Assessing the occurrence, social vulnerability, and legal implications of sargassum influxes in Puerto Rico using a social-ecological systems approach

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dc.contributor.advisorGibeaut, James
dc.contributor.authorLeon-Perez, Mariana C.
dc.contributor.committeeMemberPorter, Kateryna Wowk
dc.contributor.committeeMemberMcLaughlin, Richard
dc.contributor.committeeMembervan Tussenbroek, Brigitta
dc.creator.orcidhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-5816-9568
dc.date.accessioned2023-08-28T20:59:27Z
dc.date.available2023-08-28T20:59:27Z
dc.date.issued2023-5
dc.descriptionA dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Coastal and Marine Systems Science.
dc.description.abstractSargassum spp. influxes are causing significant alterations to both natural and human systems in the Wider Caribbean Region. To understand and respond to this situation, a holistic approach is needed that considers the distribution and dynamics of pelagic sargassum and the impacts and feedback between the natural and human systems. This research aimed to provide information for the decision-making processes regarding sargassum accumulations on the coasts of Puerto Rico. Remote sensing techniques implemented in Google Earth Engine were used to detect and spatiotemporally assess sargassum accumulations along the shoreline. The model developed was able to identify both fresh and decomposing sargassum, as well as Sargassum-brown-tide generated from decomposing sargassum. A combination of a participatory exercise and surveys were used to assess the social vulnerability of an impacted coastal community and to identify factors to reduce their social sensitivity and improve their adaptive capacity, such as establishing mitigation actions to reduce the exposure of residents to toxic gases and improving access to sargassum information. Lastly, legal barriers to implementing effective mitigation strategies and agencies jurisdictions in the permitting process were clarified using a co-production approach with local and federal agencies. Recommendations provided include the development of a territory-wide and priority areas response plans and the continuation of meetings with agencies to clarify legal aspects of sargassum mitigation actions including its disposal on land. This dissertation provides much needed information for household, community, and national decision-making. Methods and findings of this dissertation can also be applied to inform decisions in other coastal areas in the region affected by these recurrent events.
dc.description.collegeCollege of Science
dc.description.departmentPhysical and Environmental Sciences
dc.format.extent134 pages
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1969.6/97218
dc.language.isoen_USen_US
dc.rightsThis material is made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with its source. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards. Permission for publication of this material, in part or in full, must be secured with the author and/or publisher.
dc.rightsThis material is made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with its source. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards. Permission for publication of this material, in part or in full, must be secured with the author and/or publisher.en_US
dc.subjectlaw and policyen_US
dc.subjectPuerto Ricoen_US
dc.subjectremote sensingen_US
dc.subjectsargassumen_US
dc.subjectsocial-ecological systemsen_US
dc.subjectvulnerabilityen_US
dc.titleAssessing the occurrence, social vulnerability, and legal implications of sargassum influxes in Puerto Rico using a social-ecological systems approachen_US
dc.typeTexten_US
dc.type.genreDissertation
dc.type.genreDissertationen_US
dcterms.typeText
thesis.degree.disciplineCoastal and Marine System Scienceen_US
thesis.degree.grantorTexas A & M University--Corpus Christi
thesis.degree.grantorTexas A & M University--Corpus Christien_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophyen_US

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