El Colegio de Veracruz

Urban wetlands in coastal cities are under growing strain from urban growth, climate change, and governance that is often fragmented. This study evaluates the condition of the freshwater dune lakes located in the Veracruz–Boca del Río–Medellín conurbation in Mexico, a protected corridor made up of 33 dune lakes that is increasingly pressured by urban expansion. We used an interdisciplinary approach that combined ecological monitoring, legal analysis, and participatory management tools. Fieldwork included 24 h monitoring of dissolved oxygen, measurements of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) in representative systems, a diachronic review of the legal evolution of five Natural Protected Areas (NPAs), and community workshops to jointly design interventions. The results showed strong day–night swings in oxygen (4.0–14.8 mg/L) linked to vegetation dynamics, with nighttime hypoxia posing risks for aquatic fauna. BOD5 ranged from 4.8 to 150.3 mg/L, pointing to severe organic pollution in the most degraded system. The legal review identified repeated patterns of environmental regression, expressed through reductions in protected polygons, the legalization of irregular settlements, and the fragmentation of protected areas through judicial processes. In response, we propose a hybrid management model that brings together riparian restoration, Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), green infrastructure, and participatory monitoring, emphasizing a key 100 m buffer zone. This integrated strategy aims to improve flood regulation, reduce urban heat island effects, and enhance water quality, while also reinforcing community stewardship and legal protection. We conclude that conserving these urban wetlands effectively requires adaptive approaches that connect landscape-scale and local-scale actions, which are essential for climate adaptation in rapidly urbanizing coastal regions.

Abstract Background Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence and prevalence rates of tuberculosis have increased globally; therefore, it is important to determine the epidemiological profile of these patients, primarily in populations endemic for this mycobacterial infection.Cases of tuberculosis per yearAnatomical involvement by tuberculosis Methods Epidemiological reports of tuberculosis cases in the pediatric and adult population from 2020 to 2024 in a tertiary care hospital in Veracruz, Mexico, were analyzed. Results 847 suspected cases were reported, 506 cases were confirmed (60%). The average age was 42 years (range, 1 to 81 years). 70% of cases were male. The distribution of cases/year was: 2020: 59 cases, 2021: 21 cases, 2022: 86 cases, 2023: 89 cases, 2024: 127 cases. Pulmonary tuberculosis was reported in 72% cases, followed by meningeal tuberculosis 9%, miliary 8%, pleural 7%, lymph node 1%, bone 0.5%. New patients entering treatment 327 cases (65%), new patients with drug resistance 2%, Relapse to primary treatment 1%, Relapse to primary retreatment 1%, Readmission due to abandonment of primary treatment 3%, Readmission due to abandonment of primary retreatment 1%, Readmission due to failure of primary treatment 1%, Readmission due to failure of primary retreatment 0.7%. Patients were cured in 10%, death from tuberculosis in 3.3%, and death from other causes in 14%. Treatment failure in 0.3%, treatment abandonment in 7.3%, treatment completion in 12%, and current treatment in 24%. Drug resistance analysis included 154 cases (30%), mono-resistant in 1%, and treatment-sensitive in 29%. Conclusion It is important to understand the epidemiological profile of tuberculosis in endemic areas in order to implement better strategies focused on the surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment of this infectious disease, and to limit treatment failure, abandonment, and resistance. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Los bosques cafetaleros son agroecosistemas muy valorados en Coatepec, Veracruz, México por sus atributos socioambientales. Sin embargo, existe información muy limitada sobre aspectos de la sustentabilidad en los cafetales del municipio. Debido a ello, el objetivo de esta investigación fue estimar un índice de sustentabilidad, e identificar las contribuciones y las limitaciones más importantes de tres cafetales en Coatepec, Veracruz, México. El estudio se llevó a cabo a través de una evaluación mediante indicadores agrupados en cuatro rubros (ambiental, económico, social y técnico) que integran un índice general de sustentabilidad (IGS), con valor máximo de 4.0, el cual se divide en cuatro categorías: de 2.1 a 2.5 agroecosistema ligeramente sustentable, de 2.6 a 3.0 es fuertemente sustentable, de 3.1 a 3.5 es muy sustentable y 3.6 a 4.0 extremadamente sustentable. Los resultados indican que el sitio 3 obtuvo el índice más alto (IGS=2.90) categorizándose como fuertemente sustentable, seguido del sitio 2 (IGS=1.92) y finalmente el sitio 1 (IGS=1.34), que se categorizan como no sustentables. Por lo tanto, solamente uno de los tres sitios estudiados se considera sustentable. Las contribuciones más importantes en los tres sitios se encontraron en los aspectos ambientales y sociales, mientras que las limitaciones más relevantes en los aspectos técnicos y económicos.

The discharge of wastewater into bodies of water and subsoil poses a serious pollution problem. In many neighborhoods or districts, there are often no wastewater treatment systems due to the high costs involved, which may compromise human health. Constructed wetlands (CWs) offer an ecological solution to improve water quality and enable its reuse. They promote the removal of contaminants through physical, chemical, and biological processes. The objective of this study was to evaluate Canna hybrids, Zingiber spectabile, and Alpinia purpurata—ornamental plants not typical of wetlands—regarding their function as phytoremediators and their growth under such conditions. Utilizing CWs with ornamental plants for water treatment in neighborhoods could improve the adoption of this ecotechnology. To this end, eight cells were built: two were controls (without plants), two contained Canna hybrids, two had Zingiber spectabile, and two included Alpinia purpurata, all designed for a hydraulic retention time of three days. Inlet and outlet water samples were collected biweekly for six months. The results showed that the cells with Canna hybrids and Zingiber spectabile removed from 40 to 70% of total nitrogen and phosphorus. In terms of organic matter, measured as COD and TSS, the removals ranged from 55 to 90%. In contrast, cells with Alpinia purpurata demonstrated removal rates of only 30 to 50%, which were statistically lower (p ≤ 0.05), indicating a slower adaptation to wetland conditions. This slower adaptability is directly related to the growth of the species, as Alpinia purpurata also exhibited the lowest growth rates. The study concluded that using CWs with the studied ornamental plants is a viable alternative for treating wastewater and, at the same time, they may add a commercial value to the vegetation. Additionally, they can enhance the aesthetic landscape with colorful flowers that attract birds and insects and the treated water could be utilized to irrigate sports areas or urban planters.

<p><strong>Background: </strong>Coffee plantations under shade contribute significantly to carbon storage and sequestration because they can capture CO<sub>2</sub>, reducing its presence in the air; however, there are few estimates of their potential and economic value. <strong>Objective</strong>: To determine the species used as shade trees and estimate the storage and sequestration of aerial carbon, as well as the economic value of carbon capture in three coffee plantations in Coatepec, Veracruz, México with a total area of 4 ha using the i-tree software. <strong>Methodology:</strong> A census of shade trees was carried out in 6 plots of 20 x 20 m in the three sites. The species, diameter at breast height (DBH), crown diameter in two directions: north-south and east-west, height of the live crown and the height of the crown base. crown percentage, dieback percentage, and crown light exposure. The census data was recorded in a Microsoft Excel 2019 spreadsheet and subsequently exported to the i-Tree ECO v6 software. <strong>Results:</strong> One hundred two trees corresponding to 17 families and 20 species were recorded, of which the most abundant were in site 1 <em>Inga vera</em> (57 %), in site 2 <em>Alchornea latifolia</em> (21 %), and in site 3 <em>Pinus chiapensis</em> (28 %). The estimated carbon stored for the three sites was 1,215.21 t CO<sub>2</sub>e, and the annual sequestration was 63.01 t CO<sub>2</sub>e. The carbon stored in the three coffee plantations has an estimated economic value of $394 940 MXN, and the sequestered carbon has a value of $19 695 MXN. <strong>Implications:</strong> In the long term, carbon capture could provide significant monetary value if a proposal is developed for carbon sales or programs for the payment of environmental services in the coffee plantations of Coatepec, Veracruz. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> This study contributed to determining the diversity of shade trees for carbon capture and demonstrating their monetary value as a strategy for conserving the tree canopy.</p>

Even though cloud forests are estimated to cover less than 0.2% of the Earth’s surface ([Bruijnzeel et al. 2011][1]), they hold almost 14% of the world’s biodiversity, with a high percentage of endemic species ([Karger et al. 2021][2]). Cloud forest conservation is a priority ([Myers et al. 2000

ABSTRACT This study aims to evaluate the mechanical properties of alkali-treated Prosopis Juliflora (PJ) fiber-reinforced polymer composites and compare them with palm fiber and glass fiber composites. The composites were fabricated using a hand lay-up method with fiber weight ratios of 10%, 15%, and 20%. For tensile strength, treated PJ composites increased from 55 MPa at 10% fiber content to 65 MPa at 20%. Flexural strength improved with treated PJ composites rising from 220 MPa to 240 MPa. The Glass+PJ hybrid composite demonstrated the highest flexural strength, reaching 260 MPa. Impact strength also improved, with treated fibers increasing from 55 J/m to 65 J/m, while Glass+PJ achieved 75 J/m.The novelty of this work lies in presenting the first direct comparative evaluation of alkali-treated Prosopis juliflora, palm, and glass fibre reinforcements within a uniform processing framework, offering insights into the mechanical environmental trade-offs for composite design. However, the present work is limited to short-term laboratory testing and does not include durability assessments such as fatigue or aging studies. The findings demonstrate that properly treated natural fibres, particularly Prosopis juliflora, can serve as cost-effective, lightweight, and sustainable reinforcements for semi-structural and automotive interior applications.

In May and June 2024, a die-off of Mexican mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata mexicana) occurred in southern Mexico. This commentary documents the event, attributing it to extreme heatwaves, drought, wildfires, and habitat impoverishment. Despite their reported resilience to habitat disturbances, mantled howler monkey mortality rate in some areas reached 31%. Key evidence points to heatstroke as the primary cause of death, exacerbated by limited hydration and reduced dietary diversity in disturbed habitats. Immediate responses included community-led rescues (e.g., hydrating the monkeys), coordination of rescue activities by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) (e.g., managing donations), involvement of scientists (e.g., monitoring of primate populations), and assistance from government officials (e.g., providing legal support for animal management). This event underscores the urgency of developing action plans to prevent and attend future crises. Among other actions, we highlight (i) establishing primate care infrastructure with medical and rehabilitation centers; (ii) developing protocols and training programs to ensure rapid crisis response; (iii) fostering collaboration among government, NGOs, and academic institutions for effective crisis management; and (iv) developing targeted research on climate change impacts, predictive models, and long-term health monitoring. We emphasize the critical need for coordinated conservation efforts to protect wild primates and maintain natural ecosystem resilience in the face of escalating climate challenges.

El objetivo del estudio fue analizar la relación entre preferencias sensoriales de aprendizaje e inteligencia fluida en estudiantes mexicanos de nivel medio superior y universitario. Con un enfoque cuantitativo, se realizó un estudio transversal con 91 bachilleres del sureste y 98 universitarios del centro del país. Los participantes tenían 16.2 y 21.3 años, respectivamente, y el 39.1% eran mujeres. Se utilizaron el cuestionario VALK y la prueba de matrices progresivas de Raven. Las preferencias auditivas y kinestésicas fueron predominantes en ambos niveles, con una proporción significativa de estudiantes, mostrando preferencias multimodales. Los universitarios obtuvieron puntajes significativamente más altos en inteligencia fluida. Se hallaron asociaciones entre inteligencia fluida y lectura/escritura en bachilleres y la modalidad visual, en universitarios.

Constructed Wetlands (CWs) are a type of nature-based solution that uses ecological engineering to treat wastewater. The legal feasibility of implementing CWs as a treatment system in urban residential areas has been researched in various Latin American countries, including Chile, Peru, Colombia, Panama, and Guatemala. However, research regarding the legal feasibility of implementing CWs in urban areas, particularly in Multifamily Housing Units of Social Interest (MHUSI) in Mexico, was not found. Thus, this research aims to analyze the legal feasibility of CWs as wastewater treatment systems in the MHUSI of Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. To achieve this objective, a qualitative exploratory study was conducted. The study involved a documentary investigation to gather information about the background of the research, as well as content analysis to scrutinize legal documents such as laws, regulations, decrees, and Mexican Official Standards. The documental research focused on the search for regulatory documents, such as laws, regulations, decrees and standards, both at the federal level and at the state and municipal level. The content analysis focused on identifying the subsections, fractions and articles of the regulations found on water and sanitation, environmental impact and urban development applicable to the wastewater treatment systems of the MHUSI of Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. The research revealed that in Mexico, regulations mandate MHUSI to have a treatment plant in situations where it is not feasible to connect to the municipal sewage network. However, the use of CWs on a large scale to mitigate pollution from discharges has not been identified as a solution. After careful analysis, it has been determined that installing CWs wastewater treatment systems in MHUSI is legally feasible. In Veracruz, in terms of environmental impact, wastewater treatment systems no require an Environmental Impact Statement, which simplifies the procedures for this type of systems. In terms of urban development, MHUSI must incorporate a wastewater treatment system into their infrastructure. Regarding water and sanitation, no restrictions were found beyond guaranteeing compliance with the maximum permissible limits of contaminants established in Mexican standards. Finally, it was found that CWs are a method accepted by CONAGUA for the treatment of wastewater; in addition, this entity has a published manual and an inventory that includes them as a recognized process. However, it is crucial to ensure that the operation of these systems adheres to the regulations governing environmental impact and the permissible levels of contaminants in wastewater discharges to municipal sewage networks. This study is the first in Mexico to examine the legal viability of CWs as wastewater treatment systems in urban environments, specifically in MHUSI, providing a background that can contribute to the development of policies and regulations in this field. It is recommended to carry out technical, structural and financial feasibility studies to implement CWs in MHUSI in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico., aspects that were not addressed in this research.