Browsing by Author "Calado, Helena"
Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Aligning socio-economic and governance criteria to support better integration marine spatial planning, marine protected areas and other conservation approachesPublication . Pegorelli, Camila; Sanabria, Javier García; Andres, Maria de; Onetti, Javier Garcia; Lees, Liisi; Calado, Helena; Gutierrez, DéboraConnecting Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), which adopts a broader management approach, with Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which focus on environmental conservation, is essential to ensure coherence between these instruments operating within the same marine space. To achieve this, a set of criteria encompassing socioeconomic and governance dimensions was analyzed. However, there is often a lack of comprehensive knowledge regarding these aspects, which could support the design, implementation and monitoring of MSP and MPAs. Addressing this gap, this research aims to develop and provide criteria to support managers/policy makers in integrating MSP and MPA processes within marine planning frameworks. The methodology is structured around three steps: (1) screening and grouping of key socio-economic and governance criteria derived from relevant policy documents; (2) expert evaluation of their relevance to MSP and MPAs; and (3) correlation analysis to explore the relationships between criteria prioritization across different types of spatial management, and to identify trends, therefore potential synergies/opportunities. The results show a different correlation between MSP and different types of MPAs, suggesting that tailored approaches may be required to address the conservation targets within the scope of MSP. More specifically, there is a moderate negative correlation, in terms of socioeconomic criteria, between MSP and strict MPA, that is not observed between MSP and multiple-use MPAs. Although implemented on different scales, marine planning tools can work together to achieve their objectives if tailored to the specific socioeconomic dimension of the territory, with governance aspects such as adaptive management and stakeholder engagement serving as key elements in both processes. By framing ecosystems as social-ecological systems, the study demonstrates that socio-economic criteria can act as a bridge between sustainable development and conservation, therefore supporting the development of the Ocean European Pact and the revision of the MSP Directive.
- A critical approach to existing management perspectives in Scuba Diving: A step in defining ecological carrying capacityPublication . Hipólito, Cláudia; Gonçalves, Jorge Manuel Santos; Gonçalves, Jorge; Calado, HelenaThere are a considerable number of studies reporting the negative impacts of recreational diving and their causes, yet there is a gap in the information regarding the aspects of activity management. This paper presents a systematic approach to the management measures found in the literature. A large part of the measures identified address stakeholders’ awareness, data on the activity, and implementing adapted management measures. Stakeholders need to be integrated into the entire process of managing the activity because they are the target for correcting actions. A knowledge gap of the evaluation of the “ecological carrying capacity” of dive sites exists, along with a lack of methods for its assessment. This study informs future steps on the development of an integrated management and monitoring model that encompasses the assessment of ecological carrying capacity in further research. It also brings a vision of sustainable management of the recreational diving activity by advancing the conceptual framework of scuba diving and tourism integrated management.
- Navigating trade-offs on conservation: the use of participatory mapping in maritime spatial planningPublication . Calado, Helena; Gutierrez, Débora; Bruyn, Albane DeMaritime spatial planning (MSP) has evolved to incorporate features like authoritative, participatory, ecosystem-based, integrated, future-oriented, and adaptive approaches. MSP seeks a balance between maritime activities and sustainable development within ecological limits, an ecosystem-based approach (EBA). A trade-off in the context of MSP refers to the compromise or exchange between different objectives, interests, or uses of marine resources and space. The aim of this paper is to provide methodological guidelines for applying a trade-off methodology for marine protected areas (MPAs) design within the MSP context. The guidelines have developed participatory-based trade-off scenarios to weigh the impacts of the multi-objective spatial and strategic management measures, using participatory mapping, providing a valuable framework for design of MSP and MPAs. The lessons learned and recommendations provided aim to guide future MSP endeavours, emphasising the importance of continuous improvement, innovation, and adaptation in the dynamic field of MSP for sustainable marine management and conservation.
- Strategic scenarios for maritime spatial planning in an European outermost region—The case of the AzoresPublication . Calado, Helena; Vergílio, Marta; Caña-Varona, Mario; Pegorelli, Camila; Hipólito, Cláudia; Silva, Aida; Carreira, Gilberto; Paramio, Maria; Papaioannou, EvaThe Maritime Spatial Planning process plans towards a desired future (Vision/Goal). Such vision is usually an integration of various aspirations from different stakeholders and sectors that depend on the related policy/ governance framework. In this sense, a tool such as scenario-building is of paramount importance to MSP once it helps decision-makers visualize the future that might unfold due to specific the actions/policies needed to make such a future more likely to happen. Along these lines, this work presents the methodology and results of the scenario building process developed and applied in the Macaronesia Maritime Spatial Planning (MarSP) project, for the Autonomous Region of Azores. The methodology is structured in four main steps: (i) setting MSP ob jectives based on policy review and following stakeholders’ inputs; (ii) identifying key objectives after consul tation with regional experts; (iii) developing scenario storylines; and (iv) balancing across scenarios based on feedback from stakeholders’ engagement. Three main pre-established scenarios were developed, balancing the pillars of sustainable development, namely: “Blue Society,” “Blue Growth”, and “Blue Development”. In a consultative and participatory process, the three scenarios were later modified and validated, integrating the preferences of stakeholders, being the most voted (preferred) scenario “Blue Development”. Results highlight the importance of applying a participatory approach to scenario building in MSP to understand the preferences and expectations of different stakeholders. The methodology can be relevant and adjustable to other regions, tailored to specific settings, in support of decision making towards an adaptive MSP process.