A Framework to Manage Coastal Squeeze

Rodolfo Silva, María Luisa Martínez, Brigitta I. van Tussenbroek, Laura Odette Guzmán-Rodríguez, Edgar Mendoza and Jorge López-Portillo
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Rodolfo Silva: Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico
María Luisa Martínez: Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Antigua Carretera a Coatepec no. 351, Xalapa, 91073 Veracruz, Mexico
Brigitta I. van Tussenbroek: Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales-Puerto Morelos, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 77580 Puerto Morelos, Mexico
Laura Odette Guzmán-Rodríguez: Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico
Edgar Mendoza: Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico
Jorge López-Portillo: Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Antigua Carretera a Coatepec no. 351, Xalapa, 91073 Veracruz, Mexico

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 24, 1-20

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.

Keywords: coastal ecosystems; climate change; Mexican Caribbean; long-term anthropic impacts; coastal squeeze (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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