Integrating ecosystem services for the socio-ecological management of ports

Abstract

Addressing impacts from human activities in coastal zones requires improving stakeholder engagement in public policies. This is particularly difficult for seaports, as a strategic sector, traditionally reluctant to assume external constraints. However, ports are as determinant in coastal transformation as in spatial planning processes. This study seeks a more inclusive participation of seaports authorities in the implementation of integrated and ecosystem-based management models in coastal and marine areas. Those approaches consider ecosystem services as a connecting element between the good status of ecosystems and human well-being. It thus seems reasonable that the same managerial approaches, principles and tools could and should be used to address port environmental pressures in those areas. For that, an adaptation of ecosystem service theories is needed to allow port authorities a better understanding of the connection between the progress of the surrounding socio-economic and natural systems with their own benefits. After the conceptual review, services of "anthropic" origin (including port services) have been incorporated in addition to those provided by "natural" systems, based on how both contribute to the same definition of human well-being developed by the United Nations for the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment in 2005. Thus, a classification of “socio-ecological services”, based on CICES international classification system, has been carried out. Its application to a real case, the port of Imbituba in Brazil, has enabled for a better adjustment of the theoretical model to port sector’ interests. It helped managers to take up a multidisciplinary and holistic perspective in the port's management system, and to a better identification of the consequences on well-being of port decision-making. It also facilitated the assessment of the port-city relationship with the same integrated and ecosystem-based methods as for the port-ecosystem relationship. Finally, a conceptual toolbox based on solid references is provided, so results can be replicated in other port systems.