TABASCO – Plan of Adaptation Measures to reduce Vulnerability of Lagoon System Carmen-Pajonal-Machona, Tabasco, to Impacts created by Climate Change and Human Activities

The lagoon system Carmen-Pajonal-Machona is located in the Gulf of Mexico and has an area of 190 km2. Anthropogenic change, mainly due to oil extraction, has changed the hydrodynamic, morphological and ecological characteristics of the lagoon system. Other causes of alteration are: agricultural development, deforestation and industrial development. In addition to these problems, which already make the system vulnerable, there are further problems due to the impact of climate change. The project aims at designing adaptation measures to climate change, which will be managed by local communities.

Duration
10 months from 18/12/2014 to 17/10/2015
Funded by
  • Instituto Nacional de Ecología y Cambio Climático

Coordinating organization
  • THETIS S.p.A

CMCC Scientific Leader
CMCC Project manager
CMCC Institutes

CMCC Divisions

General aims

The project will be developed in three phases. The first phase is for the analysis of the present condition of the socio-ecosystem: data and documents will be collected, field activities will be carried out, a workshop will be organized to elicit local knowledge from experts, from institutions and from the population. The second phase will focus on the analysis of the socio-economic, climatic and biophysics future conditions of the lagoon system. Finally, in the third phase adaptation measures will be developed.


CMCC Role

The contributions of CMCC researchers are:

  • organization of the participatory process for the consultation of local actors, experts and local institutions
  • analysis of the climate change scenarios
  • analysis of the socio-economic aspects
  • analysis of the climatic impacts on socio-ecosystem
  • analysis of the institutional setting and recommendations for its improvement
  • planning of possible adaptation measures for specific sites of the lagoon system

The CMCC Strategic Marketing is involved in the research of the project.


Expected results
  • design of at least 5 climate change adaptation measures on a small scale, implemented and managed by local communities
  • development of a numerical model of lagoon hydrodynamics

Activity

Analysis of the current state

  • measurements and analysis of lagoon hydrodynamics, of coastal morphodynamic, and of vegetation communities,
  • development of a numerical model for lagoon hydrodynamics,
  • description of the conservation of the watershed ecosystem and characterization of soil degradation,
  • analysis of the social, economic, infrastructural and cultural conditions,
  • zoning of the watershed.

Evaluation of the anthropogenic and climatic impacts

  • analysis of climate scenarios,
  • stability of the lagoon barrier and study of coastal erosion,
  • lagoon hydrodynamic and associated natural resources,
  • economic activities which depend on soil fertility and water quality,
  • local population and infrastructure.

Identification of key sites for the implementation of adaptation measures

  • organization of two workshops for the involvement of the local population,
  • identification of biological corridors and priority areas for ecologic restoration.

Elements for local institutions capacity building.


Partners
  • Coastal Environments
  • CINVESTAV

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