Exploring the role of urban vegetation in ecosystem-based adaptation strategies in the coastal cityscape of Campeche, Mexico

Predicted population growth and urbanization in low-elevation coastal zones threaten natural ecosystems, causing landscape fragmentation, biodiversity loss, and reduced ecosystem services, such as climate regulation, crucial for coastal communities. These impacts undermine the capacity of communities to cope with climate change, including rising urban temperatures. Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) can address ecological and social challenges simultaneously. This study aimed to identify areas where green infrastructure projects could maximize benefits for landscape connectivity and temperature regulation in Campeche, Gulf of Mexico. Between 1995 and 2023, 1,249 ha of urban vegetation were lost, reducing access to green areas to under 10% in a quarter of neighborhoods and decreasing functional landscape connectivity by over 54%. During the same period, average temperatures rose from 29.5°C to 33°C. Areas without forest cover and functional connectivity (439 ha) exhibited significantly higher mean temperatures (33.43°C, STD 0.52) than vegetated areas (31.84°C, STD 0.49). Priority intervention sites were identified, covering 8.4% of the urban area, allowing recovery of temperature regulation services and enhancing landscape connectivity. These findings provide actionable insights for urban planning and EbA strategies in coastal cities facing climate change, highlighting the importance of preserving and restoring urban vegetation to maintain ecological functions and human wellbeing.