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Conservar el agua limpia en el ambiente, garantiza disponer de ecosistemas aptos para la flora, fauna y los seres humanos, además de que, el agua dulce continental es la principal fuente de suministro de agua potable, de ahí la importancia de proteger este recurso de la contaminación. En cuanto a la contaminación por plaguicidas al ambiente, es bien sabido que su destino ambiental depende en gran parte de sus propiedades físicoquímicas, así como de las condiciones ambientales del lugar de donde se aplican, que al final son los dos factores primordiales que determinan el grado de su retención, degradación o movilidad a través del suelo, que tan soluble es en el agua y volátil para ser transportado por el aire. Por mencionar un ejemplo al respecto, el parámetro de vida media de un plaguicida puede ser una medida útil de cuánto tiempo puede permanecer este en el medio aplicado, sin embargo, estudios realizados han encontrado una amplia variedad de valores de vidas medias para el mismo plaguicida bajo diferentes condiciones ambientales. Por otro lado, el creciente desarrollo en años recientes de los softwares en Sistemas de Información Geográfica (SIG) y su uso frecuente para el procesamiento de información espacial y temporal, en las diferentes disciplinas de la investigación, aquí es empleado. En base a lo anteriormente expuesto, la presente investigación tuvo como objetivo establecer un balance de plaguicidas en la superficie del suelo de un invernadero de cultivo de flor de forma espacial a través del software de SIG TerrSet aplicando modelos matemáticos, cuyas variables de retroalimentación fueron obtenidas experimentalmente en campo y de bibliografía, para realizar estimaciones del destino ambiental de los plaguicidas aplicados a nivel de invernadero. La zona de aplicación del estudio, se realizó en el municipio de Villa Guerrero, Estado de México, México.

México es identificado como centro de origen del maíz; a ello se agrega un sólido conocimiento etnoecológico local sobre su cultivo, clima y cosmogonía. Esta investigación plantea: 1) integrar y capitalizar el conocimiento del campesino en la Cuenca Alta del Río Lerma y 2) identificar detonadores de sostenibilidad local. Mediante entrevistas etnoecológicas y el método Delphi se construyó un modelo conceptual del cultivo de maíz de temporal, basado en cuatro dimensiones: maíz, labores agrícolas, clima-ambiente y religión-cosmogonía. La variabilidad climática, el cambio generacional y la industrialización podrían ser un desafío para los campesinos si no se capitaliza su conocimiento etnoecológico.

We analyzed the behavior of forest fires for daily prediction purposes in one of the regions with the highest fire incidence in Mexico. The main objective was to build logistic regression models (LRMs) for daily prediction of forest fire ignition based on meteorological drought indices. We built 252 LRMs for seven types of vegetation cover of greater representativeness and interest for the study area. Three dynamic variables were considered to estimate daily dryness in combustible fuels based on the effective drought index and the standardized precipitation-evapotranspiration index. Additionally, two weather data sources were included in drought indices: conventional weather stations (CWS) and automatic weather stations (AWS). Prediction efficiency assessment for LRMs was done through the relative operating characteristic (ROC) and model precision efficiency (MPE). The results show that LRMs using data from CWS performed relatively better than those based on data from AWS, as the former data sources have higher spatial density and thus generate predictions with higher accuracy (ROC ≥ 0.700, MPE ≥ 0.934). For both data sources, the use of standardized precipitation-evapotranspiration index as a fuel dryness estimator is recommended, as it reflects an atmospheric moisture balance between precipitation and reference evapotranspiration (ROC ≥ 0.734, MPE = 1). Such predictive models can be used as inputs in early warning systems for forest fire prevention or mitigation.

El objetivo de este trabajo es realizar un analisis de los factores subyacentes constructores de vulnerabilidades ante riesgo de desastres en el Estado de Mexico, enfocado principalmente en las inundaciones, por ser el riesgo extensivo con mayores impactos y danos al ambiente y a la sociedad. Estos factores subyacentes que se mencionan durante el trabajo tambien son validos para los riesgos geologicos. El trabajo considera los pocos estudios realizados sobre atlas de riesgo y de ordenamiento ecologico en los municipios del Estado de Mexico, porque no esta cubierto todo el estado. The objective of this work is to carry out an analysis of the underlying factors that build vulnerability to disaster risk in the State of Mexico, focused mainly on floods, as it is the extensive risk with greater impacts and damage to the environment and society. These underlying factors that are mentioned during work are also valid for geological hazards. The work considers the few studies carried out on atlases of risk and ecological order in the municipalities of the State of Mexico, because the entire state is not covered.

En este trabajo se presentan los hallazgos obtenidos por medio de experimentos realizados en un canal de laboratorio, de seccion transversal rectangular y paredes de vidrio, provisto de un fondo movil constituido por un deposito de sedimentos uniformes no cohesivos, para el cual se simulo el inicio de movimiento. El objetivo perseguido consistio en estimar la rugosidad equivalente y las condiciones criticas para el inicio de movimiento. La rugosidad equivalente se obtuvo al contrastar los perfiles de velocidad obtenidos experimentalmente con el modelo teorico de Fuentes & Carrasquel (1978). La velocidad de corte se determino a partir del esfuerzo turbulento de acuerdo con la distribucion de los esfuerzos de Reynolds. La investigacion incluyo el analisis de cinco diferentes tamanos de sedimento. Las velocidades instantaneas del flujo al centro del canal y sobre el fondo movil fueron definidas por medio de la tecnica optica de velocimetria por rastreo de particulas (PTV). Lo anterior facilito la estimacion de la esperanza matematica puntual de la velocidad para intervalos del tirante de agua y con ello ajustar el perfil de velocidades de acuerdo con la ley logaritmica de distribucion de velocidad del flujo. Los resultados muestran que la rugosidad de fondo es mayor al diametro medio de las particulas del lecho y que la razon de la rugosidad con respecto al tamano medio del sedimento puede expresarse como una funcion del Reynolds de particulas. Se observo asimismo una disminucion de la rugosidad equivalente justo despues del inicio de movimiento de 26, 22 y 16% para lechos moviles con diametro uniforme representativo (D) de particulas de 0.64, 0.93 y 1.68 mm, respectivamente.

Introduction: The management of irrigation areas aims to achieve an efficient use of resources for full user satisfaction. Objectives: To propose a methodology for hydrosystemic management in which crop demand, irrigation planning in the allocation and distribution of water, as well as conduction capacity concur. Methodology: A hydrosystemic management function was developed in which the variables of interest, consisting of six stages, concur and the “Santa Rosa” irrigation module of irrigation district 075, Sinaloa, Mexico, was evaluated. A maximum ten-day water demand requirement was estimated, with an established area of 22 518 ha and a maximum irrigation demand area of 13 548 ha. Results: Irrigation distribution planning in the evaluated module requires a maximum flow of 27.18 m3∙s-1, being satisfied with the canal capacity (27.87 m3∙s-1), and a maximum ten-day volume of 11 million m3. Study limitations: Only the controlled demand distribution method was used, since it is employed in irrigation districts in Mexico. Originality: The variables of an irrigation area are analyzed and implemented together, which will facilitate the integrated operation of large agricultural hydrosystems. Conclusions: The application of the proposed management instrument will facilitate water delivery according to the controlled demand distribution method in Mexico’s irrigation districts.

A labyrinth weir allows for higher discharge capacity than conventional linear weirs, especially at low hydraulic heads. In fact, this is an alternative for the design or rehabilitation of spillways. It can even be used as a strategy in problems related to dam safety. A sequential design method for a labyrinth weir is based on optimal geometric parameters and the results of discharge flow analysis using Computational Fluid Dynamics and the experimental studies reported in the literature. The tests performed were for weirs with values of HT/P ≤ 0.8 and for angles of the cycle sidewall of 6° ≤ α ≤ 20°. The results of the discharge coefficient are presented as a family of curves, which indicates a higher discharge capacity when HT/P ≤ 0.17. Four aeration conditions are identified with higher discharge capacity when the nappe is adhering to the downstream face of the weir wall and lower discharge capacity when the nappe is drowned. Unstable flow was present when 12° ≤ α ≤ 20°, with a greater presence when the nappe was partially aerated and drowned. The interference of the nappe is characterized and quantified, reaching up to 60% of the length between the apex, and a family of curves is presented as a function of HT/P in this respect. Finally, a spreadsheet and a flowchart are proposed to support the design of the labyrinth type weir.

Particle aggregation modifies sediment dynamics, which is a determining factor for morphodynamic and ecological processes in deltaic plains. Here, we investigated the link between intra-annual hydrodynamics variability and flocculation in the Grijalva-Usumacinta system. Monthly (2016–2017) and seasonal (2021–2022) river data was processed using analytical methods and the simplified sonar equation. Flocs were reformed and characterized in the laboratory, validating the in situ settling velocities (0.5–3.8 mm/s) and the existence of large low-density macro-flocs (>300 μm). We verified that flocculation prevailed, exhibiting seasonal patterns; (1) the highest aggregation rates matched the increase in total suspended solids at rising-flow (>100 mg/L), (2) periods of high-flow showed stable aggregation rates, and (3) an influence of marine conditions occurred at low-flow. Particulate phosphorous and organic fraction showed seasonal patterns linked to flocculation. Due to damming, the shear rates varied slightly (7–11 L/s) in the Grijalva, leading to high flocculation intensities affecting the diffusivity ratio. In the Usumacinta, aggregation was limited by shear rates that normally exceed 15 1/s. We found seasonal Rouse parameters representative of sediment dynamics.

Dengue is the most important viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, predominantly Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.) (Diptera:Culicidae). Forty percent of the world’s population is at risk of contracting the disease, and a large area of Mexico presents suitable environmental conditions for the life cycle of Ae. aegypti. In particular, the Central Mexican Highlands have a high population density, increasing the risk of transmission and propagation of dengue. In the present study, the potential distribution of Ae. aegypti was modeled under an ecological niche approach using the maximum entropy technique with the aim of determining the spatial risk distribution of dengue. The final model of five variables (minimum temperature of the coldest month |Bio6|, precipitation of the wettest month |Bio13|, precipitation seasonality |Bio15|, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and relative humidity) contributed to more than 90% of the model’s performance. The results of the potential distribution model were then compared with the number of dengue cases per locality during the 2009–2015 period considering four suitability of presence categories. Category 4 corresponded with the highest suitability of presence (0.747 to 1) and the greatest risk of dengue (odds ratio [OR] = 103.27; P < 0.001). In conclusion, the present ecological niche model represents an important tool for the monitoring of dengue and the identification of high-risk areas.

[EN] The water security must be the strategic objective of the water policy in Mexico. It is with respect to this normative principle that the current situation of the water resources, in quality and quantity, as well as the water management in practice must be evaluated. In this text, a general diagnosis of water security in Mexico is presented, as well as the main challenges it faces now and in the near future. The water availability and scarcity is analyzed with a territorial approach, as well as the condition of the aquifers, the surface and underground waters quality and the water uses. The main challenges for water security and trends in the most relevant modeling forces are addressed. To address the problems described, specific actions are proposed and, as a general conclusion, the need for a water reform in Mexico is suggested., [ES] La seguridad hídrica debe ser el objetivo estratégico de la política del agua en México. Es respecto de este principio normativo que debe evaluarse la situación actual de los recursos hídricos, en calidad y cantidad, así como de la gestión del agua en práctica. En este texto se elabora un diagnóstico general de la seguridad hídrica en México, así como de los retos que enfrenta ahora y en el futuro cercano. Se analiza la disponibilidad y escasez con un enfoque territorial, así como la condición de los acuíferos, la calidad del agua superficial y subterránea y los usos del agua. Se abordan los principales desafíos para la seguridad hídrica y las tendencias en las fuerzas modeladoras más relevantes. Para atender la problemática descrita, se proponen acciones específicas y, como conclusión general, la necesidad de una reforma del agua en México., Los autores agradecen a Paul Hernández Moreno, candidato a Doctor en Ciencias del Agua por la Universidad de las Américas Puebla, por la elaboración de la figura 7.

This paper shows the effects of changes in the spatial-temporal behavior and phase shift of climate variables on rainfed agriculture in the Lerma-Chapala-Santiago Basin in central Mexico. Specifically, changes in rainfall (R), maximum temperature (Tmax), and minimum temperature (Tmin) were analyzed over two 25-year periods (1960 to 1985 and 1986 to 2010). Climate surfaces were generated by interpolation using the thin-plate smoothing spline algorithm in the software ANUSPLIN. Climate data were Fourier-transformed and fitted to a sinusoidal curve model, and changes in amplitude (increase) and phase were analyzed. The temporal behavior (1960–2010) indicated that rainfall was the most stable variable at the monthly level and presented no significant changes. However, Tmax increased by 2°C in the final period, and Tmin increased by 0.7°C at the end of the final period. The basin was discretized into ten rainfed crop areas (RCAs) according to the extent of changes in the amplitude and phase of the climate variables. The central and southern portions (55% of the area) presented more significant changes in amplitude, mainly in Tmin and Tmax. The remaining RCAs were smaller (14.6%) but presented greater variation: the amplitude of the Tmin decreased in addition to showing a phase shift, whereas Tmax increased in addition to showing a phase shift. These results translate into a delay in the characteristic temperatures of the spring and summer seasons, which can impact the rainfed crop cycle. Additionally, rainfall showed an annual decrease of approximately 50 mm in all RCAs, which can affect the phenological development of crops during critical stages (emergence through flowering). These changes represent a significant threat to the regional economy and food security of Mexico.

The interdependence of water, energy, and food systems is widely recognized. Recently, this interdependence has generated significant concerns around the world, as global projections indicate that the demand for water, energy, and food will significantly increase over the next few decades. Mexico will confront several challenges given the simultaneous pressures of population growth, urbanization, climate variability, and climate change. Therefore, in this work, water, energy, and food resources in Mexico are quantified in terms of their availability and demand. Also, the disparities between the northern, southern, and central regions of the country are highlighted. Specific challenges to water, energy, and food systems are described, as well as the lack of an efficient approach for establishing the nexus between these systems. Finally, one approach for effectively measuring and establishing the water–energy–food nexus through emergy is proposed and exemplified. In this respect, emergy is an expression of all the energy used in the work processes that generate a service (water, energy, or food) in units of one type of energy (emjoules).

RESUMEN: Las ciudades son los motores del desarrollo en el siglo XXI. El factor clave para su super vivencia y desarrollo es el agua. Por tanto, es fundamental estudiar la compleja relación disponibilidad-demanda de agua en las ciudades para impulsar el progreso y bienestar de las sociedades. El modelado y simulación del "Ciclo Hidrosocial Urbano” para el perio do 2015-2030 de la Zona Metropolitana de Toluca (ZMT), corresponde a la interrelación estructural y dinámica del modelo teórico conceptual de oferta y demanda de agua del sistema agua-sociedad inmerso en la "Cuenca Hidrosocial”, bajo un enfoque metodo lógico de modelación dinámica adaptiva. Los escenarios develan tendencias insosteni bles, severos impactos y consecuencias que exigen una reflexión profunda. Constituye un insumo indispensable para tomar decisiones estratégicas en la planificación y diseño de políticas públicas de gestión del agua, para lograr un suministro de agua sostenible, resiliente y menos vulnerable en las próximas décadas. ABSTRACT: Cities are the engines of development in the 21st century. The key factor for its survival and development is water. Therefore, it is fundamental to study the complex water-avail ability relation in cities to boost the progress and welfare of societies. The modeling and simulation of the Urban Hydrosocial Cycle for the period 2015-2030 in the Metropolitan Area of Toluca (MAT) corresponds to the structural and dynamic interrelationship of the conceptual model of water supply and demand of the water-society system immersed in the Hydrosocial Basin, under a methodological approach of dynamic adaptive modeling. The scenarios reveal unsustainable tendencies, severe impacts and consequences that require deep reflection. It is an indispensable input for making strategic decisions in the planning and design of public water management policies, to achieve a sustainable, re silient and less vulnerable water supply in the coming decades.

La sequía se define como un periodo prolongado de escasez de recursos hídricos por debajo de niveles normales, que provoca efectos adversos sobre los sistemas de producción de recursos. Según el IPCC, cada vez más se presentarán episodios de sequía severos por lo que se incrementará el peligro de incendios en el mundo. Sin embargo, los incendios forestales son parte del proceso natural de regeneración y limpieza del ambiente, pero las actividades antropógenas han desequilibrado este proceso. El objetivo de este trabajo consistió en construir un modelo dinámico (diario) de regresión logística, para detección de zonas con peligro por ignición de incendios forestales. La propuesta es aplicada a la región geográfica con coordenadas extremas 18.1845° a 20.4435° de Latitud Norte, y 98.34525° a 100.8495° de Longitud Oeste, que incluye completamente los territorios estatales de Morelos y de México. El periodo disponible de información para construcción del modelo fue de 2006 a 2009, donde se obtuvo una eficiencia del 98 % en la predicción de incendios para el año 2009. Más del 80 % de los incendios forestales ocurridos resultaron con categoría de alto y muy alto peligro de ignición, concentrándose en coberturas de bosques de pino y mesófilo de montaña. Con este tipo de técnicas alternativas, se espera poder coadyuvar en la mitigación de incendios forestales en sitios donde no se cuente con datos históricos de incendios, así como tomarse de base para la definición de sistemas de alerta temprana contra incendios forestales en el estado de Morelos.

As a result of the recent events associated with the SARS-CoV-2 around the world, there has been a need for research to strengthen health care. The use of masks or respirators has been an effective measure, reducing the risk of contagion caused by the spread of the virus in public places. Currently, there are masks that retain up to 99% of particles &gt, 0.3 microns, however, they lack an airtight seal with the face, leading to discomfort and poor protection in conditions without social distancing and areas without ventilation. The device proposed in this study includes a geometric design of static valves with convergent spirals and interior baffles that promotes enhanced aerodynamics with bidirectional flow. According to the analysis and CFD simulation of the proposed reusable, washable, and economic mask and valve system for breathing, coughing, and sneezing events, enhanced air exchange could be maintained, facilitating a higher inhalation flow through the side of the mask (62%) and a higher exhalation through the front of the mask (74%), thereby avoiding the recirculation of the flow to the interior of the mask. The inclusion of filters with KN95 characteristics in the inlets and outlets maintains velocities below 10 cm/s, reducing the probability of infection.

Labyrinth type weirs are structures that, due to their geometry, allow the discharge capacity to be increased compared to linear weirs. They are a favorable option for dam rehabilitation and upstream level control. There are various geometries of labyrinth type weirs such as trapezoidal, triangular or piano key as well as different types of crest profiles. Geometric changes are directly related to hydraulic efficiency. The objective of this work was to analyze the hydraulic performance of a labyrinth type weir, by simulating several geometries of the apex and of the crest using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). For model validation, experimental studies reported in the literature were used. Tests were carried out with trapezoidal and circular apexes and four types of crest profiles: sharp-crest, half-round, quarter-round and Waterways Experiment Station (WES). The results revealed a determination coefficient of R2 = 0.984 between experimental and simulated data with CFD, which provides statistical agreement. Simulations showed that circular-apex weirs are more efficient than those with trapezoidal apex, because they have a higher discharge coefficient (4.7% higher). Of the four types of crest profiles analyzed, the half-round and the WES crest profiles had similar discharge coefficients and were generally greater than those of the sharp-crest and the quarter-round (5.26% y 8.5% higher) profiles. Nevertheless, to facilitate a practical construction process, it is recommended to use a half-round profile. For hydraulic heads with HT/P > 0.5 ratio, all profiles generated sub-atmospheric pressures on the side walls of the weir. However, when HT/P ≈ 0.8 ratio the half-round crest generated a higher negative pressure (−1500 Pa), while the sharp-crest profile managed to increase the pressure by 76% (−350 Pa), but with a greater area of negative pressure. On the other hand, the WES profile reduced the negative-pressure area by 50%.

The current study describes the development of a Decision Support System (DSS) for estimating the optimal tank size of rainwater harvesting systems (RHS). Site-specific conditions are incorporated into the analysis, including those of the local rainfall regime and domestic demand for water, in addition to the desired level of confidence. The developed DSS is accessible via the interface of a web application, in which the annual efficiency of potential water savings by RHSs is analyzed by a simulation based on historical rainfall data and rainfall distribution. The developed DSS was applied and validated for nine case studies in the State of Mexico, considering three distinct rainfall regimes and catchments area. According to estimates, an annual potential water savings of up to 46,500 L per household may be achieved under average conditions.

The authors gratefully aknowledge the support received from Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia (CONACyT) through project no. 248327

International audience; River regime has been modified in several freshwater bodies around the world. This alteration has led to species loss, water pollution, higher or lesser economic profits, changes in magnitude, timing, duration and rate change of flow, among others. Thus, hydrologic alteration assessment allows evaluating the regime parameters so that stakeholders, decision-makers, and dams managers may take efficient actions to mitigate or rehabilitate riparian ecosystems. In the present study, Hydrologic Alteration Indexes on Rivers (IAHRIS, for its acronym in Spanish) and the Mexican standard approach were considered to evaluate 1150 gauged catchments in Mexico and come up with an alteration baseline for 67.03% of the country surface. The comparison may assist stakeholders to propose potential changes in the Mexican standard approach. Results reveal that 232 analyzed catchments can be considered as non-altered according to IAHRIS. In stark contrast, there are 281 non-altered catchments in Mexico in agreement with the official standard approach. Altered catchments are mainly impacted by minimum flow metrics and connectivity discharge. Additionally, the correlation between alteration indexes and 5 socio-economic variables was checked to identify which variables may greatly impact hydrologic alteration evolution or mitigation. From the five selected variables, the Human Development Index is significatively correlated to extreme minimum metrics (p = 0.94) while the Gross Domestic Product to extreme maximum metrics (p = 0.90). (c) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The use of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) permits the production of fish with a small amount of water and they are an alternative to the scarcity and pollution of water resources. The implementation of an annular settler made by concentric cylinder in an RAS tank allowed the optimal growth conditions of the fish and improves the removal of solids naturally with the presence of low water velocities in the sedimentation zone. The hydrodynamic analysis conducted in this study using computational fluid dynamics allowed the evaluation of different parameters for the geometric design of the settler and its effect on the velocity flow fields that directly affect the particle sedimentation process. Through the evaluation of different geometric configurations of the settler, the use of gratings in the perimeter of the settler with maximum height hr = 1/6h, width and separation of 0.5hr, for tank diameter (D) to water depth (h) ratios (D/h) less than 6 was established. These conditions produced velocities between 15−25 cm/s into the cultivation zone, optimal for fish growth. In addition, with the perimetral gratings, velocities less than 2 cm/s are generated inside the settler, situation that benefits the settling of particles and self-cleaning of the tank.

This study explored climate variability in the Upper Lerma River Basin, State of Mexico, Mexico, at three timescales: annual (1960–2010), monthly (1980–2010) and seasonal (1980–2010). The effects of monthly and seasonal (2003–2010) variability on rainfed maize crops were also evaluated. The variables of rainfall, maximum temperature, minimum temperature and number of hailstorms were interpolated to generate monthly spatial-temporal series. Over a period of 51 years, the climate of the region shows an accumulative annual increase of 131 mm in rainfall and an increase of 0.8 and 0.74 °C in maximum and minimum temperature, respectively. In conclusion, significant changes in the climate variables were found at the three analyzed timescales. Seasonal climate changes were found to coincide with the most vulnerable stage or flowering period of maize; particularly, a shift in the rainfall pattern generates a water deficit that impacts production yield. Hailstorms have increased in frequency, yet their phase shift results in a lesser impact to maize during its most critical stage of development.

Desertification is considered one of the most serious threats to arid, semiarid, and sub-humid environments. In this study, several remote sensing techniques were integrated for monitoring desertification in a semiarid region of the central Mexican plateau (state of Queretaro). Landsat TM images were used to compute the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Bare-Soil Index (BSI), and albedo (α). A change vector analysis (CVA) examined changes in the direction and magnitude of indicators during the 1993–2011 period in order to detect degradations or improvements in land conditions over a period of time. In addition, a desertification degree index (DDI) was applied based on the NDVI–α relationship. The results indicated that in the semiarid zone of the state of Queretaro, 48.3% of land use corresponds with agricultural areas; 2.7% of the area does not present any degree of desertification, while 49% presents the following degrees of desertification: 5.5% extreme, 10.9% severe, 18.9% moderat...

Distributed hydrological simulations aid to investigate the spatio-temporal behaviour of hydrological variables. However, data to feed hydrological models are not always available mainly due to lack of gauges or high retrieval fees. In this research, two 0.25- degree daily precipitation databases from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) were tested to simulate daily runoff in the basin of the main Upper Niger River tributary. Precipitation data are TRMM and TRMM Real Time (RT) 3B42V7. For runoff simulation, the grid-based hydrological model CEQUEAU was chosen. To estimate the evaporation in the model, temperatures were retrieved from the third-generation reanalysis ERA-Interim. From gauges and both TRMM data, monthly basin precipitation was calculated and compared to analyse the performance of TRMM to estimate rainfall. Runoff was simulated with each of these three precipitation products. In each case, the daily ERA-Interim temperatures were used. By Nash-Sutcliffe model Efficiency (NSE) and coefficient of determination (R2), model performance was evaluated through comparison of daily discharges with simulations for both calibration and validation periods. Results show correlation of TRMM by 0.95 and TRMMRT by 0.91 with gauge data. Both TRMM products combined with ERA-Interim temperature were found suitable for daily runoff modelling with NSE >0.835 and R2 >0.872.

Golf courses represent an agricultural activity wherein grass is intensively cultivated using large quantities of fertilizers. In the present study, nitrogen and phosphorus leaching was analyzed over two years in an experimental green under actual field conditions. The green contained four plots with distinct amendments (P1: hydrogel + peat, P2: peat, P3: hydrogel, and P4: no amendment). The applied doses of nitrogen ranged from 5 to 103 kg/ha and of phosphorus from 9 to 31 kg/ha. The irrigation level varied as a function of the rainfall regime and the water requirements of grass; overall water intake varied from 1550 to 2080 mm/year. Daily, leached water volume was calculated, and samples were taken for chemical analysis. Nitrogen and phosphorus mass balances were calculated for different periods based on the collected data. The plot amended with peat and hydrogel (P1) had reduced water flow; the percentage of drainage water varied from 8.4 to 29%. As a result, the dissolution and leaching of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) were the lowest in comparison to the other plots. According to the calculated mass balances, the lowest leaching values were also recorded in this plot (P1), ranging from 0.5 to 6.3% for N and from 0.8 to 20.9% for P. The plot without amendment (P4) drained the most water (25.9–44.8%) and leached the highest quantities of N and P, ranging from 9.1–45.7%, and 6–35.9%, respectively. The use of double amendments (hydrogel and peat) therefore represented optimal operating conditions for the green. Moreover, a relationship was found between increasing rates of fertilization and increasing percentages of N and P leaching as well as between higher irrigation levels and greater leaching.

The current study presents a method for automating the Köppen–Garcia climate classification using a GIS module. This method was then applied in a case study of the Lerma-Chapala-Santiago watershed to compare time series data on climate from 1960 to 1989, 1981 to 2010, and 1960 to 2010. The kappa statistic indicated that the climate classifications of the generated model had a perfect degree of agreement with those of a prior nonautomated study. The climate data from the period 1960 to 2010 were used to create a climate map for the watershed. Overall, the dominant climates were dry, semiarid, temperate, and semiwarm temperate with a summer rainfall pattern. A comparative analysis of climate behavior between 1960 and 1989 and between 1981 and 2010 showed changes in temperature and extreme temperatures over 13.6% and 9.9%, respectively, of the watershed; the presence or absence of mid-summer drought also changed over 0.8% of the watershed. The module developed herein can be used to classify climates across all of Mexico, and data of varying spatial resolution and coverage can be inputted to the module. Finally, this module can be used to automate the creation of climate maps or to update climate maps at diverse spatial-temporal scales.

This study highlights the advantage of satellite-derived rainfall products for hydrological modeling in regions of insufficient ground observations such as West African basins. Rainfall is the main input for hydrological models; however, gauge data are scarce or difficult to obtain. Fortunately, several precipitation products are available. In this study, Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks-Climate Data Record (PERSIANN-CDR) was analyzed. Daily discharges of three rivers of the Upper Senegal basin and one of the Upper Niger basin, as well as water levels of Manantali reservoir were simulated using PERSIANN-CDR as input to the CEQUEAU model. First, CEQUEAU was calibrated and validated using raw PERSIANN-CDR, and second, rainfalls were bias-corrected and the model was recalibrated. In both cases, ERA-Interim temperatures were used. Model performance was evaluated using Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), mean percent bias (MPBIAS), and coefficient of determination (R 2 ). With raw PERSIANN-CDR, most years show good performance with values of NSE > 0.8, R 2 > 0.90, and MPBIAS < 10%. However, bias-corrected PERSIANN-CDR did not improve the simulations. The findings of this study can be used to improve the design of dam projects such as the ongoing dam constructions on the three rivers of the Upper Senegal Basin.

This study presents the integration of a set of indices representing four desertification factors: vegetation, soil, climate and anthropic disruptors. The Desertification Trend Risk Index (DTRI) adds the mean slope of each factor in a time series, thereby classifying the risk of desertification according to four categories: low, medium, high and extreme. This index is based on Landsat images and population data from 1993 to 2011, as well as climatological data from 1980 to 2010. An analysis using a combination matrix is also presented to identify the driving forces in each category. In addition, a change vector analysis (CVA) is performed to evaluate changes in land use in the semi-arid highlands of central Mexico. The results show that the semi-arid areas of the municipalities of Queretaro, Santa Catarina, Corregidora, Apaseo el Alto and Celaya represent extreme alert regions. In general, anthropic activities such as changes in land use and deforestation are the primary driving forces in the desertification process in the region. Based on the results of this study, the use of the DTRI is recommended as a low-cost and easily applied tool to assess and monitor desertification.

A sustainable aquaculture production involves alternatives, as recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), in order to increase the water supply efficiency. This paper aims: a) to propose a method for dimensioning a RAS filled and additionally supplied with water from a rainwater harvesting systems (RHS) and; b) to evaluate the efficiency of the system based on the supply of rainwater from the RHS, the quality of water in the RAS, and the development of aquatic organisms. A pilot aquaculture farm for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) production was designed and dimensioned. On one hand, the RAS with a configuration based on a treatment tower provided acceptable values of pH, TAN, and alkalinity. The temperature was slightly above the recommended temperature but did not negatively impact trout development. On the other hand, the water use efficiency reached 178 L/kg of fish, instead of 210,000 L/kg in an open flow system for trout rearing. The RHS fulfilled the additional required water on the test period of the pilot farm and is expected to supply at least 92% on average during the useful life. Regarding the aquatic organisms’ development, the system allowed both a better Length/ weight ratio and a lesser mortality rate compared to previous studies of RAS. In contrast to other studies in the literature, the mathematical models for dimensioning the system were calculated as a function of the final biomass expected in the tank instead of the quantity of supplied feed. Therefore, this method confirmed the applicability of this alternative criterion for designing biofilters and aquaculture systems.