Pro-Coast Case Studies

Comino, a small Mediterranean island covering 2.75 km², is Malta's largest biological reserve. However, it faces significant degradation due to a lack of sustainable management. The ReNature Project seeks to restore key habitats on the island, addressing pressing environmental challenges. Among these challenges are soil degradation caused by littering, trampling, vehicle use, and gravel dragging. Invasive alien species (IAS), non-native trees, and overgrazing by rodents and wild rabbits further threaten the ecosystem. The landscape is also disrupted by unintegrated structures, a pig farm, and its associated pollution. With only two permanent residents, Comino experiences a dramatic surge in visitors each summer, leading to substantial ecological pressures. Raising awareness among tourists about their environmental impact is crucial to preserving the island’s biodiversity. The local economy is primarily driven by seasonal tourism and related commercial activities, alongside a pig farm, a hotel, and a shipyard. Governance frameworks include its designation as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the Birds Directive (79/409/EEC).

 

To address these challenges, the PRO-COAST initiative focuses on two key actions. First, fostering social transformation among visitors through citizen science programs, educational materials, pre-ferry briefings, and guided nature walks. Second, by implementing the RN2000 Kemmuna u l-Gżejjer ta’ Madwarha management plan, which promotes sustainable agricultural practices and soil restoration.

Our study will focus on the protected area of Aquatina di Frigole in the Mediterranean, a site of high ecological importance. It hosts iconic species such as Pinna nobilis, native birds, and nesting Caretta caretta. The landscape features pocket beaches, lagoon basins, Posidonia oceanica meadows, coastal banquettes, Mediterranean maquis, and a man-made lagoon drainage system. However, the area faces several challenges, including poor management of the lagoon-sea connection, small-scale oil spills, and pollution from antifouling dispersions and docking. Illegal activities such as unauthorized fishing, water sports, and littering further threaten the ecosystem. Once supported by an initial investment in R&D infrastructure, the site was later abandoned, leading to increased illegal activities and a loss of social trust. Restoring this trust is essential, particularly as the traditional dry-stone walls around the lagoon basins hold significant cultural heritage value. The local economy relies on small-scale fisheries and recreational or educational activities that foster immersive interactions between students, citizens, and visitors with the ecosystem. Governance of this Natura 2000 site falls under the University of Salento, while the coastline is managed by municipalities following national and international regulations. The site also connects with the Interreg (AdrIon) IMPRECO project.

 

To address these issues, the PRO-COAST initiative focuses on four key actions: (1) Raising awareness among local communities and summer visitors about the site's ecological value; (2) Enhancing knowledge of key species through a didactic path and citizen monitoring; (3) Building on past research by engaging local and visiting populations in its dissemination; (4) Assessing the links between marine litter and non-indigenous species (NIS) as indirect drivers of biodiversity change, and illegal activities as direct threats.

This study focuses on a public beach located in a natural area of the Adriatic Sea. The area is home to diverse coastal habitats and protected species, including Cladocora caespitosa, Pinna nobilis, Ruppia cirrhosa, Zostera marina, as well as various birds, mammals, and lizards. However, the region faces several challenges, such as soil erosion and wildlife disturbances caused by tourism. The presence of litter also attracts large numbers of seagulls, raising the risk of zoonotic diseases. The Step Change H2020 Project promotes local engagement and environmental awareness. It includes an app that integrates citizen science with professional data collection on biodiversity, contributing to a shift in community behavior toward more sustainable practices. The area’s economy is primarily driven by seasonal tourism. Governance decisions are made collaboratively by Krajinski Park Strunjan, the Municipality of Piran, the Step Change consortium (including the University of Primorska), and the committee for protected areas.

 

The PRO-COAST initiative focuses on two main actions: (1) Using citizen science data through the Step Change app to raise environmental awareness, along with dedicated engagement activities, such as meetings with local organizations and communities; (2) Expanding outreach and engagement efforts in the two protected areas, with a focus on human-wildlife interactions.

Montenegrin bay is the largest in the Adriatic, hosting a rich biodiversity. It features 21 benthic habitats, coastal terrigenous muds, unique coralligenous aggregations, and extensive seagrass meadows. However, the ecosystem faces significant threats. Coastal construction impacts the bay, while cruising tourism contributes to hydrocarbon pollution, noise, sewage, and waste. Uncontrolled fishing and coral harvesting further degrade biodiversity, and recreational boating often damages seagrass meadows through anchoring. Inhabited since antiquity, the bay is a significant pilgrimage site for both Catholic and Orthodox communities. Its economy is largely driven by tourism, nautical sports, and cruises, while fishing remains primarily a subsistence activity, accounting for 94% of the sector. Governance of the coastline is shared between municipalities and national regulations. The Public Enterprise for Coastal Zone Management of Montenegro oversees the use and protection of the coastal zone, which includes both the public maritime domain and the territorial sea.

 

The PRO-COAST initiative focuses on five key actions: (1) Exploring technological advancements that reduce the ecological footprint on biodiversity; (2) Managing resource needs while preserving cultural integrity and essential ecological processes; (3) Developing a digital library of species in the Boka coastal area with related itineraries; (4) Identifying and adapting policies for conservation and sustainable biodiversity use; (5) Supporting science-based assessments to guide conservation and management policy decisions.

Streedagh Beach, located on the Atlantic Ocean, is characterized by coastal dunes, sandy shores, and mesic grasslands, forming a diverse and dynamic ecosystem. However, the area faces increasing challenges due to sea level rise and extreme climate events, leading to coastal erosion and flooding. Beyond its ecological value, the region holds historical, cultural, and commercial significance, serving as a key center for industry, retail, and services in the North West of Ireland. Tourism plays a major role in the local economy, with visitors drawn to the coastline, mountains, and archaeological sites. Governance of the area falls under the Sligo Living Lab, part of the SCORE H2020 project, which focuses on establishing vegetated buffer zones within dune systems as hybrid nature-based solutions. Coastal protection bioengineering strategies are being tested under the management of IT Sligo and Sligo County Council.

 

The PRO-COAST initiative focuses on three key actions: (1) Engaging local coastal community groups in conservation efforts; (2) Launching an awareness campaign on dune protection; (3) Conducting surveys of residents and visitors to assess their awareness of sand dune conservation, their willingness to comply with protection measures, and their perception of ecosystem value.

Our study focuses on a river estuary and coastal area within a rural landscape composed of grasslands, heathlands, woodlands, and wetlands. However, the region faces several challenges, including intensive farm grazing, hedge cutting, nutrient run-off from agriculture (N/P), invasive alien species (IAS), the need for heathland restoration, and the impacts of mineral extraction. While the local community is generally supportive of conservation efforts, engagement remains low. The economy is driven by agriculture, mineral extraction, and tourism. Approximately 60% of the land benefits from some level of environmental protection.

 

The PRO-COAST initiative aims to enhance conservation efforts through three community-led projects: (1) Planting once-common but now rare plants to provide food for birds and butterflies, supporting cultural ecosystem services; (2) Creating ponds to support invertebrates and amphibians, which in turn sustain bird populations, contributing to regulatory ecosystem services; (3) Restoring red squirrel populations from adjacent offshore islands, aiding carbon sequestration.

The study area focuses on Norway’s west coast, within the wider Bergen region. This rugged coastline, shaped by rocky shores, shallow bays, winding fjords, and scattered islands, provides diverse habitats for marine wildlife. One major challenge is the presence of lost fishing gear, such as abandoned crab and lobster pots, which continue to trap marine life, causing ecological harm. Locating and removing these "ghost fishing" traps from the seabed remains a significant difficulty. Norway’s sea and fjords are central to the cultural concept of allemannsretten, which grants public access for recreational activities like fishing, reinforcing the deep connection between Norwegians and the sea. Economically, fish production (including aquaculture) is a key industry, but the west coast also supports a variety of sectors due to its maritime access and urban hubs. Governance includes designated marine protected areas and seasonal fishing regulations to safeguard vulnerable populations.

 

The PRO-COAST initiative focuses on two main actions: (1) Raising awareness about ghost fishing by bringing the issue of prevention, clean-ups, and recycling to the attention of funders, environmental NGOs, leisure fishers, and public authorities; (2) Conducting a large-scale gear removal operation along the west coast and developing a best-practice manual to improve future efforts.

Our sandy beaches are located along the Baltic Sea, characterized by coastal dunes and expansive sandy shores. However, the area faces significant challenges due to urban pressure and its proximity to the capital, which intensifies environmental impacts. The region is densely populated and experiences a high influx of seasonal visitors. This creates social controversy, as local communities express concerns over environmental degradation, while economic interests drive further development. Seasonal tourism, second homes, and real estate expansion are key economic drivers, contributing to land-use pressure. Governance efforts include planning initiatives incorporating green infrastructure, legislative measures protecting coastal zones, and conservation strategies within designated protected areas.

 

The PRO-COAST initiative focuses on: (1) Addressing the social dimension by balancing stakeholder interests, ensuring high-quality public spaces, improving accessibility, and fostering sustainable recreational ecosystem services; (2) Strengthening multi-level governance by integrating perspectives from local and central authorities; (3) Providing evidence-based insights from researchers and stakeholders to support informed decision-making and inclusive stakeholder engagement; (4) Conducting interviews, participatory events, and mapping actions to enhance public involvement.

This study focuses on a pristine beach along the Black Sea, featuring sandy shores, riparian forests, dystrophic lakes, and sandbanks. A key challenge is the absence of a supervisory body with expertise in coastal ecosystems, leading to gaps in management and protection. The local community faces a lack of environmental awareness, while overtourism and limited adoption of sustainable solutions further threaten the area. Tourism remains the primary economic driver. Governance falls under the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, which oversees conservation efforts.

 

The PRO-COAST initiative aims to: (1) Enhance local community engagement and environmental awareness through photography, surveys, and educational activities; (2) Support high-level discussions and facilitate stakeholder involvement; (3) Emphasize the ecological importance of local flora and fauna to encourage long-term commitment from communities, stakeholders, and policymakers toward ecosystem conservation.

The study area focuses on a bay and its surrounding area on the island of Askøy, located off Norway’s west coast. Biodiversity in this region is rich, with a sheltered sandy bay, wetland, estuary, and rocky formations providing diverse habitats for coastal flora and fauna. A significant challenge is the proposal for an emission-free cruise ship terminal in the bay, which could impact the area’s ecological balance. Southern Askøy is densely populated, with Eidsvika serving as the only nearby natural recreational area. The island’s population has grown rapidly, and development projects have been increasingly frequent in recent years. The local economy is driven by industry, construction, trade, and services, with strong links to Bergen, as many residents commute to the city for work, while a smaller portion commutes in the opposite direction. Askøy is a municipality, but the Eidsvika area lacks official protection status. It is designated as a recreational and grazing area by the municipality, though there are plans to re-zone it as a harbor area.

 

The PRO-COAST initiative focuses on supporting stakeholders in their negotiations over this land-use conflict and its potential implications for coastal biodiversity.