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24 pages, 5108 KB

Open AccessArticle

Interaction between Tourism Carrying Capacity and Coastal Squeeze in Mazatlan, Mexico

by Pedro Aguilar, Edgar Mendoza and Rodolfo Silva

Land 2021, 10(9), 900; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090900 - 26 Aug 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4693

While many coastal areas are affected by coastal squeeze, quantitative estimations of this phenomenon are still limited. Ambiguity concerning the degree of coastal squeeze, combined with a lack of knowledge on its interaction with human activities may lead to inadequate and unsuccessful management responses. The objective of the present research was to quantify the degree of coastal squeeze on the highly urbanized coast of Mazatlan, Mexico, and to investigate the relationship between the development of tourism and coastal squeeze from various time perspectives. The Drivers, Exchanges, States of the environment, Consequences, and Responses (DESCR) framework was applied to identify the chronic, negative consequences of dense tourism in the area, together with the assessment of coastal squeeze. A Tourism Load Capacity (TLC) estimation was made and correlated with the DESCR results, showing that coastal squeeze is inversely correlated with tourism load in Mazatlan. The medium-intensity coastal squeeze currently experienced in Mazatlan requires interventions to avoid severe degradation of the ecosystem on which the local tourism industry relies, for which immediate, long-term, and administrative recommendations are given. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Modifications and Impacts on Coastal Areas)

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21 pages, 62049 KB

Open AccessReview

Understanding the Dynamics of a Coastal Lagoon: Drivers, Exchanges, State of the Environment, Consequences and Responses

by Samantha Chacón Abarca, Valeria Chávez, Rodolfo Silva, M. Luisa Martínez and Giorgio Anfuso

Geosciences 2021, 11(8), 301; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences11080301 - 21 Jul 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4992

Abstract

At present, many coastal ecosystems worldwide are highly affected by anthropic activities. La Mancha lagoon, in the state of Veracruz, Mexico, is an important ecosystem due to the wide array of ecosystem services that it provides. In this paper, an analysis of the environmental balances of the lagoon is outlined, using the Drivers, Exchanges, State of the Environment, Consequences and Responses (DESCR) tool. The methodological framework considers the interrelationships between the natural systems and the forces of change that alter the performance of the natural environment, in order to provide an overview of actions that may reduce negative consequences. The study area has been impacted by anthropic development, such as changes in land use for agricultural and livestock activities, loss of mangroves due to logging and modifications, carried out by local fishermen, to the natural hydrodynamics of the lagoon that alter the salinity and affect the ecosystem dynamics. Following analysis of the area, using the DESCR tool, the responses proposed include long-term environmental impact evaluation, with the aim of preserving the local coastal ecosystems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Shoreline Dynamics and Beach Erosion)

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20 pages, 4026 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Framework to Manage Coastal Squeeze

by Rodolfo Silva, María Luisa Martínez, Brigitta I. van Tussenbroek, Laura Odette Guzmán-Rodríguez, Edgar Mendoza and Jorge López-Portillo

Sustainability 2020, 12(24), 10610; https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410610 - 18 Dec 2020

Cited by 49 | Viewed by 7244

Abstract

The coastal zone is in a critical state worldwide, due to the loss and fragmentation of its ecosystems. Much of this is caused by long-term anthropic local, regional, or global actions, which drive coastal squeeze processes. Most of the criteria to evaluate the effects of coastal squeeze are focused on merely identifying its effect on the coastal zone. Here, we propose a framework to manage (identify, analyze, quantify, and tackle) the effect of coastal squeeze. This DESCR framework examines the relations between Drivers, Exchanges, and States of the environment to subsequently evaluate the chronic, negative Consequences and determine possible Responses. To illustrate the application of the DESCR framework, the coastal zone of Puerto Morelos, in the Mexican Caribbean, was studied using this approach. We analyzed the systemic interactions among the coastal ecosystems in this area, such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, beach, coastal dunes, and mangroves, which have been altered over the last decades, resulting in a severe coastal squeeze. Recommended responses include urgent measures for ecosystem management to mitigate the coastal squeeze. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Coastal and Marine Management)

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