Gustavo J. Nagy

Distribution patterns of nutrients and symptoms of eutrophication in the Rio de la Plata River Estuary System

In this paper we discuss nutrient dynamics and the effects of eutrophication in the Rio de la Plata River Estuary System since 1980. The tidal river was characterized by high suspended particulate matter (SPM), nutrients, and N:P ratio (>25), moderate chlorophyll a values, an inverse relationship between SPM and phosphate, and cianobacteria blooms. Seaward of the salinity front, where both SPM and nutrient concentrations are lower and chlorophyll a values greater, the net ecosystem metabolism is positive. Permanent stratification controls nutrient, organic matter and oxygen dynamics leading to biological stress and hypoxia below the halocline. Non conservative behavior of nitrogen in the estuary leads to a low N:P ratio (<3) because of both phytoplankton assimilation of nitrogen and denitrification, and benthic flux of phosphate. Periodic nuisance and toxic blooms occur at high salinities along the Uruguayan coast (Canal Oriental). Over the recent decades, changes in freshwater inflow, point and non-point nutrient load, and stratification, triggered by ENSO events, seem to have controlled the ecosystem metabolism, nutrient-oxygen dynamics, and the development of harmful blooms. The assessment of the regional and overall ranking of eutrophic conditions determines that the system is moderately eutrophied. Nevertheless, increasing trends in quantity of freshwater and nutrient loads, and the low potential to dilute and flush nutrients, suggest that the Rio de la Plata, in particular the Canal Oriental is prone to worsening eutrophication conditions like oxygen stress and harmful blooms.

Climate adaptation in South America with emphasis in coastal areas: the state-of-the-art and case studies from Venezuela and Uruguay

The South American (SA) region is particularly vulnerable to climate change and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events which threaten its economy and sustainable development. Therefore, climate adaptation is a regional priority. At least 6% of SA population live at low-elevation coastal zones (LECZ) exposed to sea-level rise, ENSO variability and storminess. This paper reviews some recent and current adaptation experiences in SA coasts focusing on (i) socioeconomic and vulnerability status, (ii) links between adaptation and sustainable development, and (iii) constraints to adaptation. Despite the regional economic growth and poverty reduction over the last decade, an adaptation deficit to current climate variability persists. Overall, SA countries show a poor link between public policies, adaptation, and theoretical-academic scope. Public adaptation efforts in coastal areas are mostly oriented towards risk assessment, vulnerability and reduction of impacts at urban and touristic settlements. Many experiences developed from the academy follow the community-based adaptation (CBA) approach mainstreamed into local plans. Adaptation constraints are linked with poverty, social priorities, allocation of resources and the multifaceted impacts of climate change. Two coastal CBA case studies in Venezuela and Uruguay based on scientific and local knowledge show that non-structural adaptation measures can improve the populations’ perception of risks, provided that stakeholders, mainly the community, are informed and integrated to define adaptation actions. There are lots of plans and less specific actions. We propose that the assessment of adaptation success has to rely on implementation and effectiveness criteria rather than solely on plans.

Climate Change and Health Vulnerability in Bolivian Chaco Ecosystems

Climate change and variability is impacting health, across different spatial scales, ecosystems, and water supply and quality. In Bolivia climate change is operating in a framework of poverty and inequality. This chapter focuses on the Bolivian Chaco ecosystems water availability and indigenous health. An ecohealth research was launched to evaluate rural communities and their vulnerability and impacts to current and future climate conditions. The participatory-based approach incorporates community and indigenous organizations, local and national health, and meteorological services. Main observed impacts at Chaco are water stress and warming affecting watersheds, ecosystems and health. Water-borne diseases (WBD) and diarrheal diseases (DD) affected most children evaluated. An average decrease in rainfall of 5–12 %, up to 25 % in winter, especially at the middle and low watershed, is observed. Future increases in temperature (+1–2 °C for 2030–2050), modified rainy patterns and reduced water availability are expected. The both observed and expected warming and less rainfall are correlated with diarrheal vulnerability (VCCDD) and the number of DD cases at rural and indigenous communities. Thus, increasing trends of WBD and DD are likely for 2030–2050. This experience was useful to design Chaco region climate change policies and indigenous health adaptation strategies focused on WBD/DD. These included: raising awareness about water and health climate vulnerability and impacts, increasing investments for water sources protection, establishing systems to compensate and protect watersheds and water springs, capacity building, WBD/DD prevention actions, and clean technologies for economic activities.

Fostering coastal resilience to climate change vulnerability in Bangladesh, Brazil, Cameroon and Uruguay: a cross-country comparison

This paper describes a comparative study of four different cases on vulnerability, hazards and adaptive capacity to climate threats in coastal areas and communities in four developing countries: Bangladesh, Brazil, Cameroon and Uruguay. Coastal areas are vulnerable to sea-level rise (SLR), storm surges and flooding due to their (i) exposure, (ii) concentration of settlements, many of which occupied by less advantaged groups and (iii) the concentration of assets and services seen in these areas. The objective of the paper is twofold: (i) to evaluate current evidence of coastal vulnerability and adaptive capacity and (ii) to compare adaptation strategies being implemented in a sample of developing countries, focusing on successful ones. The followed approach for the case evaluation is based on (i) documenting observed threats and damages, (ii) using indicators of physical and socioeconomic vulnerability and adaptive capacity status and (iii) selecting examples of successful responses. Major conclusions based on cross-case comparison are (a) the studied countries show different vulnerability, adaptive capacity and implementation of responses, (b) innovative community-based (CBA) and ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) and (c) early warning systems are key approaches and tools to foster climate resilience. A recommendation to foster the resilience of coastal communities and services is that efforts in innovative adaptation strategies to sea-level rise should be intensified and integrated with climate risk management within the national adaption plans (NAPAs) in order to reduce the impacts of hazards.

A Comparative Analysis of Climate-Risk and Extreme Event-Related Impacts on Well-Being and Health: Policy Implications

There are various climate risks that are caused or influenced by climate change. They are known to have a wide range of physical, economic, environmental and social impacts. Apart from damages to the physical environment, many climate risks (climate variability, extreme events and climate-related hazards) are associated with a variety of impacts on human well-being, health, and life-supporting systems. These vary from boosting the proliferation of vectors of diseases (e.g., mosquitos), to mental problems triggered by damage to properties and infrastructure. There is a great variety of literature about the strong links between climate change and health, while there is relatively less literature that specifically examines the health impacts of climate risks and extreme events. This paper is an attempt to address this knowledge gap, by compiling eight examples from a set of industrialised and developing countries, where such interactions are described. The policy implications of these phenomena and the lessons learned from the examples provided are summarised. Some suggestions as to how to avert the potential and real health impacts of climate risks are made, hence assisting efforts to adapt to a problem whose impacts affect millions of people around the world. All the examples studied show some degree of vulnerability to climate risks regardless of their socioeconomic status and need to increase resilience against extreme events.

Integrating Climate Science, Monitoring, and Management in the Rio de la Plata Estuarine Front (Uruguay)

The study presents an institutional arrangement for managing some risks associated with hydroclimatic variability in the Rio de la Plata River Estuarine Frontal System (EFS). The goals are to contribute to an efficient coordination work between local agencies that manage the use of ecosystem services, and to incorporate climate science and management options in coastal areas of Uruguay. We have identified and analysed climate forcing ENSO and the variables river flow and winds, which govern the location and displacement of the frontal system, where the capital city Montevideo is located, and the fluctuations of salinity. The study analyses the austral spring–summer period (October–March) from 1997/1998 to 2012/2013. Fish catch and beach quality were selected as examples of environmental impacts of climate forcing which are presented as a causality loop diagram (CLD): ENSO → (River flow, wind, rainfall) → (EFS displacement, Salinity), and state/impact indicators → (Fish catch, Beach quality). Institutional cooperation has been developed to incorporate climate adaptation regarding the Frontal System. GEF Project “Implementing Pilot Adaptation Measures to Climate Change in coastal areas of Uruguay”, in which the Directorate of the Environment, the University of the Republic, and the Government of Montevideo collaborate on improving climate science, monitoring, and management in the fields of Estuarine and Environmental Management has provided the framework for the present study.

Addressing climate adaptation in education, research and practice: the CLiVIA-network

Purpose Climate change and variability are both a developmental and an environmental issue. Adaptation to climate change and variability has gained a prominent place on global and local policy agendas, evolving from mainly climate risks impacts and vulnerability assessments to mainly adaptation action, imposing new defies to higher education (HE). The purpose of this paper is to introduce the Climate Vulnerability, Impact, and Adaptation (VIA) Network (CliVIA-Net), a South American university-based coalition aimed at achieving a science for/of adaptation. Design/methodology/approach CliVIA-Net is a collaborative effort by academic groups from across the spectrum of the natural, social and health sciences focused on improving climate VIA on education, research and practice. In consonance with international literature and practices, the network shifted from a discipline-oriented approach to an interdisciplinary and Earth System Science (ESS)-oriented one. It seeks to advance fundamental understanding and participatory practice-oriented research and to develop a problem orientation question/solving answering methodology. A set of cases studies illustrates how CliVIA-Net faces adaptation and sustainability challenges in the twenty-first century. Findings Focusing on interdisciplinary graduate education, practice-oriented research and problem orientation practice on climate threats which are already threatening the environment, population’s well-being and sustainability, allows for the co-production of knowledge and solutions, as well stakeholders’ buy-in and commitment. Originality/value CliVIA-Net draws upon the results of evolving interdisciplinary approaches on global change and VIA education, the research partnership with stakeholders and decision-makers to develop environmental and health outcomes, e.g. vulnerability indicators and scenario planning.

An Assessment of the Relationships between Extreme Weather Events, Vulnerability, and the Impacts on Human Wellbeing in Latin America

Climate change and variability are known to have an influence on human wellbeing in a variety of ways. In Latin America, such forces are especially conspicuous, particularly in respect of extreme climatological, hydrological, and weather events (EWEs) and climate-sensitive disasters (CSDs). Consistent with the need to study further such connections, this paper presents an analysis of some of the vulnerabilities of environmental health issues and climate-related impacts that are focusing on EWEs and CSDs in Latin American countries. The research includes an analysis of the (i) human and socio-economic development; (ii) geographical and socio-economic determinants of vulnerability and adaptability of environmental health issues (exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity); (iii) occurrence of CSDs from 1988 to 2017 and their direct impacts on human wellbeing (Total death and Affected people); (iv) an online survey on the perceptions of the effects of EWEs on human wellbeing in a sample of countries in the region; and (v) discussion of possible solutions. The socio-economic and development indices, and the International Disaster Database (EM-DAT) and Climate-Risk Index (CRI) disaster statistics suggest that the impacts of CSDs are primarily related to socio-economic determinants of human wellbeing and health inequalities. Also, >80% respondents to the survey say that the leading causes of climate-related human impacts are the lack of (i) public awareness; (ii) investment and (iii) preparedness. The paper concludes by adding some suggestions that show how countries in Latin America may better cope with the impacts of Climate-sensitive Disasters.

Building capacity on ecosystem-based adaptation strategy to cope with extreme events and sea-level rise on the Uruguayan coast

Purpose This study aims to show a case study of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) measures to increase coastal system’s resilience to extreme weather events and sea-level rise (SLR) implemented at Kiyu (Uruguayan coast of the Rio de la Plata river estuary). Design/methodology/approach A participatory process involving the community and institutional stakeholders was carried out to select and prioritise adaptation measures to reduce the erosion of sandy beaches, dunes and bluffs due to extreme wind storm surge and rainfall, SLR and mismanagement practices. The recovery of coastal ecosystems was implemented through soft measures (green infrastructure) such as revegetation with native species, dune regeneration, sustainable drainage systems and the reduction of use pressures. Findings Main achievements of this case study include capacity building of municipal staff and stakeholders, knowledge exchanges with national-level decision makers and scientists and the incorporation of EbA approaches by subnational-level coastal governments. To consolidate EbA, the local government introduced innovations in the coastal management institutional structure. Originality/value The outcomes of the article include, besides the increase in the resilience of social-ecological systems, the strengthening of socio-institutional behaviour, structure and sustainability. This experience provides insights for developing a strategy for both Integrated Coastal Management and climate adaptation at the national scale.