Dr. Mendoza got a bachelor’s degree in Geography (UNAM), a Master's in Ecology and Natural Resource Management (ITESM), and a Ph.D. in Earth Sciences (UNAM). He is currently a Senior Researcher at the Centre of Research in Environmental Geography (CIGA-UNAM); he is a member of the National Research System (SNII III; Area 1, Earth Sciences). Dr. Mendoza is part of the Interinstitutional Laboratory for Hazard and Risk Analysis (LIAR) at UNAM, and the Centre for Natural Hazard Research (CNHR) located at Simon Fraser University (Canada). He is interested in natural resources management, and Remote Sensing and GIS applications in spatial planning. His work contributes to solving problems of proper use of the national territory at various scales.
Background and objective: The SVM algorithm is an applied method that has been considered in rece... more Background and objective: The SVM algorithm is an applied method that has been considered in recent years to study landslides. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the mapping power of the GIS-based SVM model with kernel functions analysis for spatial prediction of landslides at the Ilam dam watershed. Materials and methods: According to review sources, 14 underlying factors including elevation, slope, aspect, plan curvature, profile curvature, LS factor, TWI, SPI, Lithologic units, land cover, NDVI, road distance, distance to the drainage channel, distance to fault were selected as factors affecting the occurrence of landslides in the study area and the mentioned layers were prepared in the GIS. In the present study, the non-linear two-class SVM method was used, the two-class SVM requires both datasets representing the occurrence of landslides and non-occurrence of landslides. The landslide inventory was randomly divided into a training dataset of 75% for building the models and the remaining 25% for the validation of the models. Results and conclusion: The validation results showed that the area of the prediction-rate curve under the curve (AUC) for landslide susceptibility maps produced by the SVM linear function, SVM polynomial function, SVM radial basic function, and SVM sigmoid function are 0.946, 0.931, 0.912, and 0.871 respectively. To assess the influences of factors on the landslide susceptibility map were used the Cohen’s kappa index of the model. The result shows that the most effective factors are the distance to roads, distance to drainages, and plan curvature in this area.
This article has two objectives: (1) provide a conceptual framework of volcanic risk, and (2) rev... more This article has two objectives: (1) provide a conceptual framework of volcanic risk, and (2) review research conducted since 1995 to define the prospects and challenges that exist in this science. A search by title, abstract, and key-words for the phrases “volcanic risk”, “volcanic hazard” and “volcanic vulnerability” returned 161 articles in 39 journals, which are reviewed here. This review found that continued work is needed to build a general theoretical framework of volcanic risk that can be widely accepted and applied, and that avoids confusion and misuse of various terms. Also vital is continued work on aspects of risk perception, management, and policy, all of which are key elements of disaster prevention and mitigation.
Changes in land cover and land use (LCLU) have a relevant role in current local and global change... more Changes in land cover and land use (LCLU) have a relevant role in current local and global change processes which are directly linked with water and soil quality, runoff and sedimentation rates. Soil erosion and sedimentation have been extensively studied at the experimental watershed or plot level, whereas in larger areas further research is needed for evaluating similar relationships. This paper aims to investigate LCLU change processes within the Cointzio watershed (Central Mexico) and its relationship to soil erosion and sediment transport processes. The analysis covers a 28-year time period from 1975 to 2003. LCLU changes were derived from a multitemporal remote sensing analysis (1975, 1986, 1996, 2000 and 2003) while long-term soil erosion was reconstructed based on lake sediment deposition data. We found that 46 % all of the LCLU changes occurred between 1986 and 1996. Sedimentation discharge remained stable over the 1975-2003 period (1.4±0.6 g.cm-2.y-1), with the exception of two peaks (1975-1977 and 1991-1994; 3.1±0.6 and 2.6±0.6 g.cm-2.y-1, respectively) caused by exceptional rainfall events. The processes did not lead to changes in soil erosion and sediment transport rate likely due to the simultaneous positive (forest transition and scrubland increase) and negative changes (deforestation and forest degradation). We concluded that the poor correlation of LCLU changes to sediment discharge can be explained by a balance between negative changes that promote land degradation processes (e.g., erosion, mass wasting) and positive ones that reduce these kind of processes.
Abstract Riparian systems have been included as a key component in ecosystem management because o... more Abstract Riparian systems have been included as a key component in ecosystem management because of their role in buffering the impact of land-use activities on fluvial systems. Riparian knowledge can be enhanced with a typology that reflects the multiple relationships occurring throughout the landscape. We propose a hierarchical procedure based on biophysical aspects for building local to regional typologies for guiding research and management, using the Cuitzmala River Basin as a case study. The variables involved were obtained from geospatial databases, water balances, and topographic profiles. The levels and variables are context (altitude, geoform [mountains/hills/plains], and runoff coefficient), structure (stream order, longitudinal slope, hydroperiod, and segment length), and microstructure (lateral slope, bankfull width, and length-to-width ratio). We consider humidity and functional gradient along the basin to identify groups of streams and fluvial networks. Inside each network, we described structural and microstructural features associated with riparian functions, linking them with management decisions. Therefore, the proposed hierarchical procedure can help in making riparian heterogeneity visible, focusing research and management goals, and allowing the recognition of a spatial dimension of the processes being studied.
The study of landscape connectivity in conservation has increased considerably since the early pa... more The study of landscape connectivity in conservation has increased considerably since the early part of the 21st century. While the implications of landscape connectivity are self-evident for conservation, they are also important for physical geography since a proper understanding of landscape patterns and processes allows for better landscape management practices, which are at the core of geography. This paper presents a review of the literature based on 162 publications from 2000 to 2013, in which we evaluated the current state and recent advances in the integration of landscape connectivity in the identification and planning of conservation areas. The literature review and data analysis were based on a database organized into five categories: General information, study areas, research objectives, research methods in connectivity studies, and integration of connectivity with conservation. We found a substantial increase in the number of publications relating to connectivity and conservation from 2008 to 2013. Least cost analysis was the method most commonly applied. We found no implementation of landscape connectivity proposals generated by the studies (e.g. potential corridors) into real landscape elements to ensure the permanence and functionality of ecosystems. We identified four important niches for potential future research projects: a) connectivity and climate change, b) contribution of connectivity studies to restoration planning, c) connectivity and land cover/land use change modeling and planning, d) contribution of connectivity analysis in the provision of ecosystem services across landscapes.
espanolLos bosques de niebla (BN) de Michoacan, Mexico, enfrentan fuertes presiones de extraccion... more espanolLos bosques de niebla (BN) de Michoacan, Mexico, enfrentan fuertes presiones de extraccion forestal y cambio de uso de suelo a agricultura, las cuales pueden afectar las funciones ecologicas de los suelos. En este estudio se identificaron los principales suelos de un BN en Michoacan, y se evaluaron sus contenidos de carbono organico (COS) y capacidad de retencion de agua. El diseno del muestreo fue estratificado, considerando diferentes posiciones de ladera. Ocho perfiles de suelo de 1 m de profundidad se caracterizaron con metodos estandar. Los grupos de suelo identificados, Andosol, Alisol, Umbrisol, mostraron un grado de intemperismo relativamente alto, acidez de alta a neutra y saturacion de bases baja. El contenido de COS oscilo de 92 a 152 Mg ha-1, el 55 % se distribuyo en los primeros 30 cm, y no hubo diferencias de contenido entre grupos de suelo. La retencion de agua a tension alta (TA, 1500 kPa) y baja (TB, 30 kPa) vario de 98 a 284 L m-2 y de 249 a 510 L m-2, respe...
Abstract The “Ecological Value” (EV) term has been spread in the literature since 1860; however, ... more Abstract The “Ecological Value” (EV) term has been spread in the literature since 1860; however, there is no consensus on its definition and the criteria for its assessment. To identify, assess and summarize the main definitions, criteria, indicators and applications behind the EV term, we performed a systematic literature review of 209 articles published over the last 10 years. Methods included documentation of the following data: i) study area, ii) study subject, iii) study object; iv) criteria, indicators and methods used in the analyses, v) applications of the EV term, and vi) if the study was performed in a natural protected area. Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was conducted to uncover the association among studies regarding the use of EV and to test for homogeneity among the articles publishing research involving EV. A bootstrap technique was used for MCA validation. The main findings exposed the polysemy of the term and the paucity in the definition, mainly derived by the lack of a theoretical framework. Only 74, out of the 209 revised articles, involved numerical analysis to evaluate criteria. The more recurrent criteria were those related with ecological properties (biodiversity, vulnerability) and with functional characteristics (fragmentation, connectivity and resilience). Remote sensing techniques were the more frequent method for the assessment of EV. The main applications in the use of this term were for natural and urban planning, biodiversity conservation and payment for ecosystem services. An explicit heterogeneity among articles, with and without numerical analysis, was denoted by MCA. Finally, we concluded that the EV term is highly related with the intrinsic values of the landscape.
Background and objective: The SVM algorithm is an applied method that has been considered in rece... more Background and objective: The SVM algorithm is an applied method that has been considered in recent years to study landslides. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the mapping power of the GIS-based SVM model with kernel functions analysis for spatial prediction of landslides at the Ilam dam watershed. Materials and methods: According to review sources, 14 underlying factors including elevation, slope, aspect, plan curvature, profile curvature, LS factor, TWI, SPI, Lithologic units, land cover, NDVI, road distance, distance to the drainage channel, distance to fault were selected as factors affecting the occurrence of landslides in the study area and the mentioned layers were prepared in the GIS. In the present study, the non-linear two-class SVM method was used, the two-class SVM requires both datasets representing the occurrence of landslides and non-occurrence of landslides. The landslide inventory was randomly divided into a training dataset of 75% for building the models and the remaining 25% for the validation of the models. Results and conclusion: The validation results showed that the area of the prediction-rate curve under the curve (AUC) for landslide susceptibility maps produced by the SVM linear function, SVM polynomial function, SVM radial basic function, and SVM sigmoid function are 0.946, 0.931, 0.912, and 0.871 respectively. To assess the influences of factors on the landslide susceptibility map were used the Cohen’s kappa index of the model. The result shows that the most effective factors are the distance to roads, distance to drainages, and plan curvature in this area.
This article has two objectives: (1) provide a conceptual framework of volcanic risk, and (2) rev... more This article has two objectives: (1) provide a conceptual framework of volcanic risk, and (2) review research conducted since 1995 to define the prospects and challenges that exist in this science. A search by title, abstract, and key-words for the phrases “volcanic risk”, “volcanic hazard” and “volcanic vulnerability” returned 161 articles in 39 journals, which are reviewed here. This review found that continued work is needed to build a general theoretical framework of volcanic risk that can be widely accepted and applied, and that avoids confusion and misuse of various terms. Also vital is continued work on aspects of risk perception, management, and policy, all of which are key elements of disaster prevention and mitigation.
Changes in land cover and land use (LCLU) have a relevant role in current local and global change... more Changes in land cover and land use (LCLU) have a relevant role in current local and global change processes which are directly linked with water and soil quality, runoff and sedimentation rates. Soil erosion and sedimentation have been extensively studied at the experimental watershed or plot level, whereas in larger areas further research is needed for evaluating similar relationships. This paper aims to investigate LCLU change processes within the Cointzio watershed (Central Mexico) and its relationship to soil erosion and sediment transport processes. The analysis covers a 28-year time period from 1975 to 2003. LCLU changes were derived from a multitemporal remote sensing analysis (1975, 1986, 1996, 2000 and 2003) while long-term soil erosion was reconstructed based on lake sediment deposition data. We found that 46 % all of the LCLU changes occurred between 1986 and 1996. Sedimentation discharge remained stable over the 1975-2003 period (1.4±0.6 g.cm-2.y-1), with the exception of two peaks (1975-1977 and 1991-1994; 3.1±0.6 and 2.6±0.6 g.cm-2.y-1, respectively) caused by exceptional rainfall events. The processes did not lead to changes in soil erosion and sediment transport rate likely due to the simultaneous positive (forest transition and scrubland increase) and negative changes (deforestation and forest degradation). We concluded that the poor correlation of LCLU changes to sediment discharge can be explained by a balance between negative changes that promote land degradation processes (e.g., erosion, mass wasting) and positive ones that reduce these kind of processes.
Abstract Riparian systems have been included as a key component in ecosystem management because o... more Abstract Riparian systems have been included as a key component in ecosystem management because of their role in buffering the impact of land-use activities on fluvial systems. Riparian knowledge can be enhanced with a typology that reflects the multiple relationships occurring throughout the landscape. We propose a hierarchical procedure based on biophysical aspects for building local to regional typologies for guiding research and management, using the Cuitzmala River Basin as a case study. The variables involved were obtained from geospatial databases, water balances, and topographic profiles. The levels and variables are context (altitude, geoform [mountains/hills/plains], and runoff coefficient), structure (stream order, longitudinal slope, hydroperiod, and segment length), and microstructure (lateral slope, bankfull width, and length-to-width ratio). We consider humidity and functional gradient along the basin to identify groups of streams and fluvial networks. Inside each network, we described structural and microstructural features associated with riparian functions, linking them with management decisions. Therefore, the proposed hierarchical procedure can help in making riparian heterogeneity visible, focusing research and management goals, and allowing the recognition of a spatial dimension of the processes being studied.
The study of landscape connectivity in conservation has increased considerably since the early pa... more The study of landscape connectivity in conservation has increased considerably since the early part of the 21st century. While the implications of landscape connectivity are self-evident for conservation, they are also important for physical geography since a proper understanding of landscape patterns and processes allows for better landscape management practices, which are at the core of geography. This paper presents a review of the literature based on 162 publications from 2000 to 2013, in which we evaluated the current state and recent advances in the integration of landscape connectivity in the identification and planning of conservation areas. The literature review and data analysis were based on a database organized into five categories: General information, study areas, research objectives, research methods in connectivity studies, and integration of connectivity with conservation. We found a substantial increase in the number of publications relating to connectivity and conservation from 2008 to 2013. Least cost analysis was the method most commonly applied. We found no implementation of landscape connectivity proposals generated by the studies (e.g. potential corridors) into real landscape elements to ensure the permanence and functionality of ecosystems. We identified four important niches for potential future research projects: a) connectivity and climate change, b) contribution of connectivity studies to restoration planning, c) connectivity and land cover/land use change modeling and planning, d) contribution of connectivity analysis in the provision of ecosystem services across landscapes.
espanolLos bosques de niebla (BN) de Michoacan, Mexico, enfrentan fuertes presiones de extraccion... more espanolLos bosques de niebla (BN) de Michoacan, Mexico, enfrentan fuertes presiones de extraccion forestal y cambio de uso de suelo a agricultura, las cuales pueden afectar las funciones ecologicas de los suelos. En este estudio se identificaron los principales suelos de un BN en Michoacan, y se evaluaron sus contenidos de carbono organico (COS) y capacidad de retencion de agua. El diseno del muestreo fue estratificado, considerando diferentes posiciones de ladera. Ocho perfiles de suelo de 1 m de profundidad se caracterizaron con metodos estandar. Los grupos de suelo identificados, Andosol, Alisol, Umbrisol, mostraron un grado de intemperismo relativamente alto, acidez de alta a neutra y saturacion de bases baja. El contenido de COS oscilo de 92 a 152 Mg ha-1, el 55 % se distribuyo en los primeros 30 cm, y no hubo diferencias de contenido entre grupos de suelo. La retencion de agua a tension alta (TA, 1500 kPa) y baja (TB, 30 kPa) vario de 98 a 284 L m-2 y de 249 a 510 L m-2, respe...
Abstract The “Ecological Value” (EV) term has been spread in the literature since 1860; however, ... more Abstract The “Ecological Value” (EV) term has been spread in the literature since 1860; however, there is no consensus on its definition and the criteria for its assessment. To identify, assess and summarize the main definitions, criteria, indicators and applications behind the EV term, we performed a systematic literature review of 209 articles published over the last 10 years. Methods included documentation of the following data: i) study area, ii) study subject, iii) study object; iv) criteria, indicators and methods used in the analyses, v) applications of the EV term, and vi) if the study was performed in a natural protected area. Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was conducted to uncover the association among studies regarding the use of EV and to test for homogeneity among the articles publishing research involving EV. A bootstrap technique was used for MCA validation. The main findings exposed the polysemy of the term and the paucity in the definition, mainly derived by the lack of a theoretical framework. Only 74, out of the 209 revised articles, involved numerical analysis to evaluate criteria. The more recurrent criteria were those related with ecological properties (biodiversity, vulnerability) and with functional characteristics (fragmentation, connectivity and resilience). Remote sensing techniques were the more frequent method for the assessment of EV. The main applications in the use of this term were for natural and urban planning, biodiversity conservation and payment for ecosystem services. An explicit heterogeneity among articles, with and without numerical analysis, was denoted by MCA. Finally, we concluded that the EV term is highly related with the intrinsic values of the landscape.
Esta contribución pretende establecer un marco de referencia sobre el
espacio físico de la entida... more Esta contribución pretende establecer un marco de referencia sobre el espacio físico de la entidad, en cuyas condiciones y variantes se distribuye su riqueza biológica, tomando en consideración sus aspectos fisiográficos, altitudinales y climáticas, así como las geoformas resultantes.
En esta contribución se presentan la caracterización de las regiones hidrológicas, cuencas y cuer... more En esta contribución se presentan la caracterización de las regiones hidrológicas, cuencas y cuerpos de agua que conforman el Estado de Michoacán y enfatiza que el agua es un recurso no renovable y debe por lo tanto ser utilizado de manera consciente para cualquier actividad humana.
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espacio físico de la entidad, en cuyas condiciones y variantes se distribuye
su riqueza biológica, tomando en consideración sus aspectos fisiográficos,
altitudinales y climáticas, así como las geoformas resultantes.