A wider view of assessments of ecosystem services in coastal areas : the perspective of social-ecological complexity

This research was carried out under the framework of POLICLIMA project (CSO2016-76842-C2-1-R). The first author was supported by a PhD grant (FI-2017) from the Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris. The second author was supported by Ramón y Cajal contract (RYC-2013-13392) from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad.Through complex interactions and feedback processes between coastal ecological and social components at different temporal and spatial scales, coastal environments coproduce a range of ecosystem services (ES) and benefit different social groups. In these highly populated areas, multiple actors, interests, and activities coexist, leading to intensified conflicts between stakeholders. The research presented here aims to understand how coastal social-ecological complexity is studied within coastal ES literature. A systematic review of the literature consisting of 199 manuscripts was performed using the PRISMA method (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). The results show that coastal ES research has been focused on understanding ecological processes for ES provision and value. Hence, coastal ES studies fall short of considering the social components and social-ecological interactions of coastal systems: ES flows, demand, coproduction, power relations, institutions and governance, temporal and spatial scales, value pluralism, uncertainty, and human well-being multidimensions and distribution. The partial integration of social-ecological complexity within coastal ES research limits coastal ES management because nonlinear interactions among social and ecological components are not well understood, particularly stakeholders' relations, their roles, and the links to ES. Finally, we propose a conceptual framework that integrates the gaps identified during the review. The framework places coproduction and power relations as the core factors of assessments of coastal ES, as means to understand complex, nonlinear social-ecological interactions and feedback processes. Hence, it also provides necessary tools to address normative issues of coastal management such as control, access, trade-offs, and benefits

A System of Integral Quality Indicators as a Tool for Beach Management

Esta tesis parte de la concepción de la playa como un sistema integral en el que se desarrollan procesos interrelacionados. El análisis de estos procesos y del marco físico y administrativo donde se producen, es el hilo conductor del proyecto. Para realizar el estudio, se han analizado los procesos de las playas de la Selva Marítima, en el Sur de la Costa Brava (al Nordeste del Mediterráneo). La zona constituye un buen ejemplo de un área litoral altamente afectada por el turismo. El análisis del marco legal y administrativo ha revelado algunas carencias importantes. No existe una política específica de playas que contemple la gestión de los aspectos básicos de gestión. La consecuencia de ello es que la información que se dispone sobre las playas españolas es bastante parcial. Actualmente, en el marco de la Gestión Integrada de Zonas Costeras (GIZC), se están desarrollando estrategias (nacional/regional) que incluyen indicadores de procesos que hasta la fecha actual no han sido objeto de programas de monitoreo y que pueden corregir esta tendencia.La revisión de las herramientas de gestión de playas utilizadas o potencialmente utilizadas en la gestión de la zona de estudio (Bandera Azul, Índice del CEDEX, Índice de CANTABRIA, Índices del ACA) ha revelado algunas deficiencias que son importantes para la gestión de estas playas: el uso, la seguridad y el socorrismo, el paisaje, la comunidad natural o algunos servicios, son los más importantes. Además, dichas herramientas no integran el análisis de las funciones que debe asumir una playa de acuerdo con sus características. Por otro lado, desde hace unos años se están utilizando los Sistemas de Gestión Medioambiental (SGMA) para la gestión de playas. Los SGMA son una buena herramienta de gestión de playas porque permiten una gestión proactiva y ordenada, pero necesitan ser complementados con herramientas de monitoreo adecuadas. En este trabajo también se han analizado el enfoque y los problemas que tienen los gestores locales. El conocimiento de la información disponible y las características de la zona de estudio ha llevado a analizar los procesos más importantes en la gestión de playas: la frecuentación y la producción de residuos. La información obtenida en el desarrollo de este proyecto ha permitido elaborar un índice de calidad de playas para la zona de estudio. Este Índice incorpora los aspectos importantes, ausentes en otras herramientas de gestión. En la asignación de importancias, para la agregación de índices parciales se ha tenido en cuenta la opinión de los usuarios y expertos. El Índice ha sido diseñado para ser incluido en el marco de los SGMA e incluye el análisis de las Funciones. Puede ser usado en distintas fases del SGMA. Las más importantes son el Diagnóstico Medioambiental Inicial, la definición de los Aspectos Medioambientales Significativos, el Control Operacional y la evaluación de la Mejora Continua. Los resultados del Indicador, de los sub-indices y los índices parciales obtenidos para la zona de estudio, indican distintas situaciones. Los valores agregados son altos: para el BQI (0,63-0,85) y para los indicadores de las funciones, RF (0,53-0,73), NF (0,80-0,92) y PF (0,50-1). En el caso de los valores de los indicadores parciales, mientras algunos procesos como la calidad del agua, la calidad ambiental, las instalaciones y los servicios, las actividades, la confortabilidad, la ausencia de contaminación en el agua y en la arena, y la calidad física, se encuentran en buen estado, otros como el uso de la playa, la calidad del entorno, la seguridad y la componente natural, tienen valores bastante bajos. La futura gestión de las playas debe dirigirse al control del uso, de la transformación del entorno de la playa y a la preservación de la comunidad natural de las playas. Además, la dotación de recursos que garanticen la seguridad y asistencia de los usuarios, la protección de las infraestructuras y la limpieza de las playas debe ser también prioritaria.This thesis stemmed from the idea that the beach is an integrated system where different and interconnected processes occur. The analyses of these processes and of the physical and administrative framework in which they occur, was the thread of the project. In the development of the study, the processes for the beaches of La Selva Marítima, located in the south of the Costa Brava (northwestern Mediterranean) were analysed. This area is a good example of a coastal area highly affected by tourism dynamics. The analysis of the legal and administrative framework uncovered some important shortcomings. No specific beach policy exists that accounts for the management of all basic aspects. As a consequence, the information available is partial. Strategies (national/regional) are currently being developed in the framework of the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) strategy, including indicators of processes that, until now, have been excluded from monitoring programs. This may change the current situation of a lack of information. A review of beach assessment measurements (Blue Flag and CEDEX, ACA and CANTABRIA Index) used or potentially used for management of the studied area, revealed important deficiencies in the management of beaches, of which the most important were use, safety and rescue services, landscape, the natural community and certain services. Furthermore, these tools do not take analyses of beach functions into account. In recent years, Environmental Management Systems for Beaches (EMSBs) have begun to be used for beach management. EMSBs allow for the application of proactive and clear management practices, although they need to be complemented with adequate monitoring tools. This research also analysed the work, focus and problems of local managers. Varied management goals are not usual (many processes remain unmanaged) and management is sometimes exclusively service-oriented. Tools that evaluate beach quality do not cover problematic aspects for local managers, such as sediment management, coordination between responsible authorities, or emergency situations. The information available and the characteristics of the studied area demonstrated the need to analyse two particularly important beach management processes: beach use and waste/litter production. Information obtained in the development of this project led to the creation of a Beach Quality Index (BQI) for the studied beaches. This index took into account important issues not represented in other management tools. In the process of allocating weights for the purpose of aggregating partial indexes, user and expert opinions were taken into account. The BQI, which also took account of function analysis, was designed to be used with EMSBs, and can be included at different EMSB stages. The most important index factors are initial environmental diagnosis, the definition of environmentally significant aspects, operational control, and the assessment of steady improvement. Results obtained for beaches for the BQI, its subindices and partial indices, indicated arrange of situations. Aggregated values were high for the BQI (0.63-0.85), and also for the subindices (RF (0.53-0.73), NF (0.80-0.92) and PF (0.50-1)). High scores were typically obtained for partial indices such as water quality, environmental quality, services and facilities, activities, comfort, absence of water and sand pollution, and physical quality. Scores for beach use, surrounding quality, safety, and naturality were low. Future management of studied beaches should focus on the weakest aspects, such as controls over use, transformation of beach environs, and preservation of natural beach communities. Other priorities should be the allocation of resources that guarantee user safety, protection of human facilities, and beach cleaning.Postprint (published version

El soft law como parámetro formal de la vehiculación de los Derechos Humanos en el derecho positivo

In this paper’s pages, we focus on analysing the formal aspects of the laws which contain and try to enforce a Human Right. We hold that the called “soft law” can be understood as a valid way to integrate Humans Rights in a national or international Law system. Despite being conceived as a not enforced law, the rule of the Courts and Administration concedes them a potentiality enforcement power. Thus the soft law could be considered the frontier between legal Human Rights and mere political declarations. That is the main point of this paper.La naturaleza, fundamentos y positivación de los Derechos Humanos (DDHH) siempre son cuestiones controvertidas. En este artículo nos centramos en analizarlas de manera conjunta, prestando especial atención al aspecto formal de los DDHH como integrantes de la legalidad de un ordenamiento jurídico, sea estatal o internacional. Atendiendo a que los tribunales y administraciones públicas pueden aplicar el soft law, a modo de parámetro interpretativo y como medio de colmar lagunas o para concretar conceptos jurídicos indeterminados, haciéndolo así de facto obligatorio, abogamos por erigirlo en parámetro formal mínimo para admitir la existencia de la legislación positiva de los DDHH, más allá de las meras directrices políticas

Desposesión simbólica de la pesca artesanal: las limitaciones de las políticas de sostenibilidad en Chile entre 1974 y 2021

La crisi de les captures pesqueres que afecta les comunitats artesanals és un fenomen complex causat per transformacions climàtiques, canvis en el comportament dels oceans i la sobreexplotació pesquera. La gestió pesquera sostenible estesa, a les darreres dècades, a molts països ha canviat la gestió dels recursos a partir de la regulació de la sobreexplotació i l’establiment d’un nou de desenvolupament de la pesca. A partir de l’estudi de dues localitats pesqueres de Xile i a través d’una metodologia qualitativa i enfoc sistèmic, s’analitzen els processos de despossessió dels  darrers quaranta anys. Es conclou que, a més de la despossessió biofísica sobre les comunitats pesqueres tradicionals, es produeix un procés de despossessió immaterial i simbòlic sobre la pesca artesanal accentuat pel model neoliberal, que afecta la capacitat local, obstruint un projecte econòmic alternatiu vinculat al territori.The worldwide crises of the fisheries that affects artisanal fishing communities is a complex phenomenon caused by climate change, ocean change and overfishing Sustainable fisheries management implemented in recent decades in many countries changed fisheries management by regulating overexploitation and assuming a new model of fisheries development. The present study carried out in two fishing towns in Chile through a qualitative methodology and a systemic approach, researched the processes of affectation and dispossession in the last forty years. It is concluded that in addition to the biophysical dispossession of traditional fishing communities, there is a process of immaterial and symbolic dispossession of artisanal fishing accentuated by the neoliberal model, which affects local capacity, obstructing an alternative local economic project linked to the territory.La crisis de las capturas pesqueras que afecta a las comunidades artesanales es un fenómeno complejo causado por transformaciones climáticas, cambios en el comportamiento de los océanos y la sobreexplotación pesquera. La gestión pesquera sostenible extendida en las últimas décadas en muchos países ha cambiado la gestión de los recursos a partir de la regulación de la sobreexplotación y el establecimiento de un nuevo modelo de desarrollo de la pesca. A partir del estudio de dos localidades pesqueras de Chile y a través de una metodología cualitativa y enfoque sistémico se analizan los procesos de desposesión en los últimos cuarenta años. Se concluye que además de la desposesión biofísica sobre las comunidades pesqueras tradicionales, se produce un proceso de desposesión inmaterial y simbólico sobre la pesca artesanal acentuado por el modelo neoliberal, que afecta la capacidad local, obstruyendo un proyecto económico alternativo vinculado al territorio

Canvi climàtic i alimentació

Barcelona Capital Mundial de l'Alimentació Sostenible 2021Bon profit

Problemáticas, oportunidades y desafíos de la Agricultura Deltaica Periurbana en el contexto del Cambio Climático

La agricultura es considerada una actividad vulnerable al cambio climático debido a su dependencia a los recursos naturales. Adicionalmente, la agricultura que se desarrolla en zonas periurbanas y deltaicas presenta importantes desafíos para la gestión de sus recursos hídricos, a causa de las problemáticas ambientales que surgen en estos contextos y que podrían agravarse con la subida del nivel del mar. A partir de un estudio de caso, el Parque Agrario del Baix Llobregat, esta investigación analiza los principales riesgos y oportunidades de la Agricultura Deltaica Periurbana frente al Cambio Climático relacionado con la subida del nivel del mar.L'agricultura és considerada una activitat vulnerable al canvi climàtic a causa de la seva dependència dels recursos naturals. Addicionalment, l'agricultura que es desenvolupa en zones periurbanes i deltaiques presenta importants desafiaments par a la gestió hídrica per raó de las problemàtiques ambientals que sorgeixen d'aquests contextos, les quals podrien engrevir-se amb la pujada del nivell del mar. A partir d'un estudi de cas, el Parc Agrari del Baix Llobregat, aquesta investigació analitza els riscos i oportunitats principals l'agricultura deltaica periurbana front al canvi climàtic relacionats amb la pujada del nivell del mar

New Electrocardiographic Algorithm for the Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patients With Left Bundle Branch Block

Background Current electrocardiographic algorithms lack sensitivity to diagnose acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the presence of left bundle branch block. Methods and Results A multicenter retrospective cohort study including consecutive patients with suspected AMI and left bundle branch block, referred for primary percutaneous coronary intervention between 2009 and 2018. Pre-2015 patients formed the derivation cohort (n=163, 61 with AMI); patients between 2015 and 2018 formed the validation cohort (n=107, 40 with AMI). A control group of patients without suspected AMI was also studied (n=214). Different electrocardiographic criteria were tested. A total of 484 patients were studied. A new electrocardiographic algorithm (BARCELONA algorithm) was derived and validated. The algorithm is positive in the presence of ST deviation ≥1 mm (0.1 mV) concordant with QRS polarity, in any lead, or ST deviation ≥1 mm (0.1 mV) discordant with the QRS, in leads with max (R|S) voltage (the voltage of the largest deflection of the QRS, ie, R or S wave) ≤6 mm (0.6 mV). In both the derivation and the validation cohort, the BARCELONA algorithm achieved the highest sensitivity (93%-95%), negative predictive value (96%-97%), efficiency (91%-94%) and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.92-0.93), significantly higher than previous electrocardiographic rules (P<0.01); the specificity was good in both groups (89%-94%) as well as the control group (90%). Conclusions In patients with left bundle branch block referred for primary percutaneous coronary intervention, the BARCELONA algorithm was specific and highly sensitive for the diagnosis of AMI, leading to a diagnostic accuracy comparable to that obtained by ECG in patients without left bundle branch block

Towards a new integrated beach management system: the ecosystem-based management system for beaches

Massive use of beaches has forced traditional management of these systems to focus on the service offer to users. Consequently, human activity and behavior prevailed over other biological and physical processes and functions. Mirroring this tendency, the use of Performance Awards (Blue Flag) and Environmental/Quality Management Systems (ISO 14001, EMAS, and Q of Quality) were popularized as standards of environmental quality. In parallel to this process, recent international coastal and marine policies have emphasized the need to develop sustainable strategies for implementing the principles of the Ecosystem Approach into management with the overarching goal to maintain ecosystem integrity while enabling the sustainable use of ecosystem goods and services in systems under management. As Performance Awards and Environmental/Quality Management Systems do not follow the Ecosystem Approach, an Ecosystem-Based Management System for beaches (EBMS-Beaches) is introduced to overcome this issue. The EBMS-Beaches is intended as a formal standard framework that add new aspects not considered in a classical beach management process by the introduction of the principles of the Ecosystem Approach, between them: a) a clear vision-driven process; b) a holistic approach from a geographical perspective; c) pressure analysis and institutional coordination inside clear participatory planning; d) use of risk management techniques in planning; e) the ecosystem service concept as the central piece of the system; f) use of the DPSWR as accountable framework of indicators, g) desired vision based on state indicators and using BQI partial indices; and h) timely participation by local population. The EBMS is structured along three pillars (managerial, informative and participatory pillars) working in an adaptive management way. Based on these three pillars, existing management practices can be standardized into a viable, systematic means of implementing, in an integrated way, the new international policies for beach social-ecological systems. An initial experience of EBMS implementation in a particular beach (S'Abanell beach, Girona-Catalonia, Northwestern Mediterranean) has been initiated and it is presented.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

El índice de calidad de playas (BQI)

Considerando las playas como sistemas socioecológicos y la Gestión Integrada de Zonas Costeras (GIZC) como la herramienta básica para alcanzar un desarrollo sostenible en la zona costera, en este trabajo se desarrolla un índice de calidad integral de playas (Beach Quality Index, BQI) que responde a un anàlisis funcional de éstas. El índice está pensado como herramienta para promover la aplicación del concepto de sistemas de gestión medioambiental integrados para la gestión específica de las playas. El BQI está formado por trece indicadores parciales agrupados en las tres funciones básicas que realizan las playas (recreativa, natural y de protección). El BQI no solo evalúa la calidad integral de la playa sinó que sirve como cuadro de mando para su gestión y de ayuda en los processos de monitorización. Adaptando dicho esquema a las visiones particulares de cada playa, podemos movernos hacia una gestión mucho más ecoeficiente y sostenible de estos sistemas.Postprint (published version

Flexible Graphene Solution-Gated Field-Effect Transistors : Efficient Transducers for Micro-Electrocorticography

Brain-computer interfaces and neural prostheses based on the detection of electrocorticography (ECoG) signals are rapidly growing fields of research. Several technologies are currently competing to be the first to reach the market; however, none of them fulfill yet all the requirements of the ideal interface with neurons. Thanks to its biocompatibility, low dimensionality, mechanical flexibility, and electronic properties, graphene is one of the most promising material candidates for neural interfacing. After discussing the operation of graphene solution-gated field-effect transistors (SGFET) and characterizing their performance in saline solution, it is reported here that this technology is suitable for μ-ECoG recordings through studies of spontaneous slow-wave activity, sensory-evoked responses on the visual and auditory cortices, and synchronous activity in a rat model of epilepsy. An in-depth comparison of the signal-to-noise ratio of graphene SGFETs with that of platinum black electrodes confirms that graphene SGFET technology is approaching the performance of state-of-the art neural technologies