Maria da Luz Fernandes

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.

Identifying conservation priority areas to inform maritime spatial planning: A new approach

Accommodating sea uses while protecting the ecosystems is a challenge of the marine planning and management process. The European Directive on Maritime Spatial Planning calls for Maritime Spatial Plans until 2021 developed within an Ecosystem Based Management approach. The main goal of this study is to support the Maritime Spatial Planning process with ecological meaningful information, namely identifying priority areas for conservation that are facing less anthropogenic impacts. We developed a new approach for selection of high priority areas for conservation using Marxan software and Cumulative Impacts decision support tools. We identified four main areas prone to conservation in Portuguese mainland subdivision, namely the areas of Figueira da Foz/Peniche, south Cabo Espichel/Sines, Cabo Sardão/Faro and Lagos/Faro. The outputs from this study show the valuable input when allocating space to activities and uses in the marine realm supporting the planning process in the development of management alternatives. This case study also illustrates how ecological goals can be better included to contribute to the Maritime Planning process in Portugal. Systematic planning can be applied to support the connection between Marine Strategy Framework and Maritime Spatial Planning European Directives. This is highly relevant in the time being for Portugal, as the 2nd cycles of both directives are ongoing.

Design Policy Options supported by Marine and Coastal Ecosystem Services Assessment and Valuation: a Case Study in Portugal

ABSTRACT Fernandes, M.L., Antunes, I.C.; Oliveira, E.R., and Alves F.L., 2016. Design policy options supported by marine and coastal Ecosystem Services assessment and valuation: a case study in Portugal. In: Vila-Concejo, A.; Bruce, E.; Kennedy, D.M., and McCarroll, R.J. (eds.), Proceedings of the 14th International Coastal Symposium (Sydney, Australia). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue, No. 75, pp. 977 - 981. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Marine and Coastal Ecosystems provide services and benefits to human well-being whose value is inadequately incorporated into decision-making. Studies are being developed on Ecosystem Services but the challenge remains on how can Ecosystem Services better inform policy options. This paper presents the governance framework analysis and assessment in the study area of Peniche-Nazaré, in Portugal. This research is part of the project on Economic Valuation and Governance of Marine and Coastal Ecosystem Services funded by Gulbenkian Oceans Initiative. This project aims to assess the economic value of Ecosystem Services provided by the region of Peniche-Nazaré (coastal and marine zones). The research started with the analysis of the governance framework (policies, strategies, plans, programmes and institutions). In the study area, this framework supported the characterization of activities and processes, providing inputs on key Ecosystem Services, environmental drivers of change and threats. This analysis demonstrated that the last decade has seen an intensification of strategic documentation and regional funding programmes, due to the European funding context. The assessment highlights the priority axes of investment which are Tourism, Nature Conservation, Fisheries and Energy. This investigation will clarify the key Ecosystem Services that are relevant to specific policies, strategies and programmes, in the region. The final results of this project will inform policy makers, NGOs and businesses in improving planning and regulatory decisions at different policy levels.