Social alienation and environmental decline in a coral reef: Challenges to coastal management in the Mexican Caribbean

摘要: Abstract Tourism is the primary economic activity on Riviera Maya in Quintana Roo, Mexico. The area's main attractions are fringing coral reefs along coast and myriad white sand beaches produced by them. Rapid growth of tourism supporting industries generates jobs a steady flow immigrants, increasing demand for housing services. It also increases pressure coastal marine resources through impacts such as pollution, overfishing, zone modification, etc. In this context, Akumal small tourism-support town associated to center Beach, was selected assess its level dependence appropriation resources. A two-pronged approach included characterization town's population socio-economic indicators, well their use perception easily identifiable (coral reef, fish water quality), applying surveys with close-ended questions. And second interview key local business owners tours operators establish vulnerability reef degradation, disposition towards conservation efforts. relationships between community involvement resource appropriation, as, socioeconomic indicators perceptions about past, present future condition were explored using redundancy analysis (RDA), additionally important variables identified tested significance Chi-squared test. Surveys highlighted two factors: high employment rate (90%) 80% working directly (but earning average wages 25% lower than regional average), heavy out-of-state immigration. brought up phenomena among newcomers: deterritorialization (or social alienation), consisting lack decision-making processes, scarce participation natural use, shifting-baselines ignorance current condition. Interviews stakeholders found that they felt only partially vulnerable hypothetical situation total loss, open support efforts long transparency full cooperation from all ensured. measures recommended managers, broadly applicable Mexican Caribbean, focus development strategies addressing root causes mistrust misperceptions, leading environmental degradation.