Assessment of Impacts and Adaptation Measures for the Water Resources Sector Due to Extreme Events Under Climate Change Conditions in Central America (Walter Fernández, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Planetary Research, School of Physics, University of Costa Rica, Costa Rica)

The Central American Isthmus is frequently affected by disasters, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, droughts, and land slides. Most of the disasters are related to atmospheric phenomena: tropical cyclones (hurricanes, tropical storms and depressions), El Niño/La Niña, severe storms (associated with cold fronts) and the inter-tropical convergence zone, among others. The purpose of this project is to assess the impacts of extreme events under climate change conditions on the water resources of Central America in the context of the region’s changing environment, economy and quality of life, and to design adaptation measures to be implemented by decision-makers. Regional climate change scenarios generated mainly from climate models and historical climate records will be used to identify vulnerabilities and potential impacts of climate change on water resources. The results of parallel extreme events analyses will be related to climate change conditions using statistical and dynamical analyses. Based on this, the impact on water resources, including implications for agriculture (irrigation), human water supply, environment, hydroelectricity, tourism and disasters management, will be assessed for different time horizons. Throughout the study, actual adaptation capacity will be addressed and evaluated, and adaptation mechanisms and options will be developed and communicated to decision-makers.

Countries and sectors: Central America (Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama). Water resources (including water supply and power generation) and interacting sectors, including agriculture, tourism and disaster management.