Emerald Growth: A New Framework Concept for Managing Ecological Quality and Ecosystem Services of Transitional Waters

Davide Tagliapietra,Artūras Razinkovas-Baziukas,Julius Taminskas,Ramūnas Povilanskas

doi:10.3390/w12030894

Davide Tagliapietra, Artūras Razinkovas-Baziukas + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/w12030894

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Abstract

The aim of the present paper is to propose and elaborate on the concept of Emerald Growth as a new framework concept for managing ecological quality and ecosystem services of transitional waters. The research approach combines the longstanding experience of the authors of this article in the investigation of transitional waters of Europe with an analysis of relevant European Union directives and a comparative case study of two European coastal lagoons. The concept includes and reassesses traditional knowledge of the environment of lagoons and estuaries as an engine for sustainable development, but also proposes locally tailored approaches for the renewal of these unique areas. The investigation results show that the Emerald Growth concept enables to extricate better specific management aspects of ecosystem services of transitional waters that fill-in the continuum between the terrestrial (Green Growth) and the maritime areas (Blue Growth). It results from adjusting of both Green Growth and Blue Growth concepts, drivers, indicators and planning approaches regarding durable ways of revitalising coastal communities and their prospects for sustainable development. We conclude that the Emerald Growth concept offers a suitable framework for better dealing with complex and complicated issues pertinent to the sustainable management of transitional waters.

Highlights

The Water Framework Directive of the European Communities (WFD, 2000/60/EC) was the first official document introducing the term ‘transitional waters’ in 2000 to describe the aquatic continuum between freshwaters, coastal waters and marine waters
The European Union (EU) WFD provides an operational definition of transitional waters, still there is some fuzziness resulting from different approaches by the EU Member States in defining transitional waters [5,6,12]
We should reconsider if estuaries and other transitional waters have to be excluded from maritime spatial planning (MSP) as currently, it is the case in the EU

Summary

Introduction

The Water Framework Directive of the European Communities (WFD, 2000/60/EC) was the first official document introducing the term ‘transitional waters’ in 2000 to describe the aquatic continuum between freshwaters, coastal waters and marine waters. ‘Transitional waters’ are defined by the European Communities as “bodies of surface water in the vicinity of river mouths which are partially saline in character as a result of their proximity to coastal waters but which are substantially influenced by freshwater flows”. Transitional waters provided food, transportation routes, shelter (e.g., Venice). Ecosystem goods and services delivered by transitional waters are insufficiently understood, in spite of being essential for a holistic consideration of sustainability conditions of the vast coastal and marine continuum.

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