regional Agricultural Development
Mexico-Puebla Federal Highway, Santiago Momoxpan, San Pedro Cholula
Puebla-72760
Mexico


Jessica Sosa-Quintero
Ecology Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Juana Lilia García-Rojas
Seed Bank FESI-UNAM, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Leticia Ríos-Casanova
Ecology Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Leopoldo Daniel Vázquez-Reyes
Bachelor of Biology, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Laura E. Nuñez-Rosas
Biodiversity and Global Change Laboratory, Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Leticia Ríos-Casanova
Ecology Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Maribel Arenas-Navarro
Natural Resources Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Miguel Vásquez-Bolaños
University Center of Biological and Agricultural Sciences
University of Guadalajara, Zapopan
Jalisco-45200
Mexico


María del Coro Arizmendi-Arriaga
Ecology Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Maribel Arenas-Navarro
Natural Resources Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Ma. Edith López-Villafranco
Herbarium IZTA, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Ma. Patricia Jáquez-Ríos
Herbarium IZTA, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Mayra Hernández-Moreno
Knowledge Management Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Maribel Arenas-Navarro
Natural Resources Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


María Guadalupe Chávez-Hernández
Seed Bank FESI-UNAM, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Nallely Álvarez-Santos
Phytochemistry Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Oswaldo Téllez-Valdés
Natural Resources Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Oswaldo Téllez-Valdés
Natural Resources Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Oswaldo Téllez-Valdés
Natural Resources Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Oswaldo Téllez-Valdés
Natural Resources Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Patricia Ramírez-Bastida
Bachelor of Biology, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Patricia Guevara-Fefer
Department of Ecology and Natural Products, Faculty of Sciences
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Coyoacan
Mexico City-04510
Mexico


Patricia Dávila-Aranda
Natural Resources Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Patricia Dávila-Aranda
Natural Resources Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Patricia Dávila-Aranda
Natural Resources Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Rafael Lira-Saade
Natural Resources Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Rebeca Pérez-Morales
Faculty of Chemical Sciences
Juárez University of the State of Durango
Gómez Palacio, Durango-35010
Mexico


Rafael Lira-Saade
Natural Resources Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Sofía Solórzano-Lujano
Molecular Ecology and Evolution Laboratory, UBIPRO
Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)
Tlalnepantla de Baz, Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Silvia Aguilar-Rodríguez
Laboratory of Botany, UMF, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Sandra M. Gelviz-Gelvez
Desert Areas Research Institute
Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi (UASLP)
San Luis Potosi-78377, San Luis Potosi
Mexico


Sofía Solórzano Lujano
Molecular Ecology and Evolution Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Ubaldo Márquez-Luna
Ecology Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico


Víctor M. Salazar-Rojas
Knowledge Management Laboratory, UBIPRO, Superior Studies Faculty (FES)-Iztacala
National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla de Baz
Mexico State-54090
Mexico