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In this paper a methodology for evaluating the feasibility of economic subsidies on land use systems using local indicators of sustainability in the Constitucion region, Calakmul, Campeche (Mexico), is proposed. In order to identify the sustainability indicators for evaluating the Jalapeño pepper (Capsicum annum L.), and Maize (Zea mayz L.) crop systems, local farmers, policymakers and agronomists were interviewed and a list of 17 indicators were obtained. Both evaluating models were approved by the Municipal Council for Sustainable Rural Development of Calakmul (CMDRS), committee that endorses subsidies to farmers through an application contest. The Jalapeño pepper got 69.40% and the Maize crop system got 54.10%. The main identified limitations in both crop systems are the lack of crop-production technologies, lack of organisation among farmers and deficient trading of the harvests. The methodology proposed here, is meant to help farmers, policymakers and agronomist to identify the main limitations in the production of the regional main crop systems, in order to invest the scarce resources in solving this problem. We believe the methodology could be applied in other regions of Mexico; so far the indicators are adjusted to local conditions of each region to be used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fish community of the southern Gulf of Mexico is abundant and diverse, and its components are affected by the bycatch of the seabob shrimp fishery. The spatial and temporal abundance and diversity patterns of the fish community are described and analyzed in this paper, and the ecologically dominant species are identified. Monthly sampling was carried out from February 2006 to January 2007, at 37 sites located between the mouth of the Grijalva-Usumacinta system to the mouth of the Chumpan-Balchacah system inside the Terminos Lagoon, in the state of Campeche, southern Gulf of Mexico. Using an experimental trawl net, 444 experimental hauls were done, and 26,386 individuals were caught with a joint weight of 407.1 kg. In total, 94 species were identified, grouped in 65 genera and 38 families. The abundance and diversity of the fish community was analyzed on spatial and temporal scales in terms of density (ind m²), biomass (g m²), average weight (g ind-1), diversity index (H'n), species richness (Dmg), and evenness (J'). The abundance was high in August and September at sites near the mouths of the Grijalva-Usumacinta and Palizada-Del Este systems. The most important species in terms of abundance was the catfish, Cathorops melanopus. The intervals of variation of the diversity range on a spatial scale were H'n = 0.5 to 2.8 bits; Dmg = 2.6 to 5.3 sp ind-1, and J' = 0.1 to 0.8 bits. On a temporal scale, the intervals were: H'n = 1.8 to 2.6 bits; Dmg = 5.1 to 6.7 sp ind-1, and J' = 0.4 to 0.6 bits. Nine dominant species were identified, with 16,840 individuals and a joint weight of 278.5 kg, equivalent to 63.8% of the total capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper offers an analysis of the situation presented by environmental education at the high-school level, by means of a case study done in the municipality of Campeche. There was performed exploratory research which combined quantitative and qualitative methods to diagnose high-school students' level of environmental culture, as well as the type of environmental education they receive. The results indicate that students have a low level of environmental awareness, and lack the necessary knowledge and skills with which to make environmentally-friendly changes in their lifestyles. Although they show an interest in environmental issues, both their institutional context and their teachers' low level of qualification operate as factors that discourage the students. The results allowed us to identify windows of opportunity for environmental education in the light of the students' positive attitudes, their interest in learning sustainable practices, and the importance of the school as a source of information on the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the relationship between source of income and type of expenditure through the decisions made by 92 peasant women from Calakmul, Campeche, Mexico during an entire agricultural cycle. Results show that even amongst women with little money, income generated or obtained independently by this gender is spent more on capital goods, children's education, and luxury goods than the money they obtain from their husbands and other relatives. We use these results to discusses that the empowerment of women and the source of income they represent are of mayor importance to family economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]