Mammillaria pectinifera is an endemic, short-globose cactus species, included in the IUCN list as a threatened species with only 18 remaining populations in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley in central Mexico. We evaluated the population genetic diversity and structure, connectivity, recent bottlenecks and population size, using nuclear microsatellites. M. pectinifera showed high genetic diversity but some evidence of heterozygote deficiency (FIS), recent bottlenecks in some populations and reductions in population size. Also, we found low population genetic differentiation and high values of connectivity for M. pectinifera, as the result of historical events of gene flow through pollen and seed dispersal. M. pectinifera occurs in sites with some degree of disturbance leading to the isolation of its populations and decreasing the levels of gene flow among them. Excessive deforestation also changes the original vegetation damaging the natural habitats. This species will become extinct if it is not properly preserved. Furthermore, this species has some ecological features that make them more vulnerable to disturbance such as a very low growth rates and long life cycles. We suggest in situ conservation to prevent the decrease of population sizes and loss of genetic diversity in the natural protected areas such as the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve. In addition, a long-term ex situ conservation program is need to construct seed banks, and optimize seed germination and plant establishment protocols that restore disturbed habitats. Furthermore, creating a supply of living plants for trade is critical to avoid further extraction of plants from nature.

México es el país con la mayor diversidad de especies de Quercus (encinos orobles) en el mundo. La perturbación de los bosques donde se encuentran ha ocasionado el deterioro de la salud forestal, en la que están implicados tanto agentes bióticos como abióticos. En varias entidades de México, los encinares han sido objeto de estudio desde un enfoque fitopatológico por presentar la sintomatología reconocida como declinamiento. Con el fin de atraer la atención hacia esta problemática, se llevó a cabo una revisión de literatura sobre el estado del arte en materia de salud. Se concluye que en México el entendimiento de la etiología del declinamiento y muerte del encino aún es incipiente, por lo que se requieren estudios a nivel local, principalmente. La colaboración entre los diferentes actores que tienen a su cargo el cuidado, estudio y manejo de los bosques es fundamental, de otra manera, enfrentaremos la perturbación en las interacciones bióticas, riesgos de pérdida de la riqueza de especies de encinos a nivel local, detrimento del valor comercial de los recursos maderables y efectos directos e indirectos sobre las comunidades humanas. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54167/tch.v13i1.325

Technology advances progressively at a faster speed, promoting development in practically all areas of human knowledge. In theforestry field, technology has come to lighten and make field work more efficient. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles is having afavorable impact on the studies in the estructure of plant communities, inventory development and forest management, among otheraspects. It is necessary to integrate technologies for information and analysis of massive data, focused on forest systems to makeproposals for the use, conservation and recovery of timber areas. In our country, these technologies are already being used, it isnecessary to train professionals who have all the skills to handle them. Therefore, it is proposed to integrate this knowledge in asubject of the curriculum of the study plans of the secondary and higher levels of education. The proposal is approached from apractical point of view, with the use of one of the most accessible drones on the market. The Mavic 2 Pro DJL meets the minimumnecessary to start data collection, essential for Forestry 4.0. The experience raised may be useful for students and professionals.