Lisa P. Sousa

Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM): a review of progress in Portuguese implementation

Coastal areas are the focus of intensive urbanisation and tourism and are subject to changing physical processes causing significant natural environment modifications. It is in this context that the European Commission (EC) developed the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Recommendation and invited coastal Member States to produce national implementation strategies. Its general aim of sustainable coastal development was based on policy integration in cooperation with all stakeholders in an informed and participatory context. Portugal responded to the EC request by creating, approving, and adopting the national ICZM strategy. This paper focuses on Portuguese experiences putting the ICZM recommendation into practice and begins with a brief overview of community guidelines, national legislation, and implementation. Subsequently, governance mechanisms are discussed and best practice identified. From an assessment of Portuguese ICZM progress and lessons learned, conclusions and recommendations for improved effectiveness included: strengthening governance; improving sustainable decision-making processes supported by technical and scientific knowledge; and securing financial sustainability.

An integrated Pan-European perspective on coastal Lagoons management through a mosaic-DPSIR approach.

A decision support framework for the management of lagoon ecosystems was tested using four European Lagoons: Ria de Aveiro (Portugal), Mar Menor (Spain), Tyligulskyi Liman (Ukraine) and Vistula Lagoon (Poland/Russia). Our aim was to formulate integrated management recommendations for European lagoons. To achieve this we followed a DPSIR (Drivers-Pressures-State Change-Impacts-Responses) approach, with focus on integrating aspects of human wellbeing, welfare and ecosystem sustainability. The most important drivers in each lagoon were identified, based on information gathered from the lagoons’ stakeholders, complemented by scientific knowledge on each lagoon as seen from a land-sea perspective. The DPSIR cycles for each driver were combined into a mosaic-DPSIR conceptual model to examine the interdependency between the multiple and interacting uses of the lagoon. This framework emphasizes the common links, but also the specificities of responses to drivers and the ecosystem services provided. The information collected was used to formulate recommendations for the sustainable management of lagoons within a Pan-European context. Several common management recommendations were proposed, but specificities were also identified. The study synthesizes the present conditions for the management of lagoons, thus analysing and examining the activities that might be developed in different scenarios, scenarios which facilitate ecosystem protection without compromising future generations.

Geomatics for Integrated Coastal Zone Management: multitemporal shoreline analysis and future regional perspective for the Portuguese Central Region

ABSTRACT Cenci, L., Disperati, L., Sousa, L.P., Phillips, M. and Alves, F.L., 2013. Geomatics for Integrated Coastal Zone Management: multitemporal shoreline analysis and future regional perspective for the Portuguese Central Region. Proceedings 12th International Coastal Symposium (Plymouth, England), Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 65, pp. 1349–1354, ISSN 0749-0208.--> Shoreline mapping and change detection are critical for Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) and all that it represents. This research utilized previous studies that combined both Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) techniques to assess, map and forecast shoreline evolution from short-term perspectives. The study area is located in the central region of Portugal, between the counties of Ovar and Marinha Grande (circa 140 km) and the time period assessed was from 1984 to 2011. Historical data were used to calculate advance and retreat rates in order to support environmental scenarios for the Portuguese Central Regions Coastal Management Plan. To ensure accuracy, a repeatable procedure was validated using Landsat TM and ETM+ satellite images, which were subsequently enhanced and elaborated by Remote Sensing analyses to detect and extract shorelines. They were subsequently integrated within an Esri ArcGIS software application (DSAS - Digital Shoreline Analysis System) to determine and predict rates of coastline change. Graphical DSAS plots identified coastline phases and shifts and were used to simulate the 2022 coastline scenario. These results will be integrated into the Coastal Zone Management Plan (Horizon – 2022). Importantly this methodological planning approach provides visual coastline change information for regional decision-makers and stakeholders.

‘Blue Carbon’ and Nutrient Stocks of Salt Marshes at a Temperate Coastal Lagoon (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal)

Ria de Aveiro is a mesotidal coastal lagoon with one of the largest continuous salt marshes in Europe. The objective of this work was to assess C, N and P stocks of Spartina maritima (low marsh pioneer halophyte) and Juncus maritimus (representative of mid-high marsh halophytes) combined with the contribution of Halimione portulacoides, Sarcocornia perennis, and Bolbochenous maritimus to the lagoon ≈4400 ha marsh area. A multivariate analysis (PCO), taking into account environmental variables and the annual biomass and nutrient dynamics, showed that there are no clear seasonal or spatial differences within low or mid-high marshes, but clearly separates J. maritimus and S. maritima marshes. Calculations of C, N and P stocks in the biomass of the five most representative halophytes plus the respective rhizosediment (25 cm depth), and taking into account their relative coverage, represents 252053 Mg C, 38100 Mg N and 7563 Mg P. Over 90% of the stocks are found within mid-high marshes. This work shows the importance of this lagoon’s salt marshes on climate and nutrients regulation, and defines the current condition concerning the ‘blue carbon’ and nutrient stocks, as a basis for prospective future scenarios of salt marsh degradation or loss, namely under SLR context.

Influence of climate change on the Ria de Aveiro littoral: adaptation strategies for flooding events and shoreline retreat

ABSTRACT Dias, J.M., Lopes, C.L., Coelho, C., Pereira, C., Alves, F.L., Sousa, L.P., Antunes, I.C., Fernandes, M. da L., Phillips, M.R., 2014. Influence of mean sea level rise on Ria de Aveiro littoral: adaptation strategies for flooding events and shoreline retreat. In: Green, A.N. and Cooper, J.A.G. (eds.), Proceedings 13th International Coastal Symposium (Durban, South Africa), Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 70, pp. 320–325, ISSN 0749-0208. Floods and shoreline retreat in coastal areas threaten many millions of people across Europe. Moreover, it is agreed that climate change can amplify the magnitude and frequency of flooding events and accelerate the shoreline retreat. The main goal of this work is to assess flood and shoreline retreat risk, and define adaptation strategies under present conditions and future climate change scenarios on the Ria de Aveiro and its littoral. The hydrodynamic model ELCIRC was implemented for the Ria de Aveiro lagoon and GENESIS (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) and LTC (Long-Term Configuration) shoreline evolution models for the littoral stretch between Esmoriz and Mira. Numerical results in present and future scenarios were used to map the flooded lagoon extension and the shoreline evolution of this coastal stretch. Analysis showed an increase of the lagoons flooded area, relative to the present, with regions more exposed to sea level rise being lowland areas located at the margins of the lagoons deeper channels. Examination of the littoral stretch showed a slight increasing trend of shoreline retreat under predicted future climate change scenarios, thereby increasing the probability of sand spit rupture. Data from numerical predictions were integrated into Geographical Information Systems covering the coastal and lagoon study areas, and produced hazard and risk maps including the identification of regional use and activities. Structural and non-structural measures were subsequently developed in order to mitigate flood and shoreline retreat effects.

Trend Change(s) in Coastal Management Plans: the integration of short and medium term perspectives in the spatial planning process

ABSTRACT Alves, F.L., Sousa, L.P., Esteves, T.C., Oliveira, E.R., Antunes, I.C., Fernandes, M.L., Carvalho, L., Barroso, S., Pereira, M., 2014. Trend Change(s) in Coastal Management Plans: the integration of short and medium term perspectives in the spatial planning process. In: Green, A.N. and Cooper, J.A.G. (eds.), Proceedings 13th International Coastal Symposium (Durban, South Africa), Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 70, pp. 437–442, ISSN 0749-0208. Spatial planning can be seen as an interdisciplinary science that ensures sustainable development and land use, since it integrates policy, social, cultural, economic and environmental management issues. Marine and coastal spatial planning is particularly challenging due to their vulnerable, dynamic and complex nature and to the problems associated with sea level rise, erosion processes and land-use pressures in the coastal zone. Coastal erosion, flooding and shoreline retreat are serious problems along the coast of mainland Portugal. By using an innovative approach of coastal zone spatial planning, this study developed an Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan for the Portuguese central region (stretch Ovar - Marinha Grande), where alternative planning policies to the previous ones were suggested. The study revealed that socio-economic analysis and the identification and valuation of ecosystems services and land use need to be incorporated in spatial planning to support decision-making favouring sustainable development. According to these approaches the Coastal Plan was developed considering three environmental scenarios to respond to the coastal erosion trends, based on a development model for the coastal region. In addition, the scenarios consider the public investments constraints (national budget) expected in the next decade and the short and medium term of the Plan. This Plan is differentiated from the previous by attempting to lessen further coastal erosion through the integration of different jurisdictions, legislations and directive measures and applying them to the terrain. This strategy shows itself as relevant to promote further forward-thinking Plans for other Portuguese coastal areas.