The tropical estuarine systems of Mexico and Central America are an important part of the region ́s coastlines; for example Mexico alone possesses more than 770 thousand hectares of mangroves, as well as the largest estuarine mangrove complex on the American Pacific (Marismas Nacionales), yet is one of the poorest studied areas in the world. This is the first book that deals extensively with fisheries management issues in this region from physical-chemistry, ecological and socioeconomic views, providing an understanding on the function and the effects of human activities on these areas, with works undertaken by local scientist.

Building on work presented at the IUCN World Parks Congress (WPC) held in Australia in 2014, this document outlines experiences with aquatic protected areas (PAs), marine protected areas (MPAs) and protected areas in inland waters in the context of livelihoods and food security. It provides a general overview of MPAs and reports on their interface with livelihoods and food security, based on case studies in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania. It also synthesizes the papers conclusions and discusses the observed outcomes of aquatic PAs, together with problems and solutions.

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Resilience and Sustainability of the Mississippi River Delta as a Coupled Natural-Human System" that was published in Water