Julio César Orantes-Avalos

Climate change intensifies hydroclimatic extremes such as droughts and excess precipitation, posing growing challenges for urban resilience. This study develops an objective framework to assess climate vulnerability and propose adaptation measures in Morelia City, Mexico, integrating climatic and socioeconomic indicators. A four-stage methodology was applied: (1) analysis of the study area, (2) data collection and validation, (3) vulnerability assessment using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and (4) formulation of adaptation measures.The PCA enabled objective weighting of indicators, reducing expert bias and revealing that the lack of adaptive capacity contributes 65% of total vulnerability. Historical data (1969–2019) and projections under RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios for three horizons (2015–2039, 2045–2069, 2075–2099) indicate that the city will experience increased risks of drought and excess precipitation by the end of the century, especially under RCP 8.5.The proposed methodology provides a transparent, replicable tool for evaluating climate vulnerability in data-scarce urban regions. By combining SPI-based risk mapping with statistically derived weights, the study advances quantitative approaches to local adaptation planning. The findings highlight that strengthening health, education, and water infrastructure will be critical to improving Morelia's adaptive capacity to future climate impacts.

The study of urban floods is increasingly crucial due to their growing frequency and impact on densely populated areas, often characterized by inadequate drainage and located in flood-prone zones. The consequences extend beyond physical damage, significantly affecting economies and livelihoods, necessitating substantial economic resources for recovery and infrastructure rebuilding. Urban planning now must integrate flood risk management, emphasizing not only infrastructural resilience but also comprehensive policies that address environmental and social vulnerabilities to better prepare and protect urban environments against future flood risks. This study addresses the critical issue of urban flood vulnerability through a focused analysis of Morelia, a city known for its susceptibility to flooding due to its geographical and hydrological characteristics and accelerated urban growth. Employing a multifaceted approach that integrates hydrological, socio-economic, and land use data within a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) framework, the research develops a Spatial Flood Vulnerability Index (SFVI). This index is meticulously applied at the urban block level, offering a precise mapping of flood risks across the city. By correlating the SFVI results with historical flood data, the study identifies the most vulnerable areas in Morelia, which are primarily impacted due to their proximity to water bodies, economic density, and infrastructural settings. The methodology not only highlights immediate flood risks but also aids in strategic urban planning to enhance resilience against future flooding events. This paper contributes a novel approach to flood risk assessment, providing a replicable model for similarly affected cities worldwide, aiming to balance structural measures with strategic planning tailored to local needs.

En México, denominamos milpa al sistema agrícola tradi-cional basado en policultivos, siendo los más comunes aquellos conocidos como la “tríada mesoamericana” (frijol, calabaza y maíz), donde el maíz siempre ocupa un papel protagónico. Se pueden distinguir al menos tres tipos de milpas dependiendo de la región. En Chiapas, por ejemplo, este sistema biodinámico se encuentra en altitudes que varían desde los 10 hasta los 100 me-tros sobre el nivel del mar (msnm) en la Zona Costa, orientada hacia el Pacífico, hasta más de 2,700 msnm en la Zona Altos de Chiapas, en el centro del estado.La palabra milpa proviene de una expresión compuesta del náhuatl: milli que significa “parcela sembrada” y pan que signi-fica “encima de”. Este sistema ha jugado un papel crucial en la historia alimentaria de nuestro país, pues va más allá de ser una simple fuente de producción de alimentos; representa una interacción profunda entre la naturaleza, la cultura y la sostenibili-dad en el contexto de la alimentación en México. Gran parte de la dieta nacional se basa en productos provenientes de la milpa.La coexistencia y complementariedad de las especies vege-tales que conviven en este espacio son los aspectos que carac-terizan a este modelo agrícola, cuyo eje rector es el maíz, acom-pañado de especies herbáceas conocidas como quelites (entre ellas: chipilín, quintonil, verdolaga, huanzontle, nabo, yerbamo-ra, romeritos), así como jitomates (tomate de milpa), tomatillo verde, frijoles, chayotes, calabazas (castilla, chilacayote, zucchi-ni y criolla). Además de estas especies, otros elementos como el huitlacoche, un hongo comestible, grillos y algunos roedores también pueden habitar la milpa, convirtiéndose en parte de la dieta de quienes la cultivan.

Water quality monitoring serves diverse purposes, such as assessing water safety for drinking or agriculture. However, traditional methods are often time-consuming and costly. Additionally, assessing water quality on demand is not always feasible, and parameter variations are not consistently documented. With the advent of affordable equipment capable of efficient performance with minimal resources, remote monitoring sans physical access to the environment has become viable. This has led to reduced inspection and control costs. Understanding the applications, characteristics, and limitations of these devices is crucial for maximizing their benefits. Rainwater quality remains understudied in many areas, leaving its physical, chemical, and microbiological conditions unknown. These conditions are influenced by various atmospheric factors, including both human and natural activities. This research paper develops monitoring stations employing low-cost technology to assess rainwater quality in Morelia City. A prototype was developed based on low-cost technology implementation. Additionally, basic parameters measured include pH, total dissolved solids, turbidity, and temperature, utilizing an Arduino microcontroller for data processing. Data collected from these stations are transmitted via a Wi-Fi communication module to a web platform, enabling real-time visualization of measurements both spatially and temporally. Utilizing such a device offers several advantages compared to standard methods of assessing rainwater quality. It enables continuous measurements and provides a record of how rainwater quality is affected over time by human and natural activities.