Summary
The present study was carried out through the analysis of research work carried out in the Chichón Volcano, which is located in the northern part of the State of Chiapas. The main objective focused on knowing the basic characterization that defines the process of ecological succession and evolution of the soil in reference.
It refers to a poorly developed soil prone to degradation by various factors (topographic, climatic and agricultural activities) that contribute to the deterioration of the main element on which the evolution of different biological processes depends, which will be addressed during the presentation of this essay..
Keywords: Ecological succession, biological processes, volcano.
Introduction
In order to carry out an analysis on a given environment, it is necessary to know the environmental, biotic, physical characteristics and therefore understand the close relationship these factors have on a given ecosystem. Strictly speaking, the soil is the basis for the development of every ecosystem as it is the main provider of the characteristics that each biological diversification that depends on it will preserve.
Edaphogenesis is the process of soil formation, which depends on various factors (climate, relief, microbial activity, among others), the biological activity on it modifies the structure of the original base, strengthening the structure of the soil that in a principle is incipient and creating superimposed layers called "horizons", with A being the superficial level and C the deepest level; which basically consists of the parent material. The soil structure is studied in relation to the development of these profiles.
In soils of volcanic origin, the phenomenon of superimposed structures or horizons in direct relation to each eruptive process that has taken place is appreciable, and from this a new edaphogenic process is generated, having magmatic material and ash as parent material.
In a similar way, the development of the biological process called “ecological succession” can be observed, which will start from an environment recently affected by an eruptive event, causing the loss of the native vegetation of the ecosystem, this leads to the environment being colonized by primary vegetation as bryophytes and liverworts, enriching the characteristics of the soil and subsequently favoring the presence of herbaceous and shrubs accordingly.
The original environment will then be closely conditioned on the alterations that the soil may suffer as a consequence of being colonized by species other than native ones, causing important impacts on its development, causing a degradation of it by plant replacement, an effect that can be increased if there is activity. of exploitation caused by man.
Approach
In order to achieve an understanding of the phenomenon of ecological succession in volcanic environments, the geomorphological, edaphological and botanical aspects of the study area that comprise the volcanic building of "El Chichón" were analyzed, taking into account that an eruptive process occurs that dates from 1982, on which the results of research obtained over a 3-year cycle in an area of devastation that best exemplifies the object of study were analyzed.
On the other hand, in Chiapas there is a problem regarding the management and use of soils, a situation clearly visible in typically volcanic soils, since after an eruptive event an important fertility occurs, causing the establishment of exploitation activities such as agriculture. and livestock, significantly impacting the development of the soil.
It is therefore even more complex to establish a planning system oriented to the implementation of strategies that results in the sustainable use of the resource in question.
Theoretical Conceptual Framework
According to Margalef (1978), succession is considered as the occupation of an area by organisms involved in an incessant process of action and reaction that, over time, leads to changes in both the environment and the community, both suffering a Ongoing reciprocal influence and adjustment. In ecology, succession then occupies a position similar to that of evolution in general biology. This concept was clearly noticeable during the document review process, finding records that indicate that said succession process has been subjected to adjustments over time, as stated by Estrada (2008) and Hernández (2008) on the geomorphological and botanical study respectively carried out on the study area.
For his part, Ramos H. (2002), refers to the enormous environmental, cultural and social changes associated with an eruptive event of great magnitude, as well as the fact that the populations that are forced to emigrate after a phenomenon of this type, they tend to return shortly after; in the case of the Chichón, there is talk of numerous environmental effects. Among the most significant changes in a radius of 10 km due to the eruption, the damages were total, the complete disappearance of flora and fauna, loss of crops, changes in the topography, the muddy condition of the rivers, causing the disappearance of fauna. aquatic and changing the course of the tributaries, modification of local, regional and less global climates, burying 2,000 people under the products of pyroclastic flows,as well as producing a displacement of more than 20,000 people.
Ramos H. (2002), cites the registry of typical vegetation of high and medium evergreen forests before the eruptive process of 1982, which was completely destroyed by the products of the eruption that buried and calcined all kinds of life on this complex, which is located at 17º 72´ N and 93º 14´W in the municipality of Francisco León, about 350 kilometers from the Mesoamerican trench.
Hernández (2008) describes, for his part, the presence of plant cover and exhibits a floristic list that generates a discrepancy on the native community existing before the eruptive process, together with the appearance of Pinus maximinoi, which suggests a development or succession status hypothetically oriented to a climax community different from the original.
We can then speak of an event that led to the appearance of the object of study of ecological succession linked to edaphogenesis, that is, a coevolution that has as a conditioning variable the anthropic impact on the development of both processes, which could be observed during the A monographic review by Hernández (2008), which cites the presence of the impact caused by human activity of priority consumption in the towns surrounding the volcanic building, obeying this to an important but transitory fertility.
Consequently, it is interesting to present a general panorama of this interrelation 33 years after the last eruptive process in order to establish measures that propose the conservation and / or conservation of soils in this site.
Methodology
This work was carried out by means of the bibliographic analysis and of two research projects over a period of 3 years in the Chichón volcano, where periodic visits were made in the study area, these investigations were carried out in two stages: the first consisted of the taking samples corresponding to the soil and plant species, edaphic determinations in situ and in the laboratory, as well as identification of the floristic material.
The edaphic sampling was carried out on four regions (base of the volcano, low slopes, high slopes and ravines) designated in this way based on the poor accessibility on specific sites.
Edaphic profiles were made in the sampling areas, from which the type of horizon to which they belong was obtained, as well as main determinations such as:
- Presence of C through the Walkley & Black method (laboratory) Allophane determination through the Fieldes and Perrot method (in situ and laboratory) pH (in the field and laboratory) Percentage of Ca and Mg (Spectrometry)
Vegetal sampling, for its part, was taken by means of quadrants that included a polygon of 5 X 5 meters, taking into account the structures that comprise the slopes of the volcano, crater and ravines of the site in direct consideration of the sites previously analyzed by photointerpretation of geomorphological features, which determined variability of density and vegetation cover, corroborated these aspects in a visible way in the field.
It is important to mention that the identification of the collected plant material was carried out by Estrada and Hernández in support of the Herbarium of the Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR) in the city of San Cristóbal de las Casas.
The second stage included the information analysis work, where the correlations between the soil degradation processes and the data obtained from the classification of the plant species were established in order to establish a probable orientation of the respective edaphic and ecological development.
Results
According to the bibliographic record and geomorphological analysis, volcanic activity is one of the most spectacular and violent in the dynamics of the earth, a situation clearly noticeable during the last eruptive event of Chichón, where the degree of impact included the coverage area. of 4 municipalities in the first instance; Ostuacán, Pichucalco, Chapultenango and Francisco León, all located on the state of Chiapas in Mexico.
The last eruptive event in 1982 contributed a large amount of volcanic material, of which most of the volume thrown consists of young material and only 4% corresponds to pre-existing material according to Hernández (2008), which basically consists of andesitic material with a high content of hornblende and allophane, which provides an overview of the evolution of the soil studied.
During the geomorphological analysis it could be observed that the building's relief has not undergone too many modifications as a result of its activity, however it is clearly visible that there is an absence of the dome due to the last event, where the expelled material consisting of expulsion of pyroclastic flows, avalanches of ash and incandescent rocks were displaced through the slopes, causing very marked cracks that today can be perceived as ravines that provide a drainage network of radial composition, over which a notable disparity of organization and plant development can be appreciated, The same as Estrada (2008) expresses in the basic characterization analysis.
Nowadays, the weathering conditions on this area are delimited due to rainfall (Warm - Humid with abundant rains in summer) according to Koeppen's classification, which causes a constant drag of elements given the marked relief and the low water retention, causing an incipient development in a very marked way, conditioning the presence of herbaceous plants of a primary nature basically on herbaceous species with the exception of Pinus maximinoi, which seems to distort the landscape.
Among the species found in the classified material, the presence in a greater number of those described below stands out:
| Predominant plant sampling | ||
| Family | Gender | Species |
| Pinaceae | Pinus | Maximinoi |
| Gleicheniaceae | Sticherus | Bifidus |
| Lycopodiaceae | Lycopodium | cernuum |
| Poaceae | Undetermined | Undetermined |
| Bromeliaceae | Pitcarnia | sp |
In accordance with the above, it is possible to determine that the plant species found correspond to a degree of primary succession in relation to the development of the soil.
The presence of Pinus maximinoi can be observed in a notorious way, which shows a tendency towards the preference of soils of acid orientation, this is due to the fact that according to the determination of Ca and Mg it is found on the layers underlying the C horizon, a situation that generates little availability of these elements towards the surface.
On the other hand, the presence of allophane could be verified in practically all the soil samplings carried out (basal structure, gullies or cracks, low and high slopes), having a higher concentration on the A horizon in all cases, a situation that, although it deduces a An important contribution of Carbon is also usually present in acidic environments with a porous and poorly consolidated structure.
In addition to all the previous characteristics, we can add the loss of nutrients in the soil given the use of this resource for activities that refer to agriculture and monoculture practices with frequent use of agrochemicals with high urea and ammonia content, largely given the situation economic and the need of the inhabitants of neighboring towns in order to obtain productivity in reduced times, this tends to increase in direct relation to the demographic increase, generating more settlements as a result.
The loss of soils, then, is inevitable due to the aforementioned impact factors, which leads to a high degree of continuous erosion and consequently the loss or deterioration of ecosystems and a degree of ecological succession in most of the surface..
Conclusions
The participation of the competent authorities is a priority in order to establish an awareness program on the adequate use of the soil for the purposes of sustainable use of the same, since current livelihood practices and the nature of the same cause a significant negative impact that entails a deterioration in accelerated times.
Local and / or municipal authorities, for their part, must necessarily become managers or advisers on the various practices on which the current government offers the implementation of sustainable projects within a legal framework, such as the subsidies generated by programs such as Fomento a conservation and sustainable use of wildlife through the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), which describes within its guidelines, the granting of resources that generate jobs in an equitable manner to participants in projects that contribute to the conservation and / or use of Wildlife in a responsible manner under the legal terms of the General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection, as well as the General Law of Wildlife.
In parallel, the obtaining of resources can be managed through productive projects such as those offered by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA), which promote participation in agrarian nuclei through programs such as the Fund for Support for Productive Projects in Agrarian Centers (FAPPA) and the Support Program for the Productivity of Women Entrepreneurs (PROMETE) on which partnerships for economic development are established with countless activities that can focus on sustainable and / or commercial development.
Similarly, the implementation of seed stands of timber species on specific areas previously analyzed by means of an environmental impact study may involve controlled forest use and in turn may generate benefits in the medium and long term, taking into consideration that they will serve as future suppliers of specimen seeds undergoing care during their growth, which generates an attractive consumer interest.
Finally, we can mention the high potential of generating in this area an ecotourism system through which various governmental sectors of the different orders can be directed in order to generate a different use from the scientific, social interest and promoter of a culture of conservation just as it happens in countries like Costa Rica and Iceland.
Thanks
BIBLIOGRAPHY
RAMOS HERNÁNDEZ, SG (2007). “The environmental changes of the Chichón volcano, 25 years after its eruption”, Chichón Volcano: twenty-five years later. Commemorative conference. Special publication number 6. Institute of Geology, UNAM, Mexico.
MARGALEF, R. (1978). Perspectives of ecological theory. Barcelona: EDITORIAL BLUME.
ESTRADA TEVERA, D. (2008). The use of photointerpretation as a tool for characterizing the basic geomorphology of the Chichón volcano. Final career project. Chiapas. Chiapas University of Sciences and Arts.
HERNÁNDEZ MORALES, JF (2008). Documentary analysis, Effect of human activity on soil dynamics in the Chichón volcano. Final career project. Chiapas. Chiapas University of Sciences and Arts.
RAMOS HERNÁNDEZ, SG (2002). "Chichón Volcano, environmental aspects, 20 years after its eruption", El Chichón 1982-2002. XII National Congress of Geochemistry, p. 416 -421.
Collaborator data:
Biologist Daniel Estrada Tevera, currently working in the Health sector of Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, is pursuing a master's degree in quality at the Universidad Maya, Campus Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Nutritionist Gabriela de los Ángeles Escobar Gumeta, currently working in the State Regime of Social Protection in Health of Chiapas, is pursuing a master's degree in quality at the Maya University, Tuxtla Gutiérrez Campus.
LAE Georgina Grajales Guillén, currently working at Volkswagen de México, is pursuing a master's degree in quality at the Maya University, Tuxtla Gutiérrez Campus.
Note: in case of requiring photographs and / or research work carried out by Biologists Estrada and Hernández in the mentioned Volcano, these may be sent to the interested parties, provided that they have the respective authorization.
