Coastal Municipalities Research Articles

Prioritizing environmental policies in Greek coastal municipalities

The aim of the present contribution has been to present a methodological framework to gauge/assess the perceptions and identify the policy priorities of local-decision-makers for the management of the coastal zone under a changing climate, on the basis of structured ‘interviews’ of the local decision makers. The framework was applied in two different coastal areas in Greece: a) Elefsina, an urban-industrial area west of Athens with a long industrial history (and the 2023 European Capital of Culture); and b) the Aegean island of Santorini/Thera, a major international tourist destination due to the rare aesthetics of its volcanic landscape. The framework implementation showed that a) policy prioritization is characterized by an (understandably) overarching objective to address immediate environmental and socio-economic challenges in short time tables due also to constraints in appropriate human and financial resources and the reliance on higher governance (regional/national) levels; b) policy axis and action prioritizations are controlled by the local environmental setting and development model; c) interestingly for coastal municipalities policy actions associated with the study/protection of coastal ecosystems ranked very low albeit for different stated reasons; and d) climate change impacts and adaptation have not been prioritized highly in both coastal municipalities, in contrast to the large impacts and needs for adaptation projected for these areas and the evolving policy and legislation frameworks. It appears that higher efforts should be made in terms of the assessment of climate change impacts, and the dissemination of the assessment results and the relevance of the evolving policy and legislation regimes to the local policy makers.

Dirofilaria immitis in dogs from the coastal tourist region of the state of Alagoas, Brazil.

Canine dirofilariasis, caused by Dirofilaria immitis, is prevalent worldwide. However, the frequency of canine infection in the state of Alagoas, Brazil is scarcely unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of D. immitis infection in dogs from the coastal municipalities of Alagoas and analyze the risk factors associated with the infection. A cross-sectional study was performed using 426 dogs of different breeds and sex distributed across 15 coastal municipalities in the state of Alagoas. Blood samples were collected from each dog and analyzed for circulating microfilariae and free D. immitis antigens. To investigate the risk factors associated with D. immitis infection, we collected information on dog environments using an epidemiological questionnaire. The results revealed that 12.7% of dogs tested positive for D. immitis. Dogs with travel history were 3.52 times more likely to be infected. Thus, infected dogs in the coastal region of Alagoas should be regularly monitored and the public health system should plan strategies to control this zoonotic disease.

Socio-demographic determinants of earthquake risk perception: the case of the Corinthiakos Gulf, in Greece

AbstractRisk perception has been widely recognized as an essential factor in shaping attitudes and behaviors of individuals and communities proactively, during and after the experience of extreme catastrophic events. Its importance derives out mostly due to its intrinsic relationship with socioeconomic parameters and capacity building of communities affected by such events. The aim of this paper was to elaborate on the demographic and socioeconomic determinants of earthquake risk perception of populations living in an extremely earthquake-prone environment. For this purpose, a population sample of municipalities in the Corinthiakos Gulf in Central West Greece was examined. The sample (230 men and 276 women) was randomly selected from three coastal municipalities of the Gulf: Aigialeia, Nafpaktia and Corinthos. Multi-adjusted linear regression analysis was performed to reveal the determinants of the participants’ perceptions regarding earthquake risk. Findings revealed that mean earthquake risk perception score was moderate in both men and women and notably lower for the participants living in the municipality of Nafpaktia, as compared to the participants of the other two study areas. Earthquake risk perception varied significantly according to age, sex, income and building construction period (of assets resided or used by the participants). Younger strata, especially young men, and households of lower-income status tend to correlate to lower earthquake risk perception. Moreover, individuals living in newly constructed buildings presented lower earthquake risk perception levels. Also, increased individuals’ earthquake safety information provided by state agencies and local civil protection authorities was associated with increased risk perception. Issues like education, household structure, building earthquake insurance, savings and trust in civil protection authorities were not associated with risk perception. From a policy design point of view, such findings provide noteworthy insights for local communities and civil protection authorities allowing to identify vulnerable population groups and to provide noteworthy insights to design targeted measures and policies in the making of a safe and resilient environment.

Personal, peaceful, progressive: Integration workers’ narratives of refugee settlement and the rural

AbstractSettlement of refugees in rural areas in Norway is part of a national strategy to counter depopulation and thus links to ideas of revitalization and more promising futures for these areas. It also links up to an idea of smaller communities as ‘better at integrating’, as smaller communities both enable and necessitate more contact between the original population and newcomers. However, although some municipalities reap advantages of the dispersed settlement policy and succeed in retaining settled refugees, other municipalities ‘fail’. This article explores how the integration of refugees in rural communities is interpreted by public integration workers in two rural–coastal municipalities where the outcomes differ significantly. Drawing on 15 qualitative interviews, we discuss how integration workers make sense of local integration efforts, and how notions of the rural are (re)produced through their integration narratives. The analysis finds that the integration narratives draw on and reproduce both distinct and overlapping imaginaries of rural areas. We identify two main imaginaries: the rural as future‐oriented and dynamic, and the rural as close‐knit and peaceful.

Assessing the Compliance of a Coastal Municipality to the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003)

To bring about a significant change in the SWM situation in the Philippines, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003) was enacted to provide local government units with frameworks that would help them solve the looming garbage problem in the country. Despite the presence of the decree, managing wastes remains a problem in the country particularly in the CALABARZON. This study was conducted to assess the extent of compliance of a coastal municipality to RA 9003 in terms of institutional mechanism, comprehensive solid waste management, incentives, and financial solid waste management and compare the assessments of 72 public officials, 396 residents, and 126 business establishments regarding the local government units’ compliance. The research utilized a descriptive design and gathered data using the questionnaire complemented with interview and focus group discussion. Frequency, weighted mean, standard deviation, ANOVA and Scheffe’s Test were used in treating the gathered data. Results revealed that Calaca has not fully complied with RA 9003. The solid waste management (SWM) implementation in the component barangays and waste segregation are not strictly monitored. There is weak enforcement of waste segregation, provision of appropriate bins, technical capacity of waste handlers, and utilization of the materials recovery facilities. Waste collection remains the primary issue in the city. The assessments of the officials, residents, and establishments regarding Calaca’s compliance with institutional mechanisms, financial SWM, and incentives significantly differed despite their agreement regarding comprehensive SWM, indicating a low level of awareness among stakeholders and a weak SWM system.

Hazard experiences, concerns and responses in coastal municipalities and communities: insights from Nova Scotia, Canada

Hazard experiences, concerns and responses in coastal municipalities and communities: insights from Nova Scotia, Canada

First record of wavy jaw slopefish, Cymatognathus aureolateralis (Acropomatiformes: Symphysanodontidae), in Davao Gulf, Philippines

Two individuals of wavy jaw slopefish, Cymatognathus aureolateralis, were collected from a fish landing area in the coastal municipality of Governor Generoso in Davao Gulf, Philippines. This extends the species’ known geographic distribution northward, approximately 579 kilometers from Bitung, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, where it was first described. The specimens collected from Davao Gulf have similar overall appearance, including the elevated tooth patch that is distinct for this genus. Morphological and meristic characters were also comparable with the measurements and counts provided for the specimen from Indonesia. Although interconnectivity of C. aureolateralis between southern Mindanao and North Sulawesi is possible given the similar bathymetric contour along the stretch of the Sangihe arc, larval transport remains unclear due to the prevailing oceanographic currents. The new records of marine fishes reported recently in Davao Gulf emphasizes the importance of strengthened management measures through an ecosystem-based approach to sustain biodiversity amid various anthropogenic threats.

Impact of China's marine governance policies on the marine ecological environment – A case study of the Bohai rim

In 2018, the Chinese government implemented the Action Plan for Comprehensive Management of the Bohai Sea(CMAP-BS) to improve the marine ecological environment in the Bohai rim. This study considered the Bohai rim as the research area to explore the impact of China's marine governance policies on the marine ecological environment and its mechanism of action. To this end, we used panel data of coastal provinces and municipalities from 2010 to 2020 and adopted a Differences-in-Differences model to analyse the impact of CMAP-BS on its marine ecological environment. Results of the baseline regression suggested that CMAP-BS can improve its marine ecological environment. To corroborate our findings, we further conducted a robustness test; the results were consistent. Heterogeneity analysis showed that the policy effect of CMAP-BS is more pronounced in areas with a better level of economic development than in those with less economic development. Further research and analysis showed that the improvement of the marine ecological environment can be achieved by adjusting the model of agricultural development.

The Blue Flag Award in South Africa: Raising Consciences and Influencing Beach Goers’ Decisions

In recent years, the tourism sector has experienced significant expansion, with the beach ecosystem emerging as the most popular destination for recreational and leisure pursuits. The proliferation of marine tourism activities has resulted in undeniable ecological consequences, including but not limited to the generation of solid waste, noise and air pollution, unattractive landscapes, and degradation of the coastal biome. The Blue Flag certification has been widely embraced by several coastal municipalities as a means of addressing the adverse environmental consequences that arise from tourism and recreational activities. The objective of this research is to evaluate the perceptions and level of awareness of beach visitors regarding the Blue Flag award, as well as determine if their selection of a beach destination is influenced by the Blue Flag standards. The study employed a quantitative methodology and gathered data, using convenience sampling, from beach visitors at nine Blue Flag beaches located in KwaZulu-Natal. The data were collected through a structured, self-administered questionnaire. The findings suggest that there is a dearth of awareness among beach visitors regarding the Blue Flag certification and that certain criteria associated with the award have an impact on their selection of beaches. The study is expected to yield significant advantages in enhancing and strengthening the Blue Flag certification program within the country at large. Additionally, it will promote the necessity of public environmental education and awareness regarding the award.

Can Florida’s Coast Survive Its Reliance on Development?

Problem, research strategy, and findings With its densely built coastline and economic and fiscal reliance on development, Florida is an extreme case of how climate change threatens both the built environment and urban land governance. We conducted one of the first statewide assessments of how sea level rise will affect Florida’s municipal revenues. We paired this with a statewide survey of coastal planners and managers to assess how they have been funding climate adaptation. We found that more than half of Florida’s 410 municipalities will be affected by sea level rise, exposing on average almost 30% of local revenues. Yet, though climate impacts will significantly stress local fiscal health, we found no relationship between cities’ prioritization of climate adaptation and their fiscal exposure. Takeaway for practice Municipal revenues will become increasingly eroded by climate impacts and market responses. More fiscally affected municipalities are comparatively smaller, Whiter, and wealthier. They may be better able to invest in near-term adaptations, but long-term sea level rise could erode local fiscal capacity to maintain infrastructure and protect local tax bases. These municipalities’ fiscal health and decline will affect regionwide housing markets, gentrification, and displacement. These dynamics underscore the need for stronger regional climate assessments and land and tax governance to overcome challenges facing coastal and near-coastal municipalities.

Fishers' communication as a critical factor for tuna catches and potential benefits of traceability draws small-scale Fishers to program

Traceability is the ability to determine the path of a product from purchase to consumption to determine when and where it originated. This paper aimed to determine the factors influencing fish catch among small-scale fishers in Davao Gulf and fishers' decision-making to participate in a tuna traceability program. This study was conducted in seven selected coastal municipalities around the Davao Gulf (Governor Generoso, Lupon, Malita, Santa Maria, Samal, Sta Maria, including Mati City) using semi-structured questionnaires with a total of N = 264 respondents. Survey results showed that socioeconomic (household size, years in community and fish catch sold and communication of fishers) and fisheries factors (number of fishing trips) influenced fishers' daily catch (P ≤ 0.05). While perceived benefits [β = 1.217 (S.E. = 0.572), X2 = 4.17 df = 1, P = 0.041] of tuna traceability to small-scale fishers could also influence the decision of fishers to participate in the implementation of a tuna traceability program. This study showed that the fishers were willing to be part of a traceability program that can sustain and increase the value of their fish catch (94% agreed) and help them export to premium markets. An important lesson from this study is that fishers’ communication may increase catch success which can then be documented under a traceability program. While perceived benefits of traceability can incentivize fishers to join such programs by having livelihood assistance (e.g. farm implements, fishing gear replacements, cash for work). This program has the potential to contribute to ongoing efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and improve fisheries management.

“Whose carbon is it?” Understanding municipalities role in blue carbon ecosystems management in Canada

Blue carbon ecosystems are marine vegetated ecosystems, such as mangroves, salt marshes, kelp forests and seagrass meadows, that naturally sequester and store atmospheric carbon in their deep sediments and biomass. Their ecosystem services extend from carbon capture and storage to coastline protection and flood mitigation, making their management and protection a form of nature-based solution (NbS) for climate change adaptation. However, these ecosystems are subject to degradation and destruction from coastal development and land use change, releasing sequestered carbon into the atmosphere. In Canada, although home to the largest coastline of any country in the world, neither federal nor provincial policy explicitly address the management or protection of blue carbon ecosystems, leaving them susceptible to these threats. Coastal municipalities, however, may play an important role in the current management and protection of blue carbon. Land-use planning decisions on the local level offer an opportunity to protect and conserve coastal ecosystems and the co-benefits these ecosystems provide offer a NbS to address many climate threats faced by coastal communities. This study examines the current and potential role of municipalities in the management, protection and/or restoration of blue carbon ecosystems for sustainable land-use planning practices and carbon pollution mitigation by interviewing municipal staff from coastal municipalities across Canada. Study results demonstrated municipal interest in blue carbon ecosystems for their tangible co-benefits, not carbon sequestration and storage capacity, and that restoring blue carbon ecosystems for living shoreline projects was the most common active management strategy at the local level. However, institutional capacity, a lack of jurisdictional clarity and uncertainty surrounding blue carbon were identified as barriers that hindered municipal engagement in active management strategies, largely restricting them to play a supportive role to blue carbon projects led by local environmental non-governmental organizations.

Hidden Threat: The Influence of Sea-Level Rise on Coastal Groundwater and the Convergence of Impacts on Municipal Infrastructure.

Sea-level rise (SLR) is influencing coastal groundwater by both elevating the water table and shifting salinity profiles landward, making the subsurface increasingly corrosive. Low-lying coastal municipalities worldwide (potentially 1,546, according to preliminary analysis) are vulnerable to an array of impacts spurred by these phenomena, which can occur decades before SLR-induced surface inundation. Damage is accumulating across a variety of infrastructure networks that extend partially and fully beneath the ground surface. Because the resulting damage is largely concealed and imperceptible, it is largely overlooked as part of infrastructure management and planning. Here, we provide an overview of SLR-influenced coastal groundwater and related processes that have the potential to damage societally critical infrastructure and mobilize urban contamination. In an effort to promote research efforts that can inform effective adaptation and management, we discuss various impacts to critical infrastructure and propose actions based on literature focused specifically on SLR-influenced coastal groundwater.

Exclusion and discrimination of the LGBTTTIQ+ community, in the labor market of Tonalá, Chiapas

Tonalá is a coastal municipality of Chiapas, with approximately 90,000 inhabitants, in which 49% are men and 51% women, recognized for its different business, commercial, restaurant and hotel activities, with conservative traditions, where people with different sexual attractions and inclinations known as the community (LGBTTTIQ+), are victims of discrimination, verbal and psychological aggression in the workplace. The main objective of this research is to determine the different problems that professionals have faced from the different work areas, hindering their standard of living, causing them moral damages due to the rejection they have faced. Generating the question: What level of exclusion and discrimination have they faced in the labor market for belonging to this community in the municipality of Tonalá? A case study was carried out in the local labor market, to graduates with an educational level of Bachelor's degree and who have or have had a formal job, all members of this community, based on structured interviews, in order to obtain direct and Detailed based on your work experience. The results have been surprising, since there is marked discrimination among professionals, from the moment they seek to enter the labor market and during development, since there are difficulties between acceptance of people with sexual diversity and respect for human rights and labor.

Influence of tourism on microplastic contamination at wastewater treatment plants in the coastal municipality of Chiclana de la Frontera

The tourism is one of the most important sources of the economy in the Bay of Cadiz. Specifically, the municipality of Chiclana de la Frontera, with a population lower than 90,000 citizens, located in the southeast of Spain. During the summer season the population duplicates leading to an increment in flow at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). These facilities have been reported as a source of microplastics (MPs) into marine ecosystems, therefore the aim of the present study is to investigate if the tourism affects the presence, discharge and in the receiving environment. Samples were taken at the influent and effluent of the municipal WWTPs (one located at the urban area and other located at resort area) during 2021 (including low and high season). MPs were collected and extracted from wastewater matrixes following the method recommended by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and UTS treatment to reduce organic matter and cellulose, respectively. The analysis of the samples was performed according to their abundance, shape, size, and type of polymer, along with the removal rates of MPs at WWTPs. The results showed heterogeneous MPs abundance ranging from 1246.4 to 345.7 MPs/L and 72.9 to 4.2, in the influent and effluent, respectively, increasing the presence of MPs at resort WWTP during high season. Fibers were the predominant shape within all the samples. A total of 17 polymers were identified, by ATR-FTIR, where Acrylates, PE and PA were the largest polymers found. Despite the high MPs retention performance of the WWTPs analyzed (84.1–99.3 %), a combined contribution of approximately 1.4 × 107–5.9 × 108 MPs/d to the aquatic environment was estimated. Finally, these results indicate that the increase of MPs in the wastewater at WWTP-B was related with the population increase as a consequence of summer tourism.

Insights for Sea Outfall Turbid Plume Monitoring with High-Spatial-Resolution Satellite Imagery Application in Portugal

Coastal municipalities and industries often discharge poorly treated wastewater into proximate marine and estuarine environments. The urban and/or effluent input can lead to eutrophication and lower water quality, as it holds high concentrations of nutrients and pollutants. One widely applied tool to increase effluent dispersion and direct it away from coastal areas, thus causing fewer impacts on human activities, is sea outfall. In Aveiro, Portugal, the São Jacinto sea outfall construction was completed in 1998; however, limited literature regarding the sea outfall’s monitoring using satellite data is available. The methodology in this study involved collecting four years’ worth (2016–2019) of satellite data to investigate visible traces of the interaction between the S. Jacinto sewage water mass and the Ria de Aveiro lagoon ecosystem using ocean color and spectral analysis, and producing new qualitative data regarding sea outfall plume dispersion monitoring through high-resolution Sentinel-2 imagery. The results showed a clear spectral signature of the sewage water mass, and a seasonal pattern was observed in which the plume was more evident in winter and autumn. Additionally, the coastal longshore current and the Aveiro lagoon’s runoff were able to restrict the marine outfall’s dispersion superficially. Ocean color data were revealed to be a factual and cost-effective tool to monitor the plume water. Finally, an exchange between the marine outfall water mass and Ria de Aveiro lagoon could happen in high tide under northern wind conditions. Therefore, it is important to monitor the water quality to ensure the coastal ecosystem’s good environmental state.

Community Validation of Threatened Species in Coastal Wetland Areas of Negros Occidental, Philippines

This research aims to identify threatened bird species in wetland areas and define temporal changes occurring among species based on local observations and experiences. Survey, ethnobiology workshops, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were approaches employed in the collection of primary data from the chosen participants residing in the coastal communities in Central Negros, Philippines. The threatened wetland bird species in these sites are generally perceived as “abundant” as indicated by their perceived common presence. The ten sites also shared two vulnerable species, Egretta eulophotes,locally known as as Tulabong by locals and Anas luzonica called Pato ilahas by the natives. The Numenius madagascariensis is considered endangered and eight near threatened bird species (IUCN Red list), Numenius arquata, Limnodromus semipalmatus, Charadrius peronii, Limosa limosa, Limosa lapponica, Tringa brevipes, Calidris ruficollis and Calidris ferruginea, were validated by locals in almost all of the study sites. However, some threatened species were observed to have disappeared and declined in these areas. An updated list of threatened species found in coastal wetland cities and municipalities in the central area of Negros Occidental was produced that shall serve as basis for crafting relevant programs to properly manage, conserve and develop these wetland areas.

Spatiotemporal implications of flooding on relocation risk in rural and urban coastal municipalities

The research on coastal hazards predicts substantial adverse impacts of chronic and episodic flooding on populated coastal areas. Despite the growing evidence about anticipated flood risks, many coastal communities are still not adapting. The observed disconnect between science on physical impacts and adaptation decision-making in part reflects stakeholders’ inability to envision the implications of these impacts on socioeconomic systems and the built environment in their jurisdictions. This inertia is particularly apparent in the discourse on flood-driven displacement and relocation. There is a lack of knowledge about direct and indirect flood impacts on community attributes and services that contribute to relocation decision-making. This study holistically evaluates the flood exposure on municipal features vital for socioeconomic stability, livelihoods, and quality of life across spatiotemporal scales. As such, it uses a more nuanced approach to relocation risk assessment than those solely focused on direct inundation impacts. It measures flood exposure of land use, land cover, and sociocultural and economic dimensions that are important drivers of relocation in selected rural and urban areas. The approach uses a 50-year floodplain to delineate populated coastal locations exposed to 2% Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP) storm surge projections adjusted for 2030, 2060, and 2090 sea level rise (SLR) scenarios. It then evaluates the potential impacts of this flood exposure on different types of land uses and critical socioeconomic assets in rural (Dorchester and Talbot Counties, Maryland, USA) and urban (Cities of Hampton, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA) settings. The results show that some urban land uses, such as open space, military and mixed-use, and rural residential and commercial areas, might experience significantly more flooding. There are also notable differences in the baseline flood exposure and the anticipated rate and acceleration in the future among selected communities with significant implications for relocation planning.

Municipal Plan for Integrated Solid Waste Management (MPI-SWM) in the state of Piauí: A portrait of Coastal Cities

The PMGIRS is an important instrument of the National Solid Waste Policy (PNRS) that articulates the management of municipal waste with the state plan and the latter, in turn, dialogues with the national plan. It is through the evaluation of the PMGIRS that the municipal manager detects whether the plan meets the requirements of the PNRS and which local actions (municipal scope) have been successful towards the goals of the municipal plan. The objective was to evaluate the PMGIRS of the coastal cities of Piauí, according to what the PNRS prescribes. To meet the objective, we used the instrument for this purpose, which is composed of twenty-one indicators and four indices. The indicators of the municipalities were mostly evaluated as bad and with rates below the recommended by the literature. In general, the instrument's indicators point to the difficulty of municipalities in complying with what the PNRS recommends. The study brings theoretical and managerial contributions. In the theoretical field, it broadens the understanding of the situation of coastal municipalities, part of the tourist route made up of three states, belonging to an environmental protection area, located in the northeast of Brazil, in relation to the local management of their waste. In the managerial field, the findings serve as a subsidy for the PMGIRS review and as an indicator, at the state level, for the formulation of actions that mobilize managers to prepare the local plan and/or encourage them to create intermunicipal consortia with a focus on the destination adequate waste.
 Keywords: Waste. Cities. National Solid Waste Policy.

Modeling Potential Damages of Hurricanes at the Facility Scale: A Case Study of Eglin Air Force Base

Tropical cyclones have intensified and are expected to strengthen throughout the 21st century due to climate change impacts. Storm intensification poses a serious threat to coastal municipalities and infrastructure that are not designed to withstand future wind and storm surge potential. Coupled modeling software has been widely used to replicate extreme weather events and simulate climate change effects to understand the magnitude of vulnerability coastal regions face. However, these studies are often conducted at too coarse resolutions to provide decision makers with actionable information for facility-level adaptation. This study addresses this limitation using a coupled modeling approach by simulating climate-intensified hurricane events at Eglin Air Force Base (AFB) along the Florida Panhandle. The study simulates hurricane impacts throughout the 21st century using multithreat projections of storm surge, sea-level rise, and wind intensification. Hazus Multi-Hazard software was used to simulate hurricanes at four threat horizons for five possible climate change scenarios. Storm hazard intensities were extracted at the facility level using geographic information system software to determine the spatiotemporal impact on Eglin AFB’s infrastructure. This analysis provides asset managers with likely intensities that buildings will experience and determine when and to what extent vulnerable facilities need to be made resilient. Results showed Eglin AFB could sustain between $773 million and $1.8 billion (2020 USD) in facility damage by the end of the century. This methodology can be applied to other coastal municipalities, provided adjustments are made to fit regional conditions and extremes, and could be used to inform infrastructure adaptation and development plans.