Marine ecosystem services in urban areas: Do the strategic documents of Polish coastal municipalities reflect their importance?

► The ecosystem services approach helps to create ecologically sustainable urban areas. ► The documents we analyzed do not mention marine ecosystem services (MES) directly. ► However, the indirect inclusion of MES may facilitate their future use in planning. ► MES were considered mainly in the context of tourism, port industry and fishing. ► Better awareness of MES may minimize the 'environment or development' dilemma.