Natural Resources Unit

INTRODUCTION

The Natural Resources Division engages in research aimed at conservation and sustainable management of natural resources on the Yucatan Peninsula, in Mesoamerica, and other regions in the Americas. An integral part of this work is collaboration and interaction with rural communities, producers, entrepreneurs, academic institutions, and government agencies. The Division enthusiastically educates high-quality undergraduate and graduate students in disciplines including conservation biology, reproductive biology, biogeography, biosecurity, bioproductivity, plant and animal ecology, community and population ecology, evolution, systematics, phylogeny, plant physiology, plant-animal interactions, landscape ecology, and ethnobotany, among others. thirteen researchers, in conjunction with sixteen technicians, generate knowledge and technological innovation development at scales ranging from the molecular to the ecosystem.

Mission

To promote conservation and sustainable management of natural resources on the Yucatan Peninsula, Mesoamerica, and beyond through scientific research, the construction, curation and maintenance of specialized collections, and development of theoretical models and technology derived from this research.

Vision

Researchers in the Natural Resources Division will receive national and international recognition for their contributions to the understanding, conservation, ecological restauration, biosecurity, and sustainable management of natural resources.

RESEARCH AREAS

1. AGROBIODIVERSITY FOR ECOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY

Agrobiodiversity encompasses the variety and variability of all living beings, be they wild or cultivated, used directly or indirectly by humans to meet their needs. A vital part of this research area is the diversity of the agroecosystems in which agrobiodiversity occurs, including the species that support its structure and functioning. Cultural and local knowledge of natural resource use and management is also important since it determines the evolution of living organisms during the domestication process, and how they can be used sustainably. Researchers in this area are engaged in multidisciplinary studies with special emphasis on Mesoamerican plant species.

RESEARCH TOPICS

Ecology, use and management of non-timber forest resources.
Influence of environmental, genetic and cultural factors on the use, management and conservation of aromatic plants.
Genetic diversity and domestication.
Conservation genetics of wild relatives.
Ethnobotany, and in situ and ex situ conservation.
Study species include oregano (Lippia origanoides), Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus), maize (Zea mays), papaya (Carica papaya), mamey (Pouteria sapota), vanilla (Vanilla planifolia), and guaya (Melicoccus oliviformis).

RESEARCHERS

2. GLOBAL CHANGE IN NEOTROPICAL ECOSYSTEMS

Global change involves anthropogenic impacts on the fundamental processes that determine how the planet functions, and which add to and interact with changes produced by natural events. Researchers in this area carry out interdisciplinary research on ecosystem processes and the loss of natural capital (ecosystems, species, functions) produced by human activities.

RESEARCH TOPICS

Climate change; biological sensitivity and human dimension (mitigation and adaptation planning).
Effects of climate change on cultivated and wild plants.
Factors, processes, and mechanisms affecting woody plant distribution, diversity and dynamics in human-modified landscapes (changes in land use and land covers).
Plasticity, and physiological responses plants to climate.
Effects of landscape structure and environmental variables on aboveground plant biomass, species richness and abundance.
Land-use planning.
Effects of changes in land use, and land cover on the structure, diversity, composition and functioning of terrestrial faunal communities.

RESEARCHERS

3. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES OF BIODIVERSITY

Human societies receive benefits from biodiversity and ecosystems that can be conceptualized as services: provisions (food, medicine, fresh water), regulation (of the climate and disease, water purification), cultural (recreation, education, spiritual) and support (biogeochemical cycles, soil formation, primary production). Researchers in this area engage in multidisciplinary investigations aimed at better understanding biodiversity’s role in supporting ecosystem services and resilience.

RESEARCH TOPICS

Ecosystem vegetation services and their impact on climate change, restoration, food, and alternative energies.
Water and carbon use by trees in natural systems, and in restoration.
Water, carbon, and energy flows in ecosystems.
Interactions between melliferous plants, microorganisms, and honey-producing bees.
Interactions between seed beetles and plants of the morning-glory (Convolvulaceae) family.

RESEARCHERS

4. SYSTEMATICS AND FLORISTICS

Generation of knowledge about biodiversity and natural resources is instrumental to their conservation, use, and sustainable management. Researchers in this area focus on the taxonomy, floristics, biogeography, phylogenetic and molecular systematics, reproductive biology, and evolution of Neotropical plants.

RESEARCH TOPICS

Evolution, molecular phylogenetic and systematics, taxonomy, and biogeography of Neotropical Orchidaceae.
Taxonomic, phylogenetic, and reproductive investigations in the Bromeliaceae.
Phylogenetic and floristic analyses of Fabaceae and Icacinaceae.
Taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of genera in the Amaranthaceae.
Floristics and biogeography of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Neotropical plant biogeography.

RESEARCHERS

Staff

Researchers

TECHNICIANS

Alfredo Dorantes Euán
Ariadna Ibarra Morales
Celene Marisol Espadas Manrique
Fernando Jesús Tun Dzul
Francisco Chi May
Gabriel Rolando Dzib
José Luis Sima Gómez
José Luis Tapia Muñoz
Lilia Lorena Can Itzá
María Rosalina Rodríguez Román
María Silvia Hernández Aguilar
Matilde Margarita Ortiz García
Miguel Ángel Fernández Barrera
Néstor Raigoza Flores
Roberth Armando Us Santamaría
Rosa Grijalva Arango
Silvia Vergara Yoisura

CONTACT

Casandra Reyes-García, PhD
Director of the Natural Resources Unit
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., ext 158

Welcome

The Yucatan Scientific Research Center (Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán - CICY) is a public research institute associated with the National System of Public Centers of the Ministry of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation (Sistema Nacional de Centros Públicos de la Secretaría de Ciencia, Humanidades, Tecnología e Innovación (Secihti)). Its primary purpose is basic and applied research in biology, materials and other related areas, with an emphasis on solving national, regional and local problems. The Center’s mission is to carry out scientific research, develop human resources, distribute knowledge, generate and transfer technology, and promote environmentally harmonious development in society.

RESEARCH DIVISIONS

CICY GRADUATE PROGRAMS

Graduate degrees are available in the following areas:

Biological Science (M.Sc. + Ph.D.)
Renewable Energy (M.Sc. + Ph.D.)
Materials Science (M.Sc. + Ph.D.)
Water Science (M.Sc.)

Botanical Garden

A botanical garden permanently exhibits collections of living plants organized following scientific criteria, with explanatory text and name labels. Botanical gardens are an important element in basic and applied scientific research, natural resources conservation, environmental education, science outreach and recreation. They have been valuable resources since ancient times, and have served diverse functions, depending on users’ needs and interests, cultural patterns and floristic resources. Initially reserved for rulers, kings and emperors, in the Middle Ages they became valuable for the teaching and practice of medicine. Colonial powers used them to begin immense plantations of introduced species in conquered countries, and now they are used to introduce new horticultural and agricultural species and varieties, as well as for scientific research. Worldwide, there are approximately 2000 botanical gardens which support horticulture and agronomy, and are active in conserving biodiversity and ecologic processes at the local and planetary scales.

Roger Orellana Regional Botanical Garden

Founded in 1983, the CICY’s botanical garden is “regional”, meaning that its collections are largely from the flora of the Yucatan Peninsula. Its collections have supported conservation of regional vegetal resources, both through direct preservation and research. Activities at the garden publicize the value of regional flora, and promote specific conservation initiatives. Declared a “Living Plants Museum” by the federal government, it is also recognized as a “Center for Wildlife Management and Conservation” (SEMARNAT-UMA-JB-0039-YUC-02). The garden is a member of the Mexican Association of Botanical Gardens (AMJB), the Latin American and Caribbean Association of Botanical Gardens (ALCJB) and the International Organization for Conservation in Botanical Gardens (BGCI). With almost 38 years in existence, its collections, and the research, conservation and educational activities they support, have made it part of the region’s cultural and biological heritage.
Gembio Lab

Founded in 2006, the GeMBio Laboratory specializes in molecular analyses for biological research. It forms part of the Mexican Phytosanitary Laboratories Network, which is approved by the federal Ministry of Agriculture and certified by the Mexican Accreditation Institute (EMA). GeMBio is currently the only laboratory on the Yucatan Peninsula to be a member of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) for plant health conditions. The laboratory is dedicated to using applied phytopathology to contribute to regional and nationwide plant health. It is renowned for phytopathogen diagnosis, detection of genetically-modified organisms, design of integrated pest and disease management strategies, creation of new protocols, and molecular research on plant biodiversity and microorganisms.
Herbarium

The CICY herbarium collection currently comprises over 46,000 mounted specimens, with 3,000 to 5,000 more being processed. Over 75% of the collection is from the Yucatan Peninsula, the remainder being from the states of Tabasco, Chiapas and Oaxaca, and from other areas in Mesoamerica. It is by far the largest, best curated and documented collection of flora from the Yucatan Peninsula Biogeographic Region. The herbarium has exchange agreements with several national and international institutions, and constantly receives visitors from within the CICY, as well as from Mexico and all over the world. The Natural Resources Division has several projects in progress at involve the herbarium, highlighting its importance to graduate student research at the CICY.
Library

The CICY library provides a full spectrum of research and academic services to internal and external users. There is an extensive and current collection of physical books, reports and periodicals. Library staff are always available to assist users in searching and browsing library resources, including its extensive access to online resources.

The CICY subscribes to numerous international publishing services. For more information consult the CICY website: www.cicy.mx. Following is an example of services:
- Thomson Gale and Thomson Reuters databases (includes Academic OnFile, Science Citation Reports, Current Contents, Journal Citation Reports and Derwent Innovations)
- Cambridge Scientific Abstracts databases (includes Agrícola, Polymer Library, ASFA, Environmental Sciences & Pollution Management, Plant Science and Water Resources Abstracts).
- Knovel (provides access to 256 titles on chemistry, polymers and materials science)
- Annual Reviews (access to 42 titles)
- Blackwell (access to over 800 titles)
- Royal Society of Chemistry (access to 21 titles)
- Springer (access to over 1500 titles)
- J-STOR (access over 600 titles)
- SWETSWISE (access to 23 electronic titles)
- EBSCOHOST (access to 24 electronic titles)
Metrology

The CICY Metrology Laboratory provides industrial and scientific instrument calibration, training courses and preventive maintenance for business, industry and laboratories. It is accredited by the Mexican Accreditation Institute (EMA) for measurements of mass, volume, temperature, flow, optics and pressure. Because the EMA forms part of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), CICY Metrology Laboratory results are valid internationally. The measurement services offered include, but are not limited to:
- Mass.- From 100 mg to 1000 kg
- Volume.- In graduated flasks and storage tanks from 1 to 30,000 liters
- Temperature.- from -30 °C to 800 °C
- Flow.- From 5 to 3000 liters/min
- Optics.- Spectrophotometry, absorbance and transmittance
- Pressure.- Manometer calibration from 21 up to 68,948 kPa
Scanning Electronic Microscopy

The CICY has a JEOL JSM6369LV scanning electron microscope for counting, sizing, fingerprinting and mapping samples for materials science and biological research. In addition to standard SEM imaging for metals, ceramics, polymers, etc., it can image biological materials using a low vacuum mode. The equipment has a backscattered electron detector, a secondary electron detector, energy X-ray dispersion, cooling stage, image analysis techniques, bacterial identification and particle sizing. Services are available to the public upon request.