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

Abstract

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 Kiyú (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.

Climate vulnerability, impacts and adaptation in Central and South America coastal areas

“…A successful EBA case study was developed in Kiyú (Uruguayan coast of the Rio de la Plata estuary) where stakeholders implemented measures to reduce the erosion of sandy beaches and dunes due to CRH and poor management practices (Carro et al, 2018). The adaptation process was developed through vulnerability assessments (Nagy et al, 2014b) including managers, stakeholders, and experts.…”

“…The adaptation process was developed through vulnerability assessments (Nagy et al, 2014b) including managers, stakeholders, and experts. This exercise provided social legitimacy, knowledge exchange between stakeholders, and incorporation of EBA approaches by the subnational coastal governments (Carro et al, 2018;Nagy and Gutiérrez, 2018). The recovery processes of coastal ecosystems were implemented through soft measures (green infrastructure) such as the regeneration of dunes, reforestation with native species, and the reduction of use pressures.…”

Advances and Challenges of Coastal Management in Uruguay in the Last Decade

“…Desde ámbitos gubernamentales, aunque no necesariamente plasmado en la normativa, cabe destacar que desde el MVOTMA se llevan a cabo desde 2013 acciones de gestión costera desde un enfoque de Adaptación basada en Ecosistemas y Adaptación basada en Comunidades que brindan un nuevo espacio de interacción entre la sociedad civil y tomadores de decisiones. Se conforman así esquemas de gobernanza que comprenden al gobierno nacional, gobiernos departamentales, municipios y organizaciones vecinales, con variantes según las localidades (Carro et al, 2018). En este marco se acuerdan las acciones a ser implementadas, se generan instancias de capacitación y se conforman redes que fortalecen la gestión de los territorios desde el nivel local.…”

Relationships Between the Sand Cycle and the Behaviour of Small River Mouths: A Neglected Process / O Ciclo Da Areia E O Comportamento De Estuários De Rios Pequenos: Um Processo Negligenciado

“…Most of the population of the planet is concentrated in the coastal areas (Woodroffe, 2002;Small and Cohen, 2004), where they reside and develop activities such as agriculture, fishery, industry, tourism, mining and ports, within the framework of "development policies" that conceive the environment as an unlimited source of resources (Jonge et al, 2002;Nicholls et al, 2008;Martinez et al, 2017). This interpretation has led to the reaching of such a point of transformation, that it becomes difficult to avoid the final loss of environmental services of the coastal ecosystems (Luisetti et al, 2014;Carro et al, 2018;Martins et al, 2018). In turn, many of these investments or infrastructures have already lost their value or functionality, since integrated management of resources has not been carried out, suggesting that current development concepts are not sustainable, neither ecologically nor economically.…”