Edexcel Geography GCE Field Studies
The integrated coastal zone management is a goal that most countries are
involved. It is known that coastal zone is a complex system with a high degree
of long-term
environmental and socio-economic problems. Intergovernmental and intersectoral
administrations and departments are taken account, and it is usually a
fragmented
management. Spain has a powerful Spanish Shore Act, 1988, that allow develop
strong
strategies in order to implement integrated coastal zone management, ICZM.
Recently
European Union, EU, gave a tool for developing ICZM, European Parliament Council
Recommendation concerning the implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone
Management in Europe (Rec. 2002/413/CE of 30 May 2002). All of this is a good
opportunity for implementing ICZM for sustainable development. According with
present legislation and recommendation a new strategy will be plan in order to
implement ICZM based on national stocktaking and national strategies.
NATIONAL STOCKTAKING
Member States conduct or update an overall stocktaking to analyze which major
actors,
laws and institutions influence the management of their coastal zone. This
stocktaking
should:
(a) Consider (but not be limited to) the following sectors and areas: fisheries
and
aquaculture, transport, energy, resource management, species and habitat
protection,
cultural heritage, employment, regional development in both rural and urban
areas,
tourism and recreation, industry and mining, waste management, agriculture and
education;
(b) Cover all administrative levels;
(c) Analyze the interests, role and concerns of citizens, nongovernmental
organizations,
and the business sector;
(d) Identify relevant inter-regional organizations and cooperation structures,
and
(e) Take stock of the applicable policy and legislative measures.
It is needed ICZM stocktaking actors, laws, and institutions. The main coastal
zone
stakeholders are grouped by:
1. Institutions with executive powers at national, regional and local level.
2. Research institutions
3. Companies and business organisations
4. NGOs
Proceedings of Coastal Zone 07
Portland, Oregon
July 22 to 26, 2007
The most important coastal management laws are grouped by level, - European,
national, and regional -. It must be taken account the existing structures and
bodies for inter-regional cooperation. In this stocktaking the opinions of
stakeholders concerning the relevance of various sectors mentioned in the
Recommendation and regarding the main coastal problems are considered.
ICZM STRATEGY FOR SPAIN
Based on the result of the stocktaking, each Member State concerned, in
partnership
with the regional authorities and inter-regional organizations, as appropriate,
should
develop a national strategy or, where appropriate, several strategies, to
implement the
principles for integrated management of the coastal zone. These strategies might
be
specific to the coastal zone, or might be part of a geographically broader
strategy or
program for promoting integrated management of a larger area. The objectives of
the
national strategy are divided on strategic and specific.
The goals of strategic objectives are:
1. To improve the environmental, economic and social conditions of the coastal
zone and ensure use of its resources in accordance with the principles of
sustainable development.
2. To review and adapt the management and decision-making model in order to
incorporate the principles of Integrated Coastal Zone Management.
The specific objectives can be divided on:
1. Sustainable management of the interaction between the natural physical
processes and occupation of the coast, including implementation of urban
planning instruments.
2. Protection and recuperation of coastal ecosystems.
3. Optimization of the use of natural resources, including living and mineral
resources and renewable energy sources, with respect for the carrying capacity
of the system.
4. Security against the risk of environmental accidents and natural catastrophes
on
the coast.
5. Improved amenities for public use and accessibility to the coast in
accordance
with sustainability criteria.
6. Recuperation and promotion of cultural heritage associated with the coast.
7. Effective and systematic integration of environmental information and
knowledge in the decision-making process.
8. Coordination among the different administrative levels to facilitate
territorial
coherence and cohesion and defend the collective interest.
9. Transparency in the management process and effective participation in the
planning of actions.
10. Financial consolidation to guarantee the necessary technical and economic
resources.
In order to implement strategic and specific objectives different tools and
instruments
are needed. The instruments choose for develop ICZM strategy for Spain are:
Proceedings of Coastal Zone 07
Portland, Oregon
July 22 to 26, 2007
1. Master Plan for Coastal Sustainability (MPCS)
2. Sustainability Observatory for the Spanish Coast (CSO)
3. Agreements with coastal regions
4. National Coast Council (NCC)
5. Purchase of land for protection and restoration
6. Support for R&D in coastal areas
7. Education, continuous education and training activities for coastal managers
MASTER PLAN FOR COASTAL SUSTAINABILITY (MPCS)
The master plan for coastal sustainability is a Spanish Ministry of Environment
initiative for a rational and concerted action plan in order to guarantee
sustainable
development. The phases for MPCS are:
1. Characterization and diagnosis of the coastal environment
2. Drafting of proposal and alternative measures
3. Evaluation of propose measures
4. Drafting of the final plan
In all the four phases stakeholders participation is planned in order to develop
the
master plan. The plan is not still finished, but some advance works are carried
out. A
brief description of the Ebro delta plan and preliminary results will be shown
in this
paper. In figu4re 1 a location map is shown, it is presented the Ebro basin that
includes
all the aqr3ea with rivers reaching the delta area.
Figure 1.- Location map
MAP
Proceedings of Coastal Zone 07
Portland, Oregon
July 22 to 26, 2007
In figure 2 a detailed Ebro map is showed. It can b3e seen that open sea, bays
and rivers
features can be found in this area. An analysis in depth of impacts and
pressures was
made in order to characterize the Ebro delta area. In table 1 impacts and
pressures will
be shown.
IMPACTS PRESSURES
Coastal erosion and subsidence Regulation of Ebro river water levels
Eutrophication and loss of ecological
potential in saltwater marshes
Modification of the channel network and
influx of water and sediments into the rice
fields
Polluted, eutrophied bays with high rate of
silting
Excessive use of pesticides and fertilisers
Modification of river flow rate: saline
wedge intrusion and loss of water quality
Land occupation through development
Loss of riparian forest and vegetation Increased pressure of tourism
Reduction and fragmentation of natural
areas, habitats and communities
Deficit of infrastructures and facilities
Loss in quantity and quality of fishing
resources
Variable hydrological management that
has not been jointly agreed by all agents
Marine pollution
Table 1.- Impacts and pressures in Ebro delta area
In figure 2 it can be shown the vulnerability of the area. The risks associated
with Ebro
delta are:
1. Climate change
2. Loss of rice growing areas (the EU’s CAP 2013)
3. Unplanned and excessive urban growth in inappropriate areas
4. Risk associated with river dynamics: modification of water flow rates,
pollution
phenomena, and riparian degradation
5. Construction and implementation of new infrastructures without proper
evaluation of impact of strategic planning (marine wind farms, intensive
aquaculture, etc.)
Proceedings of Coastal Zone 07
Portland, Oregon
July 22 to 26, 2007
Figure 2.- Ebro Delta aerial picture
STRATEGIC LINES OF ACTION ACCORDING MPCS
As a conclusion some strategic lines of action, according with the Master Plan
for
Coastal Sustainability will be proposed:
1. Measures aimed at managing coastal regression
• Acquisition of land in areas prone to erosion and/or of elevated natural
value
• Proposal for coastal engineering measures to control or correct
phenomena of coastal erosion
• Proposal for tools for managing the public domain
2. Measures for controlling and managing pollution
• Programmes to restore water and sediment quality in salt marshes and
bays
• Plans for management and upgrading of hydraulic and water treatment
infrastructures
• Plans for environmental management in port areas
3. Measures aimed at protecting and restoring coastal systems
• Programmes for maintenance and restoration of areas of natural interest,
including wetlands, dune systems, beaches and bluffs. The action put
forth will strive towards the recovery of the functionality of said
ecosystems with regard to hydrology, ecology, and other aspects.
• Programmes for the restoration of sections under urban influence:
initiative to improve the network of treatment, control and elimination of
waste, correction of impacts derived from infrastructures (port zones,
etc.).
4. Measures addressing the protection of coastal landscape
• Programmes for the control of certain activities that generate an impact
on the coastal landscape: control of the extraction of dry construction
material along river courses and on beaches, dismantling of maritime
structures, etc.
• Proposal to improve the current characteristics of the coastal landscape:
programme for public acquisition of land, recovery of licences, custody
agreements with landowners, supramunicipal management agreements,
etc.