Abstract Background: The identification of land-uses (e.g., crop types) that generate the loss of different vegetation types, degradation trends, and biodiversity loss has been poorly explored in most studies on land-use dynamics in agricultural landscapes. Questions: What areas are occupied by the different land-use types and vegetation? What are the permanence, rate of change, and loss rate of the different land-use types and vegetation? What kind of land-uses and vegetation is driving the observed changes? Study area and dates: The Soconusco region of Chiapas, Mexico. Analysis period, 2000-2017. Methods: Land-use cover maps were created using Google Earth images and employing the image interpretation method and field verification. Matrixes of permanence and transition were created, and relative change rates and loss area were calculated for the different land-uses types and vegetation. Results: Agricultural activity and natural vegetation were the categories with the largest surface and permanence. The agricultural activity showed the highest annual rates of gain, and it was promoted by the expansion of economically important crops, mainly mango and the African oil palm. Natural vegetation had the highest annual loss rate, mainly for tular and secondary vegetation that changed to agricultural areas. Conclusions: Considering the limited secondary forest formation and the high permanence and increment of agricultural areas, it is important to consider actions that diversify these agricultural landscapes.

Resumen Antecedentes: La identificación de los usos de suelo particulares (e.g., tipo de cultivo) que generan la pérdida de los diferentes tipos de vegetación, las tendencias de degradación y la pérdida de biodiversidad ha sido limitadamente explorada en estudios sobre dinámica del uso de suelo en paisajes agropecuarios. Preguntas: ¿Cuáles son las superficies ocupadas por los diferentes usos de suelo y vegetación? ¿cuál es la permanencia, tasa de cambio y tasa de pérdida de los diferentes usos de suelo y vegetación? ¿qué usos de suelo dirigen los cambios observados? Área de estudio y fechas: Soconusco, Chiapas, México. Período: 2000-2017. Métodos: Se usaron imágenes de Google Earth, el método de fotointerpretación y la verificación en campo para generar mapas de cambio de uso de suelo y vegetación. Se crearon matrices de permanencia/transición y se calcularon tasas de cambio relativo y de pérdida de superficie para los diferentes usos de suelo y vegetación. Resultados: La zona de actividad agropecuaria y la vegetación natural fueron las categorías con mayor superficie y permanencia. La mayor tasa de ganancia anual de superficie se observó en la zona de actividad agropecuaria, influenciada por el incremento de cultivos de importancia económica (mango y palma africana). La mayor tasa de pérdida anual se registró en la vegetación natural, y fue dirigida principalmente por la transición de tular y de vegetación secundaria hacia zonas agropecuarias. Conclusiones: Ante la limitada formación de vegetación secundaria y la alta permanencia/incremento de zonas agropecuarias, es importante considerar acciones que diversifiquen estos paisajes agropecuarios.

Abstract Freedom of information is an autonomous right different from freedom of speech. It is not a facet or way of exercising the latter, nor is it a species of the genus freedom of speech as has been suggested by certain minority doctrine and jurisprudence. This understanding of the right to freedom of information is dominant today both in doctrine and the jurisprudence of courts in Spain. We believe that serves as an example and drives a global trend that seeks to enshrine freedom of information autonomously in the legal systems of each country which we promote with this paper. The autonomy of freedom of information as a right is based on its institutional function and not on its dimension of individual guarantee, without prejudice to the fact that there must be a balanced relationship between both dimensions. Understanding freedom of information as an autonomous right has at least three positive consequences that make it desirable: it raises the formation of a vigorous and informed public opinion to the higher level of a “protected legal asset”; it gives it a relative preference over other rights; and it facilitates the enshrinement, promotion and protection of the right of access to public information.

Resumen La libertad de información es un derecho autónomo y diferente de la libertad de expresión. No se trata de una faceta o forma de ejercer esta última, ni de una especie del género libertad de expresión como ha planteado cierta doctrina y jurisprudencia hoy minoritaria. Esta forma de entender la libertad de información es actualmente adoptada tanto en la doctrina como en la jurisprudencia mayoritaria de España. Ello, creemos sirve de ejemplo e impulsa una tendencia mundial que busca consagrar de forma autónoma la libertad de información en los ordenamientos jurídicos de cada país y que a través de este artículo buscamos impulsar. La consagración de la libertad de información como derecho autónomo se fundamenta en su función institucional y no en su dimensión de garantía individual, sin perjuicio de que debe existir una relación balanceada entre ambas dimensiones. La referida consagración tiene al menos tres consecuencias positivas que la hacen deseable: eleva la formación de una opinión pública vigorosa e informada a la calidad de “bien jurídico protegido”; le da preferencia relativa frente a otros derechos; y facilita la consagración, promoción y protección del derecho de acceso a la información pública.

ABSTRACT: The majority of the constitutional autonomous organs are not subject to the general transparency regime. Some argue that they could not be audited by bodies whose autonomy has only been enshrined by law, as is the case of the Transparency Council. We argue that the nature of the rule that enshrines autonomy does not justify privileges that hinder public scrutiny and the exercise of the right of access to information that should apply to all State bodies. This is ratified by the dominant trend in comparative law. From a finalist approach of the Law, we postulate the incorporation of such organs (including the Congress and the Judiciary) to the general transparency regime, being able to be audited by the Transparency Council without affecting their essential functions. For that purpose, we propose to introduce an indication to the current bill that amends the Access to Public Information Law. Additionally, we support the constitutional recognition of the aforementioned council in the ongoing constitutional process, if its current legal status is the only obstacle some people consider necessary to progress in the proposed direction.

RESUMEN: La mayoría de los órganos autónomos constitucionales no se encuentran sometidos al régimen general de transparencia. Algunos sostienen que no podrían ser fiscalizados por órganos cuya autonomía sólo ha sido consagrada por ley, como es el caso del Consejo para la Transparencia. Sostenemos que la naturaleza de la norma que consagra la autonomía no justifica privilegios que dificulten el escrutinio público y el ejercicio del derecho de acceso a la información que deben aplicar respecto de todos los órganos del Estado. Lo anterior, es ratificado por la tendencia dominante en el derecho comparado. Por tal motivo, postulamos, desde una aproximación finalista del Derecho, la incorporación de estos órganos (incluyendo al Congreso y al Poder Judicial) al régimen general de transparencia, pudiendo ser fiscalizados por dicho consejo sin afectar sus funciones esenciales. Para ello, proponemos introducir una indicación al actual proyecto de ley que modifica la Ley de Acceso a la Información Pública. Adicionalmente, sostenemos nuestra conformidad con el reconocimiento constitucional al referido consejo en el proceso constitucional en curso, si para algunos su actual rango legal es el único obstáculo para avanzar en el sentido propuesto.

Resumen En las últimas décadas hemos observado un creciente protagonismo de los actores judiciales en materia interpretativa, especialmente en aquellas vinculadas a conceptos indeterminados propios del derecho internacional, y más particularmente, de los derechos fundamentales. El trabajo postula que este mayor activismo judicial no puede ser apreciado ni justificado con iguales criterios en asuntos tan distintos como los conflictos entre derechos constitucionales (que admiten una mayor construcción judicial) o los temas comerciales y penales (en los que el apego a la norma y a la seguridad jurídica ofrecida debe ser mayor). Para justificar lo anterior, analiza los oscilantes criterios que han tenido los paneles arbitrales del Centro Internacional de Arreglo de Diferencias relativas a Inversiones (Ciadi) en la evaluación del criterio central del sistema y que da el acceso a su jurisdicción: la inversión extranjera. A partir de ello, señala una serie de cuidados y precauciones que el sistema podría adoptar para mejorar sus estándares y prácticas jurídicas y hace un análisis basado en el rol y los criterios exigibles a los distintos tribunales en un sistema de justicia global.

Abstract During the last decades we have seen a growing prominence by the judicial actors in interpretative issues, particularly in those related to indeterminate concepts proper to the international law and, even more particularly, to the fundamental rights. This work proposes that such growing judicial activism cannot be appreciated or justified with the same criteria as other issues so dissimilar like the conflicts between constitutional rights (which allow for a greater judicial construct) or the business and criminal cases (when the adherence to the rules and the legal security is expected to be higher). To justify the foregoing, this work examines the fluctuating criteria drawn upon by the arbitration panels in the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) when assessing the system core criterion providing the access to its jurisdiction: the foreign investments. Based on the foregoing, a series of measures and precautions are indicated, which could be adopted to enhance the legal practices and standards. Finally, this work includes an analysis of the role and the criteria that are to be required to the different courts in a global justice system.

The composition and seasonal occurrence of sandflies were investigated in coffee agroecosystems in the Soconusco region of Chiapas, Mexico. Insect sampling was performed on three plantations located at different altitudes: Finca Guadalupe Zajú [1,000 m above sea level (a.s.l.)], Finca Argovia (613 m a.s.l.) and Teotihuacán del Valle (429 m a.s.l.). Sandflies were sampled monthly from August 2007-July 2008 using three sampling methods: Shannon traps, CDC miniature light traps and Disney traps. Sampling was conducted for 3 h during three consecutive nights, beginning at sunset. A total of 4,387 sandflies were collected during the course of the study: 2,718 individuals in Finca Guadalupe Zajú, 605 in Finca Argovia and 1,064 in Teotihuacán del Valle. The Shannon traps captured 94.3% of the total sandflies, while the CDC light traps and Disney traps captured 4.9% and 0.8%, respectively. More females than males were collected at all sites. While the number of sandflies captured was positively correlated with temperature and relative humidity, a negative correlation was observed between sandfly numbers and rainfall. Five species of sandflies were captured: Lutzomyia cruciata , Lutzomyia texana , Lutzomyia ovallesi , Lutzomyia cratifer / undulata and Brumptomyia sp. Lu. cruciata , constituting 98.8% of the total, was the most abundant species. None of the captured sandflies was infected with Leishmaniaspp.

Phymastichus coffea LaSalle is an African endoparasitoid of adults of the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) that was introduced into Mexico for biological control purposes. The objective of this study was to investigate the oviposition behavior of P. coffea on its host under laboratory conditions. The results indicate that P. coffea females exhibited 12 behavioral acts during and after oviposition, such as, walking, cleaning, flying, surface landing, resting, host landing, host antennation, touching the host with forelegs, host recognition, walking on the host, oviposition and cleaning after oviposition. The sequence of each behavior is described in an ethogram.

Triatoma dimidiata (Latreille) is considered to be one of the primary vectors of Chagas disease in Southern Mexico and Central America. The objective of the present study was to obtain ecological information on T. dimidiata in two rural communities of Campeche, Mexico, where the vector is poorly studied. Our work consisted of monthly samplings carried out during one-year time at three levels: sylvatic, peridomestic and intradomestic, in order to estimate the population abundance of this species and its rate of infection with Trypanosoma cruzi. Triatoma dimidiata was the unique vector of this disease collected in San Juan Bautista Sakcabchen (SJBS) and Crucero San Luis (CSL). The total of 145 individuals were captured in SJBS; from these, 26.9%, 20% and 53.1% were collected in the sylvatic, peridomestic and intradomestic area, respectively. In CSL captures yielded 108 individuals: 40.7% in the sylvatic area, 20.4% peridomestic and 38.9% intradomestic. We found no correlation between climatic variables and population abundance of T. dimidiata. Dataset obtained suggests that individuals from the sylvatic area exhibit a high rate of natural infection by T. cruzi, with monthly percentages up to 61.5% for SJBS and 50% for CSL. At the peri and intradomestic level, the reservoirs apparently play an important role in the transmission, as the seroprevalence in dogs was 61.5% y 65.4%, for SJBS y CSL, respectively. Based on these findings, it was concluded that inhabitants of both communities are at a high risk of Chagas disease infection.

The coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is the most important coffee pest worldwide. Beauveria bassiana is a generalist entomopathogenic fungus widely used by coffee farmers to control this pest and Phymastichus coffea LaSalle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is an African endoparasitoid of H. hampei adults, recently imported to several Latin American and Caribbean countries to aid in the coffee berry borer control. The objective of this study was to determine if B. bassiana is detrimental to P. coffea. The susceptibility of the parasitoid was evaluated in terms of adult survivorship, mean lethal concentration (LC50), mean lethal time (LT50), reproduction and immature mortality. The main effect of the fungus resulted in reduction of adult longevity and mortality of 100% for immature stages of this parasitoid. The LC50 for adults was 0.11% equivalent to 9.53 x 10(7) conidia/ml of B. bassiana and a LT50 of 29.4h, equivalent to reduction of 22% of its normal longevity as an adult. P. coffea was capable of disseminating spores of B. bassiana to non-infected H. hampei adults, which could indirectly cause the death of its own progeny. These results could be valuable when considering the use of both organisms in the field, especially in an integrated pest management program.

La broca del café, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), es la plaga mas importante del cultivo de café en el mundo. Beauveria bassiana es un hongo entomopatógeno generalista ampliamente utilizado por los productores de café para controlar a H. hampei. Phymastichus coffea LaSalle es un endoparasitoide africano de adultos de la broca, recién importado a varios países de Latinoamérica y del Caribe para el control de esta plaga. En el presente estudio se realizaron bioensayos de laboratorio con el objetivo de determinar si B. bassiana es detrimental para el parasitoide P. coffea. La susceptibilidad del parasitoide fue evaluada en términos de supervivencia de adultos, concentración letal media (CL50), tiempo letal medio (TL50), reproducción y mortalidad de su progenie. El principal efecto del hongo resultó en la disminución de la longevidad de los adultos y en la mortalidad del 100% de los inmaduros del parasitoide. La CL50 para adultos de P. coffea fue de 0.11% equivalente a 9.53 x 10(7) conidias/ml de B. bassiana y una TL50 de 29.4h, equivalente a la reducción del 22% de su longevidad normal como adulto. P. coffea fue capaz de transmitir esporas de B. bassiana a brocas no infectadas con el hongo y originar indirectamente la muerte de su progenie. Este trabajo servirá de referencia cuando se contemple el empleo de ambos organismos a nivel de campo, especialmente dentro de un plan de manejo integral de la plaga.