Sustainable Use Of Coastal Resources Research Articles

The past, present and future developments in mariculture in the coastal waters of mainland Tanzania

AbstractMarine coastal resources are crucial to Tanzania's socio‐economic development and are a lifeline for the livelihoods and incomes of coastal communities. This study provides an overview of the coastal development of mariculture in mainland Tanzania and suggests future development strategies. The review article covers extensive reports available through field interviews, government policy documents, library literature searches and field work carried out by the authors. Despite the immense potential of mariculture to improve food security for localcommunities, its development has been uneven. Specifically only seaweed farming has advanced to commercial‐scale production. Other mariculture activities, such as finfish farming (e.g. milkfish, silver pompano), shellfish farming (e.g. prawn, mud crab and half‐pearl) and sea cucumber farming, are underdeveloped and confined to small‐scale operations. Locally consumed finfish, such as milkfish and pompano, have not attracted investors out of fear that the recovery of investment may not be achieved due to the low prices offered in the market. In this context, the sustainable use of coastal resources through mariculture becomes paramount to alleviating poverty and facilitating controlled migration from rural to urban. This comprehensive review explores the historical evolution and current status of mariculture initiatives in the coastal waters of mainland Tanzania, which presents a crucial aspect of the socio‐economic development of the nation. With declining global capture fisheries production and a growing demand for fish protein, Tanzania has strategically embraced mariculture as a viable alternative. The article traced the development of mariculture since the 1970s, highlighting past and current initiatives managed by government agencies, non‐government organizations and the private sector. Notable successes, such as seaweed culture, are highlighted along with the challenges that hinder the growth of marine farming activities. The review integrates insights from a comprehensive survey in coastal Tanzania, focusing on mariculture activities and collecting information on people who have stopped such practices, elucidating reasons for quitting. By consolidating experiences from past and present mariculture initiatives, this review provides valuable guidance for decision‐making towards promoting sustainable mariculture that supports coastal communities while preserving marine biodiversity.

Preliminary Diagnosis of Integrated Coastal Management in Colombia

Over the years, a growing number of coastal areas around the world have been affected by the mismanagement and misuse of their natural resources, which has attracted the interest of countries to implement strategies that modify public policies to create actions with a sectoral focus towards the coastal zone, with achieving sustainable use of the seas and coasts. Colombia, being a megadiverse country due to the large number of coastal ecosystems that make it up, has been affected by environmental problems such as pollution, loss of biodiversity and damage to ecosystems due to construction and infrastructure. Due to the above, the objective of this research is to carry out a preliminary diagnosis, supported by a search for documents associated with integrated coastal management through the Google Scholar platform, in such a way that allows us, taking as a guide the decalogue of Barragán (2012), to know the current situation of the coastal areas of the Republic of Colombia. In the results we find that Colombia has policies that aim to implement the sustainable use of coastal resources, however, it does not have regulations that have Integrated Coastal Management as their main theme, which causes the competencies and institutions interested in contributing to the protection of natural resources do not have adequate legal support. On the other hand, relevant advances were found in terms of instruments related to Integrated Coastal Management as well as in education and sustainability, since initiatives for education and training have been implemented. Important advances have also been found in the knowledge and distribution of information in digital media. There are several universities that offer master’s and doctoral degrees with a focus on coastal management, but unfortunately the offer is not enough. Likewise, there are not enough financial resources for the implementation of integrated management, and although citizen participation is incipient, it is becoming more and more organized. Keywords: Politics, coastal zone, environmental problems, natural resources, Colombia.

Potential signals promoting behavior for coastal conservation: Conformity in small-scale fishing communities in the Philippines

Conservation and sustainable use of coastal resources is essential to sustain people’s lives, all the more so with small-scale fishermen whose livelihoods depend on those resources. In the course of pursuing conservation and sustainable use of coastal resources, participation of stakeholders is vital. This study aims at exploring any potential signals which might influence the pro-environmental behavior of residents, especially regarding marine and coastal conservation, taking small-scale fishing communities in the Philippines as a case study. Face-to-face questionnaires were conducted in two communities, which resulted in a total of 267 responses valid for analysis. Principal component analysis and multiple regression analysis were conducted to explore relationships between the potential signals and pro-environmental behavior regarding conservation of the coastal environment. This study found potentials that: i) the higher the conformity of residents to the communities, the more frequent their joining activities for coastal conservation might be, ii) positive perception of the current coastal environment and willingness to join coastal conservation activities tend to coexist, and iii) non-conformity could work on either side, i.e., not joining or regularly joining in coastal conservation activities. The importance of this study lies in having found that conformity exists and it might promote behavior for coastal conservation, though not strongly. An insight gained from this research, was that to promote residents’ joining activities for coastal conservation in fishing-communities, conformity of the residents to the communities might be utilized. At the same time, it should be noted that some residents with high non-conformity could be core actors for coastal conservation.

Perceptions of Sustainable Utilization of Coastal Resources in the Pangandaran Sub-District

This study aims to determine the Community's perception of the sustainability of resource use in Pangandaran District, Pangandaran Regency, West Java, 2022. The method used in this research is a survey method. The sampling technique used Accidental Sampling with a total of 50 respondents. Data collection use questionnaires and documentation techniques. Then the data was processed use the chi square method. The results showed that the sustainability of coastal resources in the Pangandaran District was classified as moderate, with a percentage of 48%. The factors that support the sustainable use of coastal resources include economic factors that have a calculated chi-square value of 15,089. Then, social factors have a calculated chi-square value that is 18, 163. Environmental factors also have a significant influence, namely by value. The calculated chi-square value obtained is 16,322 . These tree factor have degrees of freedom (df) = 6 where the chi-square tabel is 12,592. So as for decision making in the research method, it can be said that H0 is rejected and Ha is accepted which means that there is a relationship between coastal resources and economic, social and environmental factors. Other factors that affect sustainability are government policy information obtained by the Community and community understanding of the sustainable use of coastal resources. The results of the sustainable use of coastal resources will be correlated with applicable government regulations including related factors.

Understanding the behavioural gap between perceived and actual environmental behaviour: Investigating the clam-harvesting pattern in Hong Kong SAR, China

At every given site with conservation value, there is a dilemma between conservation and the use of natural resources. Here we describe the first in-depth investigation of the differences between perceived and actual behaviour in clam harvesting, with a view to determine a more sustainable approach to conserve a previously unprotected tourist and clam-harvesting site, Shui Hau, in Hong Kong. We assessed harvesting pressure by conducting a clam-harvest photographic survey and collected self-reported questionnaires in 2018. More than 90% of visitors per sampling day were assessed for the survey, resulting in 86 sets of completed questionnaires and clam harvest photographs, in which we counted the number of clams harvested and recorded the shell length of each clam. We found that the clam-diggers had high self-reported environmental attitudes and behaviour, and a higher new ecological paradigm score was associated with a better clam-digging related attitude and perceived clam-digging behaviour. The low correlation between self-reported behaviour and actual behaviour indicated that most clam-diggers had different concepts or definitions of the appropriate size of the clam harvest and the size of a mature clam, even though each digger reported that he/she had the highest level of environmental attitudes and behaviour. This differentiation may imply a transition problem between environmental attitudes and actual environmental behaviour. An effective management approach is needed to foster clam-diggers’ sense of biodiversity to embrace the long-term sustainable use of coastal resources.

Coastal Sustainable Development Studies in Latvia: Integrated Local Social-Ecological Systems Governance

Importance of sustainable coastal governance also in the Baltic sea region has been widely recognised and since such governance has to have integrative nature that requires horizontal cross-sectorial integration as well as involvement of all governance levels and subsequently organisation of vertical integration among the levels. Besides some succesfull local cases around Europe, mainly special outside projects based, there is to be recognized that the municipal integrated sustainable coastal governance has not been yet neither well and widely locally developed in practice nor sufficiently researched field in order to permit necessary design of adequate policy innovations. Practical development and local realisation of the municipal integrated coastal governance often encounters obstacles of the basic nature, e.g. because there are not sufficiently understood and applied cross- and trans-disciplinary approaches – studies and governance of the coastal territories as the complex social-ecological systems (SES). For understanding the process and structure of coastal governance, application of system thinking and system dynamics methods are to be emphasized as well. The paper demonstrates adaptation of coastal nature studies based System Analysis Framework (SAF) methodology for its application to coastal governance studies and general municipal governance system adjusting and upgrading towards coastal issues, what could be seen as the new step for SAF further planned developments. As the part of the EU BONUS programme BaltCoast project, the authors performed, including main stakeholders participation elements, the issue identification step, system definition and also a conceptual model building steps of the SAF methodology application in the particular, local governance innovations rich, case study territory – Salacgriva municipality in Latvia. Coastal governance problems in Latvia are especially relevant for rural coastal municipalities with limited administrative capacities and long and low populated coastline territories. The next SAF application steps will include development of coastal governance system scenarios using a systems modelling tool and the design and testing of complementary set of governance instruments as science-policy interface, that shall support sustainable use of coastal resources in the interests of coastal nature and culture protection, and local socio-economic development.

Potensi Sumberdaya Lamun Untuk Mendukung Pengembangan Wisata Di Pantai Mengiat Nusa Dua, Bali

Seagrasses have functions and roles as primary producers, biota habitats, bottom seawater stabilizers, sediment catchers, and nutrient recyclers. With the function of seagrass as a habitat of biota, it can provide economic opportunities to be utilized as a marine tourism, especially marine ecotourism. Marine ecotourism is a concept of sustainable use of coastal resources with environmental service system that prioritizes coastal natural resources as an object of service. This study aimed to identify the seagrass potency ecologically and socially and to formulate the seagrass management strategies to support tourism development in Nusa Dua. This study was conducted from January-March 2017 using observation and interview method. Observation method was used to define the condition of seagrass, fish species, and environmental parameters. Then Interview method was used to know social conditiion of Mengiat Beach and analyzed by SWOT to formulate the seagrass management strategies. The result showed, there were 6 species, i.e., Halophila ovalis, Cymodocea Halodule pinifolia rotundata, Syringodium isoetifolium, Thalassia hemprichii, and Thalassodendron ciliatum. The percentage of seagrass coverage at 5 stations tend to be low (5,639%-47,49%). Based on Tourism Suitability Indexes, Mengiat Beach in Nusa Dua is suitable (S2) for tourism activities with value 75,08%. The priority strategies are formulated from the SWOT matrix is applying under water garden in seagrass base on tourism planning.

Genetic diversity and gene flow among the giant mud crabs (Scylla serrata) in anthropogenic-polluted mangroves of mainland Tanzania: Implications for conservation

The rapidly growing coastal population in East Africa has led to increased exploitation of shellfish and incidences of habitat degradation. This study analysed fragments (554 base pairs) of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene and eight microsatellite loci from 199 DNA extracts of giant mud crabs collected from anthropogenic-polluted mangroves of mainland Tanzania in order to describe the patterns of genetic diversity and gene flow. Correlation and regression analysis showed that the measured indices of genetic diversity and connectivity are not associated with the reported levels of trace metal pollution. Both mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA did not show significant differentiation, suggesting that gene flow is high enough to counteract the effect of pollution on genetic diversity and differentiation. Apart from that, microsatellite DNA showed that mangroves in major coastal cities and mangroves affected by salt farming activities are associated with low effective population size compared to mangroves in protected areas. Since the human coastal population is expanding rapidly, measures should be taken to strengthen the existing marine parks and reserves and to promote sustainable use of coastal resources.

Assessment of Sustainable Use of Coastal Resources of Regional Waters Conservation Area Biak Numfor Regency, Papua Province, Indonesia

Efforts to exploit fish resources optimally, continuous and sustainable is an urgent demand for the greatest prosperity of the people, especially to improve the welfare of fishermen and fish farmers. The level of sustainable use of coastal resources in water conservation is very important, so that the utilization does not exceed the carrying capacity of the environment. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of sustainable use of coastal resources Biak Numfor, associated with the utilization of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism. The study was conducted in June to December 2015 and October to November 2016. The primary data obtained by interview and direct discussion through Focus Group Disscution (FGD) with fishermen community, tourist and tourist entrepreneurs as well as related officials in the Office of Fisheries and Marine Affairs, and Tourism Office of Biak Numfor Regency. Methods of data analysis approach sustainability analysis conducted by the method of MDS (Multi-Dimensional Scaling) with the help of software Rapfish. Based on the survey results revealed that the value of fisheries ordinated to achieve 57.66%, 44.80% aquaculture, and tourism 46.25%. With these achievements ordinated value, it can be concluded that the use of sustainable capture fisheries are still classified by the lever sustainability attributes include; the type of fishing gear, vessel types used and the catch per unit effort (CPUE). Meanwhile the relatively less sustainable aquaculture with the sustainability lever attributes include; cultivation technology, the number of business units with different types and species of fish. For tourism utilization is still considered less sustainable with levers sustainability attributes include the number of tourists, the type and number of amenities and facilities and infrastructure Keywords: Sustainability, utilization, waters conservation area (KKPD), MDS-Rapfish

GIS-based modelling of vulnerability of coastal wetland ecosystems to environmental changes: Comerong Island, southeastern Australia

ABSTRACT Al-Nasrawi, A.K.M.; Jones, B.G., and Hamylton, S. M., 2016. GIS-based modelling of vulnerability of coastal wetland ecosystems to environmental changes: Comerong Island, southeastern Australia. 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. 33–37. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Sustainable management of coastal zones has become a complicated issue. The majority of the human population lives along the coast, where their activities, together with a range of environmental changes, have altered the natural ecosystem processes and caused changes in coastal wetlands. To ensure sustainable use of coastal resources, a comprehensive set of modelling tools can help managers to make decisions. This study uses Comerong Island (southeastern NSW, Australia) as a case study to demonstrate the importance of modelling modifications to environme...

Molluscan Fauna in Bang Taboon Mangrove Estuary, Inner Gulf of Thailand: Implications for conservation and sustainable use of coastal resources

Molluscan fauna, dealt with diversity and abundance of gastropods and bivalves in Bang Taboon mangrove estuary, Inner Gulf of Thailand was investigated seasonally. Totally 3,337 individuals, representing 18 species (6 bivalves and 12 gastropods) with two dominant species, Assiminea brevicula and Tegillarca granosa . The mean density of overall molluscs was 11.79±0.47 n/m 2 , recorded in September. The highest value of diversity was 0.78±0.53, recorded in March. The most species-rich and individuals were recorded in the large mudflat within intertidal mangrove zone and formed a distinct community structure in the vegetated area at 15 cm depth. Results from the Analysis of the Similarity (ANOSIM) showed a clearly significant difference of species diversity and abundance at different areas, depths and seasons (P = 0.001). Although Bang Taboon estuary is impacted by human activities, the habitat remains an important nursery ground for numerous molluscs including many commercial species. The findings of this study can be taken as a base data that would help maximizing mangrove and fisheries resources conservation and utilization in a sustainable way in Bang Taboon estuary and adjacent areas in the inner Gulf of Thailand.

Assessment of South Sinai Coastal Vulnerability to Climate Change

ABSTRACT Hereher, M.E., 2015. Assessment of South Sinai coastal vulnerability to climate change. Coastal vulnerability assessment is important to help achieve the sustainable use of coastal resources and to incorporate coastal hazards into coastal planning and decision making for integrated management. This study applied the coastal vulnerability index (CVI) to delineate susceptibility of the South Sinai coastline to climate change. The following variables pertaining to inherent shoreline characteristics were used in the assessment of the CVI: coastal slope, coastal geomorphology, fauna/flora, and socioeconomic factors. GIS and remote sensing analysis were employed to extract intrinsic attributes of the coast in this study area. Results showed that about one half of the 635-km-long coastline is exposed to high and very high coastal vulnerability to climate change, and global warming could exacerbate biologic suffering in the region. The Gulf of Suez is likely to be more vulnerable than the Gulf of Aqaba. ...

Resourceless victims or resourceful collectives: Addressing the impacts of climate change through social capital in fringing coastal communities

This paper explores how social capital can influence the sustainable use of coastal resources amidst climate change in the East African cities of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam. It uses a conceptual model underpinned by social capital theory to help explain process that may be involved in potentiating resources to effectively respond to local changes. The paper is part of a larger study, which used an eclectic mix of in-depth, exploratory and robust data collection techniques, resulting in data that were both qualitative and interpretative. The actual case study involved four coastal resources user groups in Mombasa and Dar es Salaam, with membership ranging from 40 to 60 people per group. The paper finds a tendency by local resource users to self-organise through negotiated social practices, which are better suited, to respond to changes in local conditions. The social capital resource that these local actors bring into the management of resources is too significant to overlook, especially in the face of the uncertainties surrounding future changes in climate. Consequently, the use of coastal resources in cities in low income countries require workable approaches that privilege local actions, including social capital. The import of these findings is that, local practices of coastal resource management and use should be a part of humanity’s wealth of adaptations that can serve both present and future sustainability needs, particularly so in the face of the expected impacts of climate change.

Feeding Patterns Of Resident Fishes In Thai Mangrove Estuary: Implications For Conservation And Sustainable Use Of Coastal Resources

Seasonal dietary patterns, dietary attributes and trophic guild structure of 12 resident fishes inhabiting the Mae Klong mangrove estuary, inner Gulf of Thailand were examined.Relative diet composition was described by the points method. Measurements were made also of gut fullness, vacuity index and diet breadth. Interspecific variations in diet were described by Bray Curtis coefficients and grouped, based on similarity coefficients, into eight feeding guilds. Of these, most diets were dominated by sergestid shrimp, zooplankton, phytoplankton, benthic invertebrates, shrimp, polychaete, fish and insect.Zooplankton was the most common dietary item by all fishes examined (25.2%). Food intake was low for most fish with fullness values of 0.58 to 2.07. Vacuity index rangedfrom 4.70 to 58.23 among species, with indices for most species >20. Overall diet breadth was relatively low among species and ranged from 0.13 for Aspericorvina jubata to 0.46 for Dendrophysa russelli. There was a clearly significant difference in the percentage composition of food items among seasons (P=0.001). The results from this study can serve as a reference for feeding ecology of fish in the Mae Klong estuary and in sustainable use and management of fisheries resources in the area.Keywords: seasonal pattern, dietary attribute, trophic guild, resident fishes, Thai mangrove

Métiers, effort and catches of a Mediterranean small-scale coastal fishery: The case of the Côte Bleue Marine Park

The overexploitation of fishery resources has led to a major fisheries crisis. In this context, artisanal fisheries, and in particular small-scale coastal fisheries, appear as relevant alternatives for a sustainable use of coastal resources. Marine Protected Areas (MPA) are more and more used as management tools for these fisheries, as protection effects and targeted access regulations may benefit to commercial fishers. Managers and scientists need then quantitative information not only to adapt their management to the fishing activity present on their territory, but also to estimate the effects of MPA management on it. This study provides catch and effort estimates that are essential for appraising and managing the artisanal fishery in the Côte Bleue Marine Park (CBMP), a French Mediterranean MPA including two No-Take Zones of different age and size. A field protocol was defined and implemented between July 2009 and June 2010 within the CBMP. Seven métiers were identified and characterized by target species, gear type, fishing grounds and fishing periods. During the one-year studied period, 3512 fishing trips and 4645 fishing operations were performed by 30 active boats in the Côte Bleue fishing territory, amounting to 9500km of immersed nets. In total, approximately 130tons of catch were landed in the six CBMP harbors, out of which 58% depend on the three main species caught on the Côte Bleue: hake (Merluccius merluccius), gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and common sole (Solea solea). The presented methodology could be part of a long term monitoring requiring close collaboration with local fishers. It enables adaptive management with respect to changes in fishing pressure (from inside and outside the MPA) that may impact the environment and its resources.

Physical damage to coastal dunes and ecological impacts caused by vehicle tracks associated with beach camping on sandy shores: a case study from Fraser Island, Australia

As coastal populations expand, demands for recreational opportunities on beaches and coastal dunes grow correspondingly. Although dunes are known to be sensitive to direct human disturbance and provide irreplaceable ecosystem services (e.g. erosion control, critical habitat and nesting sites), dunes serve as campsites for large numbers of people (∼90,000 p.a.) on the ocean-exposed shores of Fraser Island, Australia. Campsites are located in the established dunes and can only be accessed with 4WD vehicles along tracks cut directly from the beach through the foredunes. Here we quantified the extent of physical damage to foredunes caused by this practice, and tested whether human-induced physical changes to foredunes translate into biological effects. Of the 124 km of ocean-exposed beaches, 122 km (98%) are open to vehicles driven on the beaches, and camping zones cover 28.7 km or 23% of the dunes. A total of 235 vehicle tracks are cut across the foredunes at an average density of eight tracks per km of beach. These tracks have effectively destroyed one-fifth (20.2%) of the dune front in camping zones, deeply incising the dune-beach interface. There is evidence of accelerated erosion and shoreline retreat centred around vehicle tracks, resulting in a “scalloping” of the shoreline. No dune vegetation remains in the tracks and the abundance of ghost crabs (Ocypode spp.) is significantly reduced compared with the abutting dunes. Because current levels of environmental change caused by dune camping may not be compatible with the sustainable use of coastal resources and conservation obligations for the island (listed as a World Heritage Area and gazetted as a National Park), restoration and mitigation interventions are critical. These will require spatial prioritisation of effort, and we present a multi-criteria ranking method, based on quantitative measures of environmental damage and ecological attributes, to objectively target rehabilitation and conservation measures. Ultimately, coastal management needs to develop and implement strategies that reconcile demands for human recreation, including beach camping, with conservation of coastal dune ecosystems.

マングローブ林とサンゴ礁が併存する島嶼沿岸域の漁業と海洋環境

This research was carried out in 2005 and 2006 in the coastal area of eastern Viti Levu, Republic of the Fiji Islands, where coral reefs and mangrove forests coexist. The aim is to study the relationship between the marine environments, the biodiversity of marine industrially important species and the fisheries at the community level. Twenty one families, 22 genuses, 33 species of fish and 8 families, 9 genuses, 11 species of mollusks were caught by the local people in this area. Salinity in the mangrove area was lower than in the coral reef area. Carbon-based biomass and its composition in the zooplankton community were also different in both areas. Fishing methods used were net fishing, hand line fishing, and spear fishing for fish and gleaning on the tidal flat to find a siphon of bivalve. In this area, traditional fishing techniques were used and the healthy natural environment conditions existed, and these might contribute to maintain the high biodiversity level of fish and mollusks. In the further sustainable use of coastal resources, community based resource management and ecosystem based co-management are important.

Trade and export orientation of fisheries in Southeast Asia: Under-priced export at the expense of domestic food security and local economies

Much of Southeast Asia's economic success is based on the under-priced export of valuable natural resources. Nowhere is this more evident than in fisheries—an important commodity in Southeast Asia, with significant export volumes contributing to the foreign exchange earnings of these countries. Existing fisheries and aquaculture policy development have lead to increased export earnings over the last decade, but have also resulted in increased extraction rates and incurred huge costs in terms of decreased local economic productivity and destruction of natural coastal resources. What is worrying is that Southeast Asian governments intend to further stimulate the export of fishery products, in particular shrimp from aquaculture, thereby increasingly threatening both domestic food security and the economic opportunities of local communities. This paper argues that: (1) current fisheries management and development policies are not contributing to domestic food security, are not profitable to the Southeast Asian macro-economy, and are doing much damage to coastal ecosystems and rural poor communities; (2) development of shrimp aquaculture has a negative impact and further expansion of the industry should be halted; (3) the considerable fisheries resources of the region should be used and managed to ensure domestic food security and economic development of the presently marginalized sectors of the population. Five recommendations that will help ensure sustainable use of coastal resources and deliver profits to the countries and communities that depend on these resources are made at the end of the paper.

Land use/land cover changes near HAzira Region, Gujarat using remote sensing satellite data

Human activities have great influence on fragile coastal ecosystem. For sustainable use of coastal resources it is very important to understand land use/land cover changes and its implications on coastal systems. Remote sensing data because of its synoptic, multispectral and multi temporal nature can be a very good source for mapping, monitoring and understanding these changes. IRS LISS III sensor data were used to find out the rate of land use/land cover changes in Hazira area near Surat, Gujarat. Because of major industrial activities it has become a hot spot area which requires regular monitoring. In the present study, land cover information of the period 1970–1972 from the Survey of India topographical maps, and satellite data of the year 1989 and 1999–2002 have been used and visual analysis has been carried out to measure the land use/land cover changes. Erosion and deposition has been observed around the newly constructed jetty. Forest area and agriculture area is found to decreased, whereas built-up area has increased.

Interactions and feedbacks among phytobenthos, hydrodynamics, nutrient cycling and sediment transport in estuarine ecosystems

Phytobenthic communities can play an active role in modifying the environmental characteristics of the ecosystem in which they live so mediating the human impact on Coastal Zone habitats. Complicated feedbacks couple the establishment of phytobenthic communities with water quality and physical parameters in estuaries. Direct and indirect interactions between physical and biological attributes need to be considered in order to improve the management of these ecosystems to guarantee a sustainable use of coastal resources. Within the project F-ECTS (“Feedbacks of Estuarine Circulation and Transport of Sediments on phytobenthos”) this issue was approached through a three-step strategy: (i) Monitoring: detailed fieldwork activities focusing on the measurement and evaluation of the main processes involving hydrodynamics, sediments, nutrients, light and phytobenthic biomass; (ii) Modeling: joint modeling of the suspended particulate matter erosion/transport/deposition and biological mediation of the hydrodynamics and (iii) GIS: development of GIS-based practical tools able to manage and exploit measured and modeled data on the basis of scientific investigation guidelines and procedures. The overall strategy is described by illustrating results of field measurements, providing details of model implementation and demonstrating the GIS-based tools.