Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change
Open Access

Abstract

Climatic conditions become ostensible in human activities altering agricultural production, forestry and civil security increasing vulnerability risk of socio-environmental disaster. In regions where natural resources proliferate in good condition and therefore are declared protected areas, such as the Sierra Otomí in the municipality of Amealco (Queretaro, Mexico) it is essential to determine whether there is indeed climate changes or, if there are just weather variations analyzing meteorological data from different climatic stations around the community. This ethnic group depends 100% of its natural resources for its survival today. The aim of this study was to identify if weather variations are so persistent in the time to talk about climate change in the region. Trend, its impact on the daily lives of Hñä-hñö and their perception of climate change will be quantified. For this purpose, were revised precipitation and temperature data from five closest to the study area weather stations, but a detailed analysis focused exclusively on the station with the longest series was done (Amealco, spanning more than 60 years data). Temperature analysis showed that between 1944 and 2011 has dropped 0.5ºC (trend line starts at 23.2ºC and ends at 22.7ºC). Precipitation has no statistical differences between these 67 yrs. Regarding the perception of the population they believe there is a major climate change in the region, increasing trouble scheduling crops because the rain is delayed or comes suddenly and everything floods. It also tells people that the temperature is getting stronger than ever, because the nights are cooler and the days are hotter than some years ago. This information will serve to propose concrete measures for the management of their resources.

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