African Oceanography Studies (Earth Science focus) | 08 October 2010
Water Supply Solutions in Indigenous Atacama Desert Communities: A Comparative Study Over Four Years in Equatorial Guinea
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Abstract
The Atacama Desert in Equatorial Guinea faces significant water scarcity challenges, impacting indigenous communities' livelihoods. A mixed-method approach including surveys, interviews, and hydrological data analysis was employed to assess the impact of infrastructure development on community resilience. Water scarcity conditions varied significantly across communities, with some experiencing a 20% reduction in annual water availability, influencing agricultural productivity trends positively or negatively based on local resource management strategies. Infrastructure projects had mixed effects; while they improved access to clean water, their benefits were context-dependent and influenced by community adaptation efforts. Communities should prioritise locally adapted solutions that consider both immediate needs and long-term sustainability. Infrastructure design should incorporate user feedback for optimal performance. The empirical specification follows $Y=\beta_0+\beta^\top X+\varepsilon$, and inference is reported with uncertainty-aware statistical criteria.