Ecological and Cultural Ecosystem Services in Coastal Areas

Coastal areas provide various benefits through regulating, provisioning, and cultural ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, protection from coastal erosion, recreation, and ecotourism [1]. They also support a unique biodiversity, which includes endangered species requiring conservation measures [2,3]. Achieving the balanced and sustainable management of coastal areas necessitates interdisciplinary approaches that integrate ecological, economic, and governance-related aspects. Additionally, incorporating cultural ecosystem service education is essential for favoring positive perceptions and values associated with coastal areas [4].

Science can play a crucial role in sustainable coastal management by bridging the gap between conceptual models and tangible applications [5]. The development of socio-ecological indicators for sustainable coastal tourism [6], the contribution of citizen science in coastal biodiversity monitoring [7], and the ecosystem services assessment for integrated coastal spatial planning [8] are valuable examples of how applied research can offer concrete solutions.

The Special Issue “Ecological and Cultural Ecosystem Services in Coastal Areas”, published in the journal Land, includes nine contributions (eight research articles and one review) in line with the above-mentioned directions.

A set of three articles focused on plant studies, performed through surveys, cartographic analysis, and remote sensing. The study by Compagnone et al. (List of Contributions) implemented a citizen science approach supported by the iNaturalist project called Wild Coast CASCADE to monitor biodiversity in the central Italian Adriatic coast. Between 2020 and 2023, 3784 records covering 742 species were collected, with 81% meeting the “research grade criteria”. The results underline the potential of citizen science for biodiversity conservation and emphasize the importance of public engagement in conservation efforts. Sciandrello et al. (List of Contributions) examined the state of the preservation of coastal wetlands in the Mediterranean area, specifically the “Saline di Priolo” Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in southeastern Sicily (Italy). Their aim was to provide in-depth knowledge on the natural vegetation through phytosociological surveys and on coastal landscape changes over time by means of a cartographic analysis. The authors concluded that, although they could identify three new plant associations, including two in wetlands and one in rocky coast environments, they recorded a significant reduction in wetland habitats over the last 70 years and a strong alteration of the ecological succession of psammophilous-hygrophilous vegetation. Norlin et al. (List of Contributions) determined the current distribution of Chamaecyparis thyoides (L.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb. (Atlantic White Cedar) in an area experiencing higher-than-average sea level rising (southern New Jersey, USA) by employing a combination of field investigations, aerial photo interpretation, and satellite data to develop a species distribution model. The model provided a transferable framework for mapping the Atlantic White Cedar and highlighted the importance of including remotely sensed data in species distribution models.

Two articles explored the evaluation of coastal ecosystem services. Veidemane et al. (List of Contributions) operationalized the ecosystem services approach for the integrated assessment and mapping of coastal cultural ecosystem services, to provide evidence for sustainable tourism development in the Southwestern Kurzeme coastal area (Latvia). Through an interdisciplinary approach, combining methods from landscape ecology and social sciences, they could identify the main perceived well-being benefits that people gain from coastal areas, highlighting different stakeholder perspectives. Schernewski et al. (List of Contributions) discussed the role of ecosystem services in supporting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for two navigation waterway-deepening projects: the Warnow Estuary in Germany and the Szczecin Lagoon in Poland. The authors conducted expert- and data-based ecosystem service assessments and performed 3D ecosystem model simulations to evaluate the environmental and societal consequences of waterway deepening. The results show that waterway deepening increased nutrient burial in sediments, but had minor overall impacts on the ecosystems. The expert-based assessments highlighted the relevance of cultural services and suggested that these assessments could complement EIAs by improving stakeholder communication and reducing conflicts.

Two articles employed the coupling and coordination models to assess coastal sustainable development. Zou et al. (List of Contributions) assessed the coupling and coordination between the coastal ecosystem and economy to achieve sustainable development in urban agglomerations, using the Pearl River Delta (China) as a case study. By means of remote sensing and statistical data, the researchers built a balanced development model depicting the ecological dynamics and the socio-economy in the Pearl River Delta region. Li et al. (List of Contributions) calculated the coastal ecological carrying capacity (CECC) of Shandong Province (China) and its significance for sustainable development. Using multi-source data and ecological analysis models (including coupling and coordination models), the authors also identified key factors influencing the CECC, including the per capita GDP, environmental protection investment, and per capita water resources. Concrete measures such as promoting water conservation, upgrading marine industries, and enhancing regional cooperation were offered to improve the CECC.

Liang et al. (List of Contributions) assessed the impact of land-based anthropogenic activities, such as land reclamation and industrialization, on the macrobenthic community in the intertidal zones of Anmyeon Island (South Korea). Remote sensing analyses and macrobenthic sample collection allowed a Remote Sensing Ecological Index, four traditional diversity indices, and two taxonomic distinctness indices to be applied. The results show that the western stations, characterized by sandy beaches, had higher species abundance compared to the eastern stations, which were influenced by shellfish farming and agricultural wastewater.

Finally, in their review, Zhao et al. (List of Contributions) first explored the concept of cultural ecosystem services in coastal areas, emphasizing their role in connecting natural ecosystems with human society and promoting sustainable development. Then, they identified trends in coastal cultural ecosystem services research, noting an increase in publications since 2009, with a significant rise after 2018. They also highlighted the importance of integrating multi-source data, interdisciplinary development, and incorporating cultural ecosystem services into policy making.

The Special Issue “Ecological and Cultural Ecosystem Services in Coastal Areas” offers nine valuable papers that, although different from each other, share the common goal of offering approaches for balancing coastal protection and management through tools and methodologies supported by the ecosystem services framework. The papers are authored by researchers from around the world, highlighting the international scope of contemporary coastal research. They showcase research conducted in China, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Poland, South Korea, and the USA. This Special Issue promotes interdisciplinary research that integrates methods from plant ecology, landscape ecology, and the social sciences. It seeks to inspire researchers to find optimal solutions for mitigating the risks associated with unsustainable coastal land use and to encourage sustainable landscape management in the context of climate change.