Water management based on coastal fog (Kamanchaka) in a protective forest on a university campus

Resumen

Water management at a global level presents a challenge due to high demand driven by population growth and the effects of climate change. In arid to semi-arid zones with seasonal rainfall, the use of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) is common, drawing on ancestral knowledge. In areas dominated by dry forests and high humidity, meteorological phenomena such as coastal fog (kamanchaka), which result from the interaction of ocean currents, temperature, and topography, help maintain equilibrium and provide water for the survival of flora and fauna. In this context, this study aims to contextualize the role of the kamanchaka meteorological phenomenon by integrating analyses of geodiversity and biodiversity, as well as its potential as an alternative water resource, to define a water management strategy across the five subsystems of sustainability and innovation. The research was structured in three phases: i) geographical and geological characterization, ii) water management using Nature-based Solutions (NbS), and iii) a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis for developing sustainable water management strategies. The results show the potential of the kamanchaka (a type of fog-harvesting system) for integration as an NbS that promotes the conservation of the protected ecosystem and the campus's water resilience. The participatory analysis suggests implementing fog harvesting as an unconventional water source that needs to be integrated into institutional management plans and the continuous learning environment, which serves as a demonstration site for ecohydrology. This study represents a replicable NbS model for coastal areas with similar conditions.