M. Hernández Hernández

• PhD (doctor)
• Professor (Full) at University of Alicante

Over the years, a substantial body of knowledge has emerged to analyse the water–tourism nexus, shifting from setting agendas to problem-solving approaches, while highlighting the importance of involving stakeholders in effective governance. In this respect, the hydrosocial cycle approach has demonstrated its effectiveness in assessing the human–na...

Tourism has been proposed as an instrument for sustainable development in general, and local development in particular. However, the cultural dimension has often been undervalued and under-researched, with greater emphasis placed on the economic and environmental aspects of sustainability and local development. The preservation and restoration of l...

Gamification awakens interest and motivation for teaching Geography. The objective of this study is to analyse the use, appropriateness and proposals according to university students in Spain. Methodologically, we surveyed 125 students (Geography, History, Humanities) in the subject “Geography of the world regions” (2022-2023). The results indicate...

Water possesses distinct physical, social, and symbolic significance both in an individual and collective level, which suggests the necessity for holistic and systemic approaches to bolster water governance and recognize the interrelations among stakeholders inhabiting multifunctional water systems. This is of particular importance in the water-tou...

El municipio de Orihuela (Alicante, España) se sitúa en una de las zonas de riesgo de inundación más importantes de la península Ibérica (río Segura). El objetivo de este trabajo es identificar los centros escolares expuestos a las inundaciones según el Plan de Acción Territorial frente al Riesgo de Inundación de la Comunidad Valenciana (PATRICOVA)...

El desarrollo de la urbanización y de las actividades turísticas en la Comunidad Valenciana desde mediados del siglo xx han producido una intensificación de las demandas de agua que han requerido la conformación de complejos sistemas de suministro, especialmente donde las condiciones climáticas e hidrológicas suponían una limitación para el desarro...

La ludificación, a pesar de ser una metodología con varias décadas de implantación, en los últimos años está teniendo un protagonismo creciente tanto en la educación en general como en la enseñanza de la Geografía en particular. El objetivo de este estudio es llevar a cabo un estado de la cuestión de las publicaciones relacionadas con la ludificaci...

Planificación territorial en tiempos de crisis (2008-2022): cambio de paradigma y recrecimiento en el litoral de Alicante (España) Los efectos de la crisis sanitaria asociada a la pandemia COVID-19, que se han superpuesto a las consecuencias de la crisis económica de 2008, han tenido un gran impacto social y económico en los territorios turísticos...

The water-tourism nexus requires better knowledge, management and governance to address environmental and societal challenges. This review takes stock of the approaches used to address this nexus in the Mediterranean from 2000 to 2020. Bibliometric and exploratory content analysis targeted tourism impacts on water supply, determinants of water cons...

Drought is a common climate risk in the Mediterranean region, but in connection to climate change, its frequency and severity are predicted to increase during the next century. In order to better manage future scenarios in which global warming will be superimposed to natural climate variability, the nature of droughts before industrial times should...

In recent decades, the need for water availability to enable tourism development has led to the implementation of policies aimed at both increasing the supply of water resources and improving the efficiency in the use of water. The decreasing trend in water consumption experienced over the last two decades in many European cities is usually related...

A pesar de que el acceso al suministro de agua es relativamente universal en las ciudades del Norte Global, algunos factores como el aumento del precio del agua, la crisis económica o las condiciones socioterritoriales, pueden contribuir a generar situaciones de pobreza hídrica. Este trabajo analiza la pobreza hídrica, entendida como la asequibilid...

Las inundaciones constituyen el desastre natural más común en Europa. El análisis del riesgo de inundación se ha afianzado en la última década con el fin de reducir la exposición y la vulnerabilidad social. La componente social del riesgo, ejemplificada en la percepción del mismo y que caracteriza el grado de incertidumbre social generado por un ev...

Las áreas urbanas del litoral mediterráneo, que son importantes destinos turísticos y residenciales, son vulnerables a las variaciones climáticas dada la incidencia que estas pueden tener en la disponibilidad de recursos hídricos, ya que las mayores concentraciones de población y consumo se producen coincidiendo con meses de menor pluviometría. La...

Climate change has become one of the major themes in the academic world, as it constitutes a socio-environmental challenge faced by society in the twenty-first century. The objectives of this study, based on the opinions of geography teachers (secondary education and baccalaureate, Spain), were to analyze the frequency of use of school textbooks in...

The Hydrosocial Cycle (HSC) has been widely applied and discussed as a consolidated research line to rethink the contemporary challenges that condition the urban and agroecosystem nexus. However, additional research directions are still open to guide policy and decision-makers in reinforcing stakeholders’ engagement and interaction to resolve tensi...

The aim of this research is to analyze the adaptation of climate change proposals and solutions that are incorporated in the Spanish Social Sciences school textbooks (Primary Education). Based on the analysis of the main publishers, the books that correspond to the third cycle (5th and 6th grades) have been examined. After the revision of these res...

Floods are the natural hazard that have the greatest economic impact and cause the most deaths in the Mediterranean region. The objective of this study is to present different proposals for teach the risk of flooding using the GIS viewers offered by the NFZMS (National Flood Zone Mapping System) and the PATRICOVA (Spain). The idea is that, based on...

The main natural risk in the Mediterranean region is flooding. Therefore, in Spain, explaining this issue in Primary Education classrooms of Social Sciences should be a priority and is established as such in the current curriculum. The aims of this study are to carry out an analysis of the contents on flood risk included in the Social Science textb...

The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed changes in the planning and management of tourism in the coastal municipalities of the Costa Blanca (Alicante, Spain), where tourism has a remarkable footprint from the point of view of land use, land planning, and management of natural resources. This work aims to analyse the responses undertaken by the different d...

Water policy and hydrological planning are critical aspects regarding water supply systems adaptation to water scarcity risk, aggravated by the uncertainties that climate change may pose on water availability. The importance of the science-policy interface is especially relevant in coupled human-nature systems where different water uses and high co...

One of the subject areas that is currently most prominent in the field of education (Social Science) is climate change, given its implications for raising awareness and training the present and future society. The objectives of this study, focused on school children (Primary Education—10 to 12 years old; third cycle, Secondary Education—12–16 years...

Water is an essential resource for tourism: from direct consumption (in-room water use) to irrigated gardens, swimming pools, and spas/wellness facilities to a wide range of leisure activities and landscaping. Numerous meta-analyses have contributed to this topic’s theoretical and empirical development. Scholarly studies on the water-tourism nexus...

Climate change, in interaction with other drivers, has mainly negative consequences for the water cycle in the Mediterranean Basin, including reduced runoff and groundwater recharge, increased crop water requirements, increased conflicts among users, and increased risk of overexploitation and degradation. In this context, the identification and und...

The political sphere is starting to take an interest in how the teaching of atmospheric risks at pre-university stages can be improved. This interest has arisen due to the fact that, as stated in the 2030 Agenda, education is an important factor for reducing the effects of natural hazards within the context of current climate change. However, in de...

El aumento de la desigualdad socioeconómica tras la crisis iniciada en 2007, agravada por la Covid-19, provocó un incremento de situaciones de pobreza hídrica en los hogares más vulnerables. Desde entonces, con el objetivo de satisfacer el derecho humano al agua y evitar los cortes de suministro por impago, se han desarrollado distintos tipos de in...

Floods are one of the main natural risks that affects Europe. The situation was made worse in recent years by the urban occupation of flood regions and the consequences of climate change. These general factors are joined by a specific one related to the role that education could play and linked to this as these topics are taught in school. In Spain...

The aims of this research, based on a case study (trainee teachers of Primary degree and Secondary Education–MAES of the University of Valencia, Spain), are to analyse the students’ memories and perceptions of their training about floods; to examine the interest in teaching these contents in Social Science and/or Geography classes; and to analyse t...

In this chapter, the concepts of sustainable urban drainage systems and water harvesting are related with the principles of “Integrated Water Resources Management” and “the Demand Management Approach”. The chapter shows how rainwater, which was once considered to be a hazard, is now thought to be a water resource, one which can help take the pressu...

Since the middle of the 20th century, urban-tourist development in tourist destinations on the Mediterranean coast has required the creation of complex water supply systems to guarantee a growing water demand. At present, the challenges posed by climate change around the management of water resources requires the implementation of adequate water po...

On the Mediterranean coast, urban-tourist growth has required the creation of sophisticated water supply systems to guarantee water demand, both in technical and in water governance terms. In some cases, the diversity of stakeholders and interests involved may affect the sustainability of the water system in addition to the challenges posed by clim...

Worldwide water consumption continues to grow, and it is estimated that in ten years, more than 160% of the total water volume worldwide will be needed to satisfy the global water requirements. In this context, non-conventional water resources are being considered to overcome water scarcity and reduce water conflicts between regions and sectors. A...

The study of two basic resources, climate and water on the Spanish Mediterranean coast, has evolved in recent decades in relation with the conceptual changes, changes of focus and of method that have taken place in Spain in relation with both concepts. Furthermore, in the current context of spatial sustainability, new processes have appeared that a...

In rural destinations different programmes coexist to promote tourism which involves many organizations and relationships. The complexity of stakeholder networks in some cases implies that the result of the application of the programmes is not efficient enough. This paper aims to explore some of these challenges regarding destinations located in ru...

Uno de los aspectos más discutidos entre la comunidad educativa es cómo frenar la tasa de abandono de los cursos online, masivos y en abierto (MOOC). Esta comunicación analiza el proceso de aprendizaje de un curso sobre el análisis geográfico de los riesgos naturales (Universidad de Alicante, plataforma MiriadaX) con el fin de identificar los patro...

La necesidad de disponibilidad de agua para posibilitar el desarrollo turístico ha conducido durante las últimas décadas a la implementación de políticas orientadas tanto al incremento de la oferta de recursos hídricos como a la mejora de su eficiencia. No obstante, los avances en la eficiencia no siempre han supuesto una disminución del consumo en...

La necesidad de disponibilidad de agua para posibilitar el desarrollo turístico ha conducido durante las últimas décadas a la implementación de políticas orientadas tanto al incremento de la oferta de recursos hídricos como a la mejora de su eficiencia. No obstante, los avances en la eficiencia no siempre han supuesto una disminución del consumo en...

The drought is a climatic risk with great repercussions on water supply systems for urban-tourist and farming uses. The aims of this research are: 1) to analyse and evaluate the measures carried out in the Southeast of Spain (Basin of Segura river) from the point of view of planning and management urban water uses; and 2) to assess its degree of ad...

The effects of climate change on rainfall in the Mediterranean region are manifested in an overall decreasing trend, and greater irregularity in annual volumes and the city of Alicante is no exception. In addition, there has also been a spread of the urbanised area, which has led to an increase in the flood risk in urban areas (due to a greater run...

El periodo de disminución del consumo urbano de agua iniciado a mediados de la década del 2000 en España se invirtió en algunas áreas litorales del Mediterráneo a partir del año 2014 como resultado de la recuperación económica y el crecimiento de la actividad turística. Sin embargo, a escala inframunicipal este cambio de tendencia no se ha producid...

The risk of flooding is the main natural hazard that affects the European Mediterranean region. This hazard has worsened in recent decades due to the occupation of flood areas and the effects of climate change. Therefore, understanding and gaining a more in-depth knowledge of social representations of flooding is important. In addition, interest in...

Research interest in massive online and open courses (MOOCs) is rapidly growing, questioning who enrolls, why and how to conceive engagement, and success rates. This study is focused on MOOC-takers behavior obtained from a seven-week MOOC experience on natural risks. Data scraping principles have been used to collect data. Demographics, success-dro...

Studies on water in cities usually focus on household consumption. However, little attention has been given to non-household consumption and schools from a geographic perspective. The objectives of this research are to examine water consumption trends in schools in the city of Alicante (Southern Spain) between 2000-2017, revise how water use is man...

El objetivo de este trabajo es proponer la antigua Laguna de Villena (Alicante, España) como un recurso didáctico para la interpretación y análisis del paisaje. Metodológicamente se han expuesto los materiales, pasos, actividades y evaluación que se lleva a cabo y durante la jornada. Como conclusión cabe indicar que esta experiencia constituye un b...

In the last twenty years, in the so-called post-productive societies there has been a rediscovery of landscapes associated with its identi cation as an identity and quality feature. In the province of Alicante, the improved dry farming (muddy waters) in the comarca of Alacantí and the terraced landscapes (Mountain of Alicante) are representative. e...

Desde finales del siglo pasado (XX) se ha producido un cambio de paradigma en las relaciones campo-ciudad. La difusión, proliferación y consolidación de movimientos que abogan por una alimentación más saludable, de calidad y de proximidad ha convertido a las áreas periurbanas en espacios de oportunidad dada su cercana localización a los consumidore...

The developed world has witnessed significant land changes since the second half of the 20th century. These include a process of intensive urban development, which is also accompanied by the growth in the urban population and housing. One of the outcomes of this process has been an increase in the consumption of resources, including water. The aim...

TTourism, and particularly residential tourism, has led to a change in the urban and demographic model of towns along the European Mediterranean coastline. Water as a resource limited and limiting for the growth of tourism is a popular topic in the scientific literature.However, the incorporation of non‐conventional resources (desalination) has mea...

Tourism, and particularly residential tourism, has led to a change in the urban and demographic model of towns along the European Mediterranean coastline. Water as a limited and limiting resource for the growth of tourism is a popular topic in the scientific literature. However, the incorporation of non-conventional resources (desalination) has mea...

The Mediterranean Spanish coastal has witnessed since the 1960s a spectacular increase in residential construction and beach tourism. This process has led to an increase in water consumption and greater risk of flooding. This is related, on the one hand, to the increase in population and housing and, on the other, to the occupation of risk areas. T...

Estudio detallado de los cambios en el uso del suelo en la región mediterránea española entre 2000 y 2016. Con una perspectiva de análisis geográfico, tanto físico como humano y económico, los autores muestran una realidad mutante y de fuerte dinamismo, en buena medida estimulada por la fuerte productividad económica (y social, en razón a la intens...

In the province of Alicante (Southern Spain) the insufficiency of water resources has been motivated by the increase in demands since the 60s and 70s to satisfy urban and agricultural uses. Also, it is important to be added that the natural aridity of the territory has become one of the main economic and socio-territorial problems. The increase of...

Drought is a climatic risk with notable repercussions on water supply systems. The aim of this study is to analyze the principal measures for management and planning implemented during recent decades in south-eastern Spain (Segura River Basin) to respond to drought situations, focusing on the role played by non-conventional water resources (desalin...

In recent decades, territorial transformations have occurred on the Spanish Mediterranean coast due to the real estate bubble (1997–2008). The objectives of this research are: (1) to analyse the domestic water consumption trend in the study area (“Beach Sector” of the city of Alicante, Southern Spain) (2000–2017); and (2) explore water use and the...

La innovación docente y la aplicación de metodologías conducentes a mejorar la docencia y los resultados en el alumnado son algunas de las iniciativas que se están desarrollando e implementando en los últimos años. Los objetivos de esta investigación son: a) analizar y comparar el progreso del alumnado en dos asignaturas con contenidos sobre paisaj...

Los espacios urbanos se han convertido en territorios proclives al daño económico y pérdida de vidas humanas con ocasión de episodios de rango extremo de origen natural. Ello es debido a la acumulación de población y actividades en el medio urbano y a la deficiente planificación urbana, que no ha tenido en cuenta, hasta fechas muy recientes, el pro...

The Spanish Mediterranean coastline has experienced a significant urban growth related to tourist activity since 1960. The aim of this research is to define and to analyse water consumption trend along the coast of province of Alicante (2005-2015), taking into account a hypothetical increase in water consumption due to the increase in dwelling and...

For many European rural areas, the rural development programmes based on the LEADER approach constitute the main policy for promoting tourism. Going a step further than a rural development programme, LEADER represents an ideal method for overcoming some of the challenges involved in rural tourism development, such as the integration of tourism supp...

Las sociedades que habitaban las regiones semiáridas adoptaron una particular ordenación del territorio (el aterrazamiento de laderas y los riegos con aguas de escorrentías eventuales producidas por chubascos de fuerte intensidad horaria) con la que se trataba de minimizar, entre otros, la escasez de precipitaciones y potenciar unos horizontes edáf...

Los Sistemas Participativos de Garantía (SPG) son un sistema alternativo a la certificación ecológica oficial, y están implantados en Europa, en países como Francia o España, y en otros países del mundo. Países como Perú y Brasil ya los han equiparado a la certificación oficial y se agrupan en la organización internacional IFOAM (International Fede...

Las relaciones campo-ciudad han registrado un cambio de paradigma desde finales del pasado siglo XX basado en un nuevo replanteamiento de las relaciones en el territorio. La difusión, proliferación y consolidación de movimientos que abogan por una alimentación más saludable, de calidad y de proximidad precisa de un soporte físico productivo y ello...

In the last years it has been happened territorial transformations due to the real estate bubble. The aim of this research is, on the one hand, to analyse how the urbanization has increased and, in particular, the low density urbanization (detached houses) in the city of Alicante (southeast of Spain) until the bursting of the real estate bubble in...

After the real estate boom and the beginning of the economic crisis in 2008, a scenario characterized by a slowdown in building and urbanization was evident. It has been a period of recession in which many social conflicts have arising from the contradictions of the years of the rapid urbanization. Its effects (high rates of unemployment, evictions...

Since 2014 and 2015 numerous projections and macroeconomic indicators have shown sustained growth, allowing governments to affirm that the economic crisis has been overcome. In Spain, the onset of the crisis and the bursting of the real estate bubble (2008) have caused a profound impression on the country and society in recent years. The aim of the...

The Spanish Mediterranean region has been affected by several factors over the years (climatic conditions of aridity, high water demands, rapid and intense urban and population growth, climate change), that have generated a negative water balance whereby water resources are unable to meet the demand. Diversifying supply sources by resorting to new...