The Central American Dry Corridor (CADC) is a sub-region in the isthmus that is relatively drier than the rest of the territory. Traditional delineations of the CADC’s boundaries start at the Pacific coast of southern Mexico, stretching south through Central America’s Pacific coast down to northwestern Costa Rica (Guanacaste province). Using drought indices (Standardized Precipitation Index, Modified Rainfall Anomaly Index, Palmer Drought Severity Index, Palmer Hydrological Drought Index, Palmer Drought Z-Index and the Reconnaissance Drought Index) along with a definition of aridity as the ratio of potential evapotranspiration (representing demand of water from the atmosphere) over precipitation (representing the supply of water), we proposed a CADC delineation that changes for normal, dry and wet years. The identification of areas that change their classification during extremely dry conditions is important because these areas may indicate the location of future expansion of aridity associated with climate change. In the same way, the delineation of the CADC during wet extremes allows the identification of locations that remain part of the CADC even during the wettest years and that may require special attention from the authorities.

Central America has suffered the impact of several extreme hydrometeorological events, among which drought stands out. This has had adverse effects of different kinds in the region known as the Central American Dry Corridor (CSC, in Spanish). The objective of this work was to describe the impacts that agriculture, livestock and economy of the CSC countries have suffered due to droughts: agricultural, hydrological and socioeconomic. A review of primary and secondary sources was carried out, such as scientific articles, press reports and studies reports from national and international institutions. The most recurrent impacts are at the level of basic grains and cattle, also due in part to the ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) phenomenon. Because the CSC is a region with high vulnerability to drought and other extreme hydrometeorological events, it is necessary to carry out an adequate characterization of the CSC taking as a baseline similar studies like this one, that orginate a discussion process for the design and implementation of strategies and anticipated public policies of adaptation and mitigation of the drought in the CSC and therefore, lead to improve the quality of life of its population.

This review paper examined the global landscape of research on continental flood early warning systems (EWS), shedding light on key trends, geographic disparities, and research priorities. Continental floods stand as one of the most pervasive and devastating disasters worldwide, necessitating proactive measures to mitigate their impact. Drawing upon a comprehensive analysis of the scholarly literature indexed in the Web of Science repository, this study unveiled significant patterns in EWS research. While the emphasis on flooding is evident, a considerable portion of research focuses on precipitation as a variable and modeling approaches. Furthermore, the influence of climate change emerges as a prominent theme, though distinguishing between climate change and variability remains a crucial area for exploration. Geographically, Europe, particularly England and Italy, dominates research efforts in flood related EWS. Conversely, the limited representation of Central America and other regions such as Asia and Oceania, underscores the need for greater attention to regions facing significant flood risks. Importantly, the concept of total link strength emerges as a valuable metric, highlighting collaborative networks established by European countries and the United States. Based on these findings, recommendations are proposed to enhance the inclusivity and effectiveness of flood related EWS research, including a broader consideration of socio-economic factors, fostering collaboration among researchers from diverse regions, and prioritizing initiatives to strengthen research capacities in vulnerable areas. Ultimately, this study provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners seeking to advance flood risk management strategies on a global scale.

Guatemala faces acute disaster vulnerability due to the combined effects of geological hazards, climatic variability, and socio-economic inequality. This study applies a mixed-method design, combining descriptive interpretation of disaster trends with quantitative statistical modeling to analyze disaster patterns and socio-economic drivers at national and municipal levels. National-scale disaster events (n = 171, 1902–2024) were obtained from EM-DAT, while municipal records (n = 11,256, 1988–2015) came from DesInventar. The analysis employed multiple linear regression, Poisson regression, and Random Forest models to identify predictors of disaster occurrence. Results indicate that total population (β = 0.00084, p < 0.001), road distance (β = −0.037, p < 0.001 in linear; β = 0.0016, p < 0.001 in Poisson), and Human Development Index (β = 118.2, p < 0.001) were consistently significant. Municipalities with higher population density and infrastructure, mostly urban areas, report more disasters, reflecting both greater exposure and improved reporting. Earthquakes and floods are the most lethal hazards, while hydrometeorological events show strong links to El Niño–Southern Oscillation variability, aggravating food insecurity and economic losses, particularly in rural and indigenous communities dependent on rainfed subsistence agriculture. The findings highlight the need for differentiated data-driven disaster risk reduction strategies that address both urban exposure and rural vulnerability. Key recommendations include strengthening early warning systems, improving infrastructure resilience, incorporating traditional knowledge into risk assessments, and integrating socio-economic indicators into national DRR planning to enhance Guatemala’s preparedness and resilience.

Desde 1979, el Centro de Investigaciones Geofísicas (CIGEFI) de la Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) ha evolucionado constantemente hasta convertirse en un referente regional de la Geofísica. Esto ha sido facilitado por diversos actores, investigadores, y colaboradores, tanto propios como de otras afiliaciones. El objetivo de este trabajo fue utilizar las publicaciones elaboradas por el CIGEFI para describir y visualizar las redes sociales de este proceso para el período 1979-2015, mostrando los actores involucrados, las ego-redes más influyentes, la evolución de las redes en tres períodos (1979-1990, 1991-2002 y 2003-2015) para mayor facilidad de procesamiento de la información y las afiliaciones. Se calcularon las medidas de centralidad de grado, cercanía, lejanía y mediación, y se realizaron cinco depuraciones de cada red; para ello, se suprimieron de una a cinco relaciones y actores en cada una. Se concluyó que el trabajo en red fue fundamental para el CIGEFI, pues permitió la integración de un equipo y un abordaje entre distintas disciplinas, clave en los procesos de investigación y toma de decisiones.

En este artículo se analizaron las distintas redes vinculadas a la formulación de políticas públicas en la Comisión de Ciencia y Tecnología del Congreso de Costa Rica, entre el 2010 y 2014, con el propósito de describir el abordaje realizado y la incidencia sobre el estilo de desarrollo costarricense. Se encontró que las principales redes presentan propuestas cerradas y un Poder Ejecutivo con más cercanía a los distintos sectores, pero no suficiente. A raíz de lo anterior, se concluye que existe una limitada coordinación y cohesión de los actores relacionados con la ciencia, la tecnología y la educación en Costa Rica, determinando limitados alcances en educación, empleo, competitividad y desarrollo; especialmente, pensando en la dinámica que ejercen la ciencia y la tecnología en el mediano y largo plazo en el proceso de desarrollo económico y social.