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How dietary transition changed land use in Mexico
José Tello1, Pedro P Garcillán2, Exequiel Ezcurra3
1Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR), Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, 23205, La Paz, BCS, Mexico. jcarrasco@pg.cibnor.com.
Ambio
|January 30, 2020
Summary
Mexico
Area of Science:
- Environmental science
- Nutritional science
- Agricultural science
Background:
- The nutrition transition towards Western diets is altering food systems globally.
- In Mexico, shifts in food consumption and production, especially animal source foods (ASF), impact land use.
- Livestock production intensification poses environmental challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the consumption and production of ASF in Mexico.
- To examine changes in agricultural land use from the mid-20th century to 2013.
- To discuss the environmental implications of livestock production and explore sustainable food options.
Main Methods:
- Utilized domestic and international data sources.
- Analyzed trends in animal source food consumption and production.
- Assessed changes in agricultural land use patterns.
Main Results:
- Increasing proportion of farmed land dedicated to domestic feed crop production.
- Growing demand for farmed feed extending beyond national borders.
- Intensification of livestock production linked to significant environmental threats.
Conclusions:
- Mexico's food system transformation, driven by Western diets, has led to significant land-use changes.
- Increased demand for animal source foods fuels agricultural land use for feed production, both domestically and internationally.
- Sustainable and healthy food system alternatives are crucial for mitigating environmental impact.
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