Climate change adaptation measures in a highly productive maize area (Mexico): Are practices aligned with science?

2025-09-26T16:18:35+00:00

As the center of origin and diversification of maize, Mexico heavily depends on its production, making climate change a significant risk to food security. Implementing adaptive measures is essential to mitigate production losses. To evaluate farmers’ perspectives on climate change and the alignment between adaptive measures in practice, those proposed in scientific literature, and public policy, we conducted 30 semi-structured interviews in a highly productive area in Mexico (between August 2022 and January 2023) where rainfed and irrigated agriculture coexist (La Piedad). We then reviewed the scientific literature and analyzed all applicable policy instruments for the area. Our findings indicate that farmers recognize climate change as a significant threat and implement adaptive measures empirically. While scientific literature and public policies promote specific strategies, these are rarely implemented. Instead, practices such as leasing land to agave producers (which is not a good climate change adaptation measure) are becoming more common. The most widespread practice to retain moisture is leaving crop residues, though some farmers have abandoned it due to a lack of technical support. Despite acknowledging climate change, 87% of farmers lack access to reliable climate information or early warnings for extreme events like La Niña. This difference between practices highlights the need for vigorous efforts to bridge scientific recommendations with on-field practices. In conclusion, while farmers perceive climate change as a risk, effective implementation of science-based adaptation measures requires substantial support through policy and technical assistance.

Impact of climate variability on land use and groundwater resources: A case study of Wadi Fekan, northwest Algeria

2025-07-29T16:53:18+00:00

The Mediterranean region is highly vulnerable to climate variability, with profound implications for water security. This study assesses the impact of four decades (1983-2023) of climatic fluctuations on land use and groundwater resources in the Wadi Fekan sub-watershed, northwest Algeria. Using standardized indices (SPI, CMI) and break detection tests on data from 11 rainfall stations, we identified a pivotal climatic shift between 1999 and 2006. This break initiated a wetter regime, leading to a 31.7% increase in rainfall. The resulting increase in runoff led to a measurable expansion of the main riverbed (+0.045% in land-use class). Concurrently, the alluvial aquifer experienced substantial recharge, with volumes rising from 17.997 km³(2003-2013) to 25.615 km³ (2013-2023). However, spatial analysis revealed a paradox: despite overall wetter conditions, aridity intensified in the basin’s center due to a Foehn effect, and the aquifer’s net water balance remained negative over the study period. This indicates that groundwater overexploitation during prior droughts created a hydrologic deficit that recent rainfall has not fully offset. These findings demonstrate the persistent vulnerability of semi-arid aquifers to climatic stress and anthropogenic pressure, underscoring the critical need for sustainable management strategies that address both climate variability and historical overuse to mitigate future water crises.

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Climate change adaptation measures in a highly productive maize area (Mexico): Are practices aligned with science?

Impact of climate variability on land use and groundwater resources: A case study of Wadi Fekan, northwest Algeria