Methodology of delimitation and zoning of transitional systems: Application to the Mampituba river estuary (Brazil)

Coastal zone delimitation is one of the first steps before developing a strategic planning and management. This is especially complex in transitional systems such as estuaries, frequently submitted to different management approaches related to river basins and coastal areas. The present work presents the need to contrast conventional administrative boundaries of estuaries with socio-economic boundaries and aims to establish the basis for an integrated and ecosystem oriented management. On the methodology used, estuaries are considered a heterogeneous and continuous system that delivers ecosystem services, relating processes and system components, as well as the stakeholders involved. It uses a spatial representation defining a geographic framework for river basins and coastal areas integrated management. It also presents a multi-criteria approach associated to the mosaic of habitats and ecosystems present in an estuary. Furthermore, it is showed a zoning based on the degree of dependence of these processes on the estuary. This methodology was applied to the estuarine system of Mampituba River, highlighting key points for the integrated management on a local scale.