Community Perception and Adaptation to Climate Change in Coastal Areas of Mexico

Mireille Escudero,Edgar Mendoza

doi:10.3390/w13182483

Abstract

Climate change adaptation is an increasingly important topic addressed in the face of the current and expected future impacts by climate change that the social, economic and ecological systems are experiencing worldwide. Despite the advances reported in the literature, adaptation to climate change is still considered a challenge to move from planning to the practical implementation of successful interventions. In this regard, identifying international key barriers, exchanges of experiences and lessons learned may facilitate the progress of the coasts’ sustainable and resilient future. The coast of Mexico is an excellent study area. High population densities occur along the coastal zone, whose main economic activity is related to primary and tertiary sectors. Additionally, a great diversity of coastal ecosystems exists, which are threatened by anthropogenic and hydrometeorological impacts. Under these circumstances, the population is becoming aware of the urgent need to adapt to the consequences of climate change. In this sense, this paper reviews research contributions concerning population perception to climate change and adaptation strategies in Mexico’s coastal zone. The findings highlight critical institutional difficulties and social barriers that have impeded the effective implementation of adaptation strategies to climate change in Mexico and consider steps to address them. However, adaptation strategies that show the prevention culture of some coastal communities have been found and also results of successful projects carried out, especially on mangrove forest and coral reef restoration, which are of essential importance to consider to progress on the path of a successful adaptation to climate change in Mexico.

Highlights

In the past few decades, an increasing number of studies have addressed the need for adequate adaptation responses to climate change given the substantial losses and growing impacts in coastal areas across the world [1,2,3]
Adapting to climate change means taking measures to prepare for both the current effects of climate change and the expected future impacts, which are put into practice through three main goals: (1) increasing adaptive capacity, i.e., the ability to adjust effectively to changes, managing or reducing risks; (2) increasing resilience, i.e., the capacity of a system to withstand adversity and continue operating when faced to stress or (3) reducing vulnerability, i.e., the susceptibility of a system to damage when exposed to an external hazard [11]
A greater awareness of climate change impacts and, the urgent need for action has been detected in some regions of Mexico where local livelihoods, subsistence or health of the population were directly affected by climate change

Summary

Introduction

In the past few decades, an increasing number of studies have addressed the need for adequate adaptation responses to climate change given the substantial losses and growing impacts in coastal areas across the world [1,2,3]. Adaptation initiatives comprise multiple systems vulnerable to climate change and sea-level rise, including agriculture, coasts, the environment and urban areas [11]. Among the coastal ecosystems threatened by the effects of climate change, mangroves are declining globally at a faster rate than tropical forests and coral reefs [12]. ‘Protect’ strategies include hard engineering defenses (e.g., breakwaters), soft engineering interventions (e.g., beach nourishment) and ecosystem-based solutions (e.g., mangrove conservation/restoration). Non-structural mitigation options, such as land-use regulations or information systems (e.g., flood hazard mapping or emergency preparedness programs), are included in the ‘Accomodate’ options category. The ‘Retreat’ option includes realignment (e.g., shoreline building setbacks, soft tolerant crops or land-use change) [13]. Several studies highlight the importance of conserving and restoring coastal ecosystems such as mangrove forests and coral reefs. Accommodation space is an essential requirement to ensure dune zone mobility and development and the functioning of foredune morphologies under sea-level rise [18]

Methods

Results

Conclusion