Search

The promotion of tourism without planning or management can lead the degradation of ecosystems and conflictive social dynamics. This study was conducted in a coastal location where tourism has recently intensified and aimed to reconstruct the preliminary history of tourism and analyze which social groups were involved in tourism and conservation for conducting an ecotourism management. A qualitative content analysis was conducted based on the perceptions of developers, authorities, and tourists in the locality. The results identify social groups involved in the use of ecosystems within the context of local tourism, their interactions, interests, and actions. An analysis of actions contrary to the conservation of these ecosystems that cause land use conflicts and hinder the development of endogenous local tourism was conducted. Social movements and collective actions reveal common interests and values among the inhabitants of Sisal that reveal the potential for transformation into a sustainable tourism project for endogenous local development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the literature on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is vast worldwide, studies in Mexico focusing on Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) and SDGs are only beginning to emerge. Despite this academic gap, Mexico has signed up for the United Nations SDGs, which include producing clean and affordable energy and reducing CO2 emissions to slow global warming. The country is, therefore, committed to implementing measures to help achieve these goals. This study is the first multidisciplinary analysis performed at a national level in Mexico, aimed at identifying sites for efficient Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) production while considering socioeconomic needs, environmental risks, and societal acceptance of the new technologies. We first calculated the energy potential from nearshore winds, waves, marine currents, and offshore thermal gradients. The results show that electricity needs are greater in the 11 states where levels of marginalization are highest. The production of MRE is feasible in three of these regions. However, because Mexico is home to significant natural coastal ecosystems and protected species, care is necessary to produce electricity while protecting Mexico's megadiversity. Social perception of the use of MRE is variable: the inhabitants of some locations are willing to accept the new technologies, whereas those in others are not. MRE production in Mexico is feasible but will face environmental and social issues that must be addressed before deploying new devices in the oceans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine renewable energy (MRE) is increasingly of interest to coastal nations as a source of renewable energy that can support climate change mitigation goals as well as provide secure locally-produced energy for coastal and island communities. MRE extracts power from tidal streams, waves, ocean currents, run of rivers, and gradients in the ocean, with specialized devices developed and tested for each energy resource. Alongside development of MRE technologies and systems, first in Europe and then in North America, Australia, Asia, and other regions, it has been universally recognized that there is also a need to examine potential effects on marine animals, habitats, ecosystem processes, local communities and other sea users, to ensure that the MRE industry can be developed in a responsible and sustainable manner. This paper looks at the status of assessment and monitoring for potential environmental effects associated with MRE projects around the world. Over 80 projects were identified worldwide as having been tested, demonstrated, or commercially deployed with associated environmental monitoring. Five of the projects that represent tidal stream, wave, and run of river projects are examined in more detail to determine the types of data and information collected for those projects, the outputs of the monitoring campaigns, and the actions taken as a result of the data collection and analysis. Recommendations are provided for standardization of the monitoring approaches, instruments, and analysis methods at MRE project sites worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expansion of alien invasive species is a worldwide threat that affects most ecosystems. Islands and freshwater ecosystems are among the most vulnerable to species invasion, resulting in reduced biodiversity. In this study, we aimed to explore the floristic composition of the aquatic vegetation in four lagoons in southeastern Cozumel and assess the occurrence and abundance of alien and potentially invasive plants. We found a total of 43 aquatic or underwater herbaceous species that are subject to periodic flooding. Cluster analyses grouped the lagoons into two groups according to their floristic composition. The results demonstrate that alien and potentially invasive plants were dominant in 3 of the 4 lagoons, representing from 7 to 43% of the species. Six of these species were notably abundant, especially in three lagoons. Further, 2 species are considered among the 100 worst invasive species worldwide, although their abundance in Mexico remains relatively reduced. Five alien and potentially invasive species are terrestrial and grow on the shore of the lagoons, while one is aquatic. Urgent control and management actions are necessary. These should include (a) early detection and surveillance to determine if the alien species found behave as invasives; (b) understanding the relevance of invasive species; (c) preventing and intercepting; and (d) control and management. Habitat restoration, adequate legislation, collaboration between stakeholders, and raising awareness of the dangers of releasing or cultivating invasive species in the wild are also necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]