Climatology and vulnerability to climate change in the "Altos de Jalisco" region, Mexico

• Main Authors: Ramírez-Sánchez HU (Author), Fajardo-Montiel AL (Author), García Guadalupe ME (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Annals of Environmental Science and Toxicology - Peertechz Publications, 2021-03-16.
• Subjects: Research Article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

<p>The State of Jalisco has high levels of vulnerability to climate change, so it is necessary to identify the areas that present the highest risk. At present, it is important to have information to design and implement measures that reduce the effects of climate change on water resources. In Jalisco, the "Altos de Jalisco" and North regions are very vulnerable as they show a current and future water deficit. The objective of this study is to expose the conditions of vulnerability of water resources in the "Altos de Jalisco", an area of great economic importance for Jalisco and Mexico. The intention is to show the climatic conditions, the changes experienced by climate change through R-Climdex indicators and projections of future scenarios of temperature, humidity and precipitation using PRECIS, to finally expose the vulnerability of the water resource in the region. The results show conditions that coincide with the IPCC reports regarding global estimates of water availability; by the middle of this century, a 10-30% decrease in fresh water is estimated in the dry tropical areas (Mexico and Jalisco) that are already suffering from water stress. It is likely that as the century progresses, an increase in temperature and decrease in relative humidity and intensity of rainfall, and the consequent increase in the extent of areas affected by drought. Likewise, a decrease in water reserves is expected, which would reduce the availability of water in the region as we approach the end of the century.</p>