Opportunities for advancing carbon cycle science in Mexico: toward a continental scale understanding

Abstract

► Global environmental issues should be addressed through international collaborations. ► We discuss the state-of-the-art of carbon cycle science (CCS) in Mexico. ► We discuss existing relationships among governmental and funding entities for CCS. ► We synthetize opportunities and challenges for advancing land and ocean CCS in Mexico. ► A complete understanding of North American carbon dynamics must include Mexico. Solutions to current global environmental problems throughout fundamental ecological understandings are only reached through international programmatic and scientific collaborations. Both scientists and policymakers recognize the importance of the role of carbon cycle science (CCS) in North America, however regional ecological studies in North America often do not include the role of Mexico. Given the sharp ecological, climatic and socioeconomic differences among the three countries conforming North America it is fundamental to incorporate Mexico's unique contributions toward regional CCS. We provide a synthesis of opportunities and challenges for advancing land and ocean research in Mexico in order to move toward a complete North American continental scale CCS. First, we provide the socio-ecological context of Mexico relevant to CCS. Second, we compare the existing relationships among scientific/governmental entities and funding agencies that contribute to CCS in the United States and Mexico. Third, we discuss Mexico's state-of-the-art CCS, and synthesize its recent advances with emphasis on land– and ocean–atmosphere interactions. We highlight continental-scale opportunities toward a tri-national carbon research, infrastructure, and education network.