Bioconservación

Erotion and sedimentation processes were documented along the coastal line of the municipality of Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico. The sites of study were Villa San José (VSJ), Los Cocos Beach (LCB), Playa Linda (PL) and San Benito Beach (SBB). Short-term changes were monthly evaluated during 13 months. Long-term changes were based upon
aerial photographs and satellite images from 1974, 1995 and 2010. To determine the rate of coastal sedimentation erosion (RCSE), a chart was elaborated with the descriptive variables to be analyzed and it was given some value between 1 and 5, additionally some photographs were taken to evidence the observations registered. In a short term VSJ presented constant erosion. PLC presented a minimum gain of beach (0.7 m) y PL showed to be an accreting beach. The long term changes showed that the highest rate of erosion was registered from 1974 to 1995. The RCSE got VSJ located in a level 2, meanwhile SB was ranked in a level 5. Urgent studies allowing the development al strategies and actions to minimize beach erosion are necessary, specifically in the area of urban development that has jeopardized educational centers.