Biophysical and economic importance of the ecosystem service of flood regulation on the agricultural sector: Ameca-Mascota Basin, Jalisco, and Jamapa Basin, Veracruz

Abstract

The ecosystem service of flood regulation is a crucial benefit derived from the inherent capacity of ecosystems to retain water and mitigate the velocity of currents that occur during and after precipitation events. In this study, we assessed flood regulation service from biophysical and economic perspectives, focused on the impacts on the agricultural sector within two distinct watersheds in Mexico: Ameca-Mascota, which drains into the Pacific, and Jamapa, which drains into the Gulf of Mexico. In the Ameca-Mascota watershed, an estimated area ranging from 231 to 557 km² would be flooded, affecting agricultural land between 120 and 332 km². Similarly, within the Jamapa watershed, an area of approximately 926 to 1 370 km² would face inundation, leading to the potential loss of crops across an area of 481 to 548 km². Then, the annual production losses for each watershed were calculated to understand the economic implications of these flood events. In the case of Ameca-Mascota, the projected losses ranged from US$ 8.3 million to US$ 67 million, while the Jamapa watershed was expected to suffer losses between US$ 11 million and US$ 88 million. These results underscore the significant vulnerability of these regions to flood-related disturbances, including the substantial economic burden that flood-induced damages pose to the agricultural sector. Also, the outcomes provide valuable insights that can inform and strengthen watershed management practices.