WA8 Global Perspectives: Pesticide Risk Assessment in Developing Countries
A105 & A106
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Wednesday
() Pesticide impacts in Pacific coastal areas of Mexico.
Betancourt-Lozano, M.1, Garcia de la Parra, L. M.1, Garcia-Hernandez, J.2, Gonzalez-Farias, F.3, 1 Centro de Investigacion en Alimentacion y Desarrollo, Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico2 Centro de Investigacion en Alimentacion y Desarrollo, Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico3 Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
ABSTRACT- Agrochemicals use in Mexico dates from the XIX century, although its intensification begun during the 40's aimed at increasing crop production. Lately, a considerable increase was observed during the 90's as consequence of the NAFTA. The Pacific coast of Mexico includes two large zoogeographical regions: the Neartic region in the north, with a predominant arid-temperate climate, and the Neotropical region, which presents a tropical-humid climate. This climate variability shapes the distribution and characteristics of agroecosystems along the coast, which, in general, utilizes underground water, irrigation and higher pesticide inputs in the northern region, compared with a seasonal semi-intensive agriculture in the southern region. The information regarding pesticide use is, however, frequently restricted, indicating that this issue deserves careful examination aimed at establishing risk assessment programs. The work presented here describes the state of the knowledge, as well as the information needs upon use, transport, fate and effects of pesticides along the different agroecosystems in the Pacific coastal areas of Mexico. Especial emphasis will be placed on the ultimate coastal receptors represented by 105 coastal lagoons as 43 of them are considered Important Bird Areas ("AICAs"), 13 are RAMSAR sites, along 3 Important Marine Areas and 10 Protected Natural Areas.
Key words: Mexico, pesticides, coastal