Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'DPSIR framework'

Acknowledging the necessity of a detailed understanding of the dynamics and contributions of wetlands in decision making processes, this research aims to identify the trade-offs between human interventions and human well-being in wetlands. Being one of the thirteen Ramsar Sites of Turkey and providing various ecosystem functions, Kizilirmak Delta was determined as the case study area of the research. Following the literature review on wetlands and their valuation, an assessment framework was developed for analyzing the trade-offs in the Kizilirmak Delta. Following this framework, first the importance, values and functions of the delta were defined by evaluation of its ecological, socio-cultural and economic structures and function analysis. Then, the pressures on the delta and their impacts were analyzed through DPSIR (Driving forces, Pressures, State, Impacts and Responses) Framework by action analysis. Finally, the trade-offs in the delta were calculated in monetary terms through valuation of the functions of the delta. Because of time and data constraints only a small portion of the functions of the delta was quantified in monetary terms. Calculated functions of the delta provide 753.531.772 TL worth of services that constitutes the 34 % of total GDP of the delta. This value was accepted as the cost of trade-offs in the delta, because the pressures on the delta would result in the loss of this value.

Since human beings began to use and shape the land, their influence on their<p>environment has kept on growing so that little or no ecosystem in the world is now<p>considered as untouched. This induces pressures on ecosystem health and land scarcity.<p>Africa is of particular concern because it still presents broad undisturbed zones and<p>key ecosystem services, despite being submitted to increasing anthropogenic pressures.<p>Landscape ecology appears suitable for the study of such phenomena, thanks to its spacebased<p>integrative nature and geographical level of focus. It studies the impact of spatial<p>pattern transformation — especially heterogeneity and its components — on ecological<p>processes and provides powerful analytical tools of landscape anthropisation.<p>The main objective of this thesis is to organise the concepts and methods, from<p>landscape ecology and related disciplines, into a consistent logic, to pinpoint missing<p>analytical frameworks for response-oriented anthropisation assessment, and to apply them<p>to African cases to explore the spatial patterns of anthropisation. In order to address<p>landscape anthropisation, we assemble diverse disciplines into a logical network (DPSIR).<p>The new theoretical framework is tested on Lubumbashi (DRC). In order to address<p>spatial patterns, we first evaluate the thermodynamic connection of the term entropy in<p>landscape ecology: spatial heterogeneity, unpredictability and scale influence. Then, based<p>on 20 landscapes, we highlight the complex relationship between spatial heterogeneity<p>and landscape anthropisation. We finally use the modelled relationships to test the<p>anthropogenic origin of the spatial pattern of a land cover class in Lubumbashi.<p>The main results of this research show that several concepts are used to describe different<p>aspects of anthropisation and that its quantification strongly depends on the reference states.<p>Data formats can be combined into a new assessment method ensuring more precision<p>and comparability, but a good field knowledge is required. As for heterogeneity, the<p>existing definitions of landscape entropy follow the logic of thermodynamics or information<p>theory, that are not compatible. Only unpredictability could be properly interpreted in<p>thermodynamic terms if energy transfer measurements were performed at the appropriate<p>level. The anthropogenic effects on heterogeneity completely diverge depending on the<p>amount of already anthropised surface, on the land cover type (natural or anthropogenic),<p>and on the heterogeneity components.<p>The aforementioned findings could be adapted to include functional aspects and<p>better address the relationship between spatial pattern and ecological processes. Such<p>integration would help designing response actions that can recommend human activities<p>and spatial patterns that could optimise the use of land to ensure ecological functioning<p>while supporting human development. / <p>L’influence croissante de l’homme sur son environnement affecte désormais le monde<p>entier, ce qui induit des pressions sur la santé des écosystèmes et raréfie les ressources<p>en terres. L’Afrique présente un intérêt particulier à cet égard car elle contient de vastes<p>zones quasi vierges et fournit des services écosystémiques importants mais est soumise<p>à des pressions anthropiques croissantes. L’écologie du paysage étudie ces phénomènes<p>de façon intégrative au moyen de sa composante spatiale et de son échelle d’intérêt. Elle<p>étudie l’impact des transformations de la structure spatiale — en particulier l’hétérogénéité<p>et ses différentes composantes—sur les processus écologiques et fournit de puissants outils<p>analytiques de l’anthropisation.<p>L’objectif de cette thèse est d’organiser les concepts et méthodes de différentes disciplines<p>de façon à mettre en évidence leurs forces et faiblesses pour proposer une nouvelle<p>quantification de l’anthropisation, orientée vers la gestion, et de la tester sur des paysages<p>africains pour examiner la structure spatiale de l’anthropisation. Le DPSIR est utilisé pour<p>assembler les différents concepts. La nouvelle méthodologie est testée sur Lubumbashi<p>(RDC). Ensuite, le lien entre la thermodynamique et l’utilisation du terme entropie en<p>écologie du paysage est examiné. Vingt paysages servent alors à mettre en évidence la<p>complexité de l’impact de l’anthropisation sur l’hétérogénéité du paysage. Enfin, cette<p>modélisation sert à mettre en évidence l’origine anthropique de la structure spatiale d’une<p>classe d’occupation du sol à Lubumbashi.<p>Les résultats principaux de cette recherche sont que pléthore de termes sont utilisés<p>pour représenter différents aspects de l’anthropisation et que sa quantification dépend de<p>la définition d’états de référence. Cependant, la combinaison de différents formats de<p>données peut aboutir à une nouvelle méthodologie plus précise et adaptable, mais cela<p>nécessite une bonne connaissance de terrain. Les définitions de l’entropie dépendent soit de<p>la thermodynamique soit de la théorie de l’information, qui ne sont pas compatibles. Seule<p>l’imprévisibilité pourrait être interprétée thermodynamiquement, si les mesures de transfert<p>d’énergie étaient effectuées à l’échelle appropriée. L’impact humain sur l’hétérogénéité<p>diverge selon la quantité de surface déjà anthropisée, le type de couverture du sol pris en<p>compte ainsi que les composantes de l’hétérogénéité mesurées.<p>Ces découvertes peuvent être adaptées pour intégrer des aspects fonctionnels de la<p>structure spatiale et mieux cerner le lien entre celle-ci et le fonctionnement écologique, ce qui<p>permettrait de proposer des activités humaines et des structures spatiales qui optimiseraient<p>l’utilisation des ressources en sol pour assurer tant le fonctionnement écologique que le<p>développement humain.<br>Doctorat en Sciences agronomiques et ingénierie biologique<br>info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Overfishing in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) resulted in degradation of the ecosystem. This study used the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) indicator framework to determine whether the ecosystem is now recovering. Indicator trends were analysed using various data sources that included government institutions and intergovernmental institutions. The results showed that the overall effect of Driver indicators was negative. This was mainly because of socio-economic pressure such as the need to create more jobs in light of rising national unemployment and the declining contribution of the fisheries sector to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In addition to scientific advice, socio-economic factors also influenced the determination of Total Allowable Catches (TACs). The overall trend of Pressure indicators was positively influenced by the effect of TACs. The TACs reduced the quotas allocated for commercial fishing. Environmental factors did not seem to play a significant role in this study. State indicators had mixed results with the indicators assessed almost split in the middle between those showing a positive trend and those showing a negative trend. On the other hand, Impact and Response indicators showed overall positive results. Therefore, the conclusion of the study was that the degradation of the BCLME has slowed down and there are some signs of recovery.<br>Environmental Sciences<br>M.Sc. (Environmental Science)

Το όρος Γκιώνα είναι το υψηλότερο βουνό της Στερεάς Ελλάδας και το πέμπτο μεγαλύτερο της Ελλάδας. Έχει έκταση περίπου 300.000 στρεμμάτων, χωρίζει κάθετα τη Στερεά Ελλάδα σε δυτική και ανατολική και αριθμεί εικοσιτέσσερις (24) κορυφές με υψόμετρο μεγαλύτερο των 2.000 μ. Αρχικά, η παρούσα διατριβή ερευνά τη χλωρίδα της εξεταζόμενης περιοχής, η οποία αποτελείται από 1.273 taxa, 572 εκ των οποίων, αναφέρονται για πρώτη φορά. Η γεωγραφική θέση του συγκεκριμένου ορεινού όγκου στη Στερεά Ελλάδα, ο οποίος γειτνιάζει με τα υπόλοιπα ψηλά βουνά αυτής της περιφέρειας (Βαρδούσια, Οίτη, Παρνασσό), αποτελεί σημείο συνάντησης φυτών με διαφορετική γεωγραφική εξάπλωση. Αυτό το δεδομένο αποκτά ακόμη μεγαλύτερη αναλυτική σημασία στην περίπτωση των ενδημικών στοιχείων, καθώς το ορεινό συγκρότημα της Γκιώνας με το επιβλητικό τοπίο, τα μεγάλα υψόμετρα, την εκτεταμένη αλπική ζώνη και τη συνολικά μεγάλη του έκταση υποστηρίζει ένα πολύ υψηλό ποσοστό ενδημισμού (11,88%). Αξιοσημείωτο είναι ότι μεταξύ των φυτικών στοιχείων που εξετάσαμε, περιλαμβάνονται και 171 taxa, τα οποία είναι σπάνια ή προστατευόμενα. Επιπρόσθετα, διερευνήσαμε τις φυτογεωγραφικές σχέσεις μεταξύ των βουνών της Στερεάς Ελλάδας και της Πελοποννήσου, όπου διαφαίνεται η υψηλή χλωριδική συγγένεια του όρους Γκιώνα με τα όρη Παρνασσός και Βαρδούσια. Στη συνέχεια, μελετήσαμε τη βλάστηση της εξεταζόμενης περιοχής, όπου εντοπίστηκαν έντεκα (11) ενότητες βλάστησης. Από την επεξεργασία των δειγματοληψιών, διακρίθηκαν δεκαεννέα (19) τύποι οικοτόπων, με οκτώ (8) φυτοκοινότητες να αναφέρονται για πρώτη φορά. Για την αξιολόγηση των ανθρώπινων επιδράσεων που λαμβάνουν χώρα στο όρος Γκιώνα εφαρμόστηκε το πλαίσιο DPSIR, το οποίο εφαρμόζεται για πρώτη φορά σε ορεινό οικοσύστημα στην Ελλάδα. Στην παρούσα μελέτη αναλύονται πενήντα πέντε (55) δείκτες του προαναφερθέντος πλαισίου αξιολόγησης, ενώ ιδιαίτερη βαρύτητα δίνεται στις πιέσεις που ασκούνται από τα μεταλλεία βωξίτη στην περιοχή. Τα διαχειριστικά μέτρα, τα οποία προτείνονται, λαμβάνουν υπόψη όλες τις εξεταζόμενες παραμέτρους αξιολόγησης και αποτελούν ένα χρήσιμο εργαλείο για τους παράγοντες λήψης αποφάσεων. Όσα προαναφέρθηκαν συνεπικουρούνται από μία σειρά θεματικών χαρτών, τους οποίους κατασκευάσαμε με τη χρήση GIS και απεικονίζουν την παρούσα κατάσταση της περιοχής μελέτης.<br>Mount Giona is the highest mountain of the Sterea Ellas region and Greece’s fifth biggest mountain. It covers 30,000 hectares, divides Sterea Ellas into west and east and includes twenty-four (24) peaks above 2,000 m. Initially, the present thesis investigates the flora of the examined area, which comprises 1,273 taxa, 572 of which are reported here for the first time. The geographical position of Mount Giona in Sterea Ellas, which neighbors with the other high mountains of that region (namely: Vardousia, Oiti, Parnassos), constitutes a meeting point for plants with different geographical distributions. This fact is extremely important in the case of the endemic elements, which constitute a large percentage of the total flora (11.88%), due to the highly diversified landscape, the high altitudes, the extended alpine vegetation zone and the vast area covered by the mountain. The fact that 171 plant taxa of the total flora are rare or under some protection status, is also notable. Furthermore, we have examined the phytogeographical relation among the mountains of Sterea Ellas and Peloponnese, where the high floristic affinity of Mount Giona with the mountains Parnassos and Vardousia was revealed. Furthermore, we have studied the vegetation of the examined area, where we have recognized eleven (11) vegetation groups. The elaboration of vegetation samplings via vegetation analysis techniques showed nineteen (19) habitat types, with eight (8) plant communities being reported here for the first time. In order to evaluate the human impacts taking place on Mount Giona, we implemented the DPSIR causal framework, which is applied for the first time in a mountainous ecosystem in Greece. Fifty-five (55) indicators of the above-mentioned framework are analyzed in the present study, with special attention to the pressures caused by the bauxite mines on the area. The management measures, proposed here, have taken under consideration all the examined evaluation parameters and aim to be a valuable tool in the hands of decision makers. Finally, a series of thematic maps, created by means of GIS, has been designed in order to support our studies and reflect the present state of Mount Giona’s ecosystems.

Dissertação de Mestrado, Gestão da Água e da Costa, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, 2010<br>A Modelação da interacção das bacias hidrográficas com os rios a jusante, estuários, as zonas costeiras e a simulação e previsão das alterações ecológicas e físico-químicas das massas de água, é um passo importante para uma monitorização eficiente da eutrofização e dos sistemas de gestão. Neste trabalho foram usados dados recolhidos pelo Instituto Nacional da Água (INAG) para o modelo de Carga de Nitratos introduzidos no Estuário do Guadiana, de Clorofila-a e de Oxigénio dissolvido, através do método estatístico de regressão múltipla integrado com o Quadro Drigir-Pressão-Estado-Impacto-Resposta. A selecção do modelo foi realizada através da aplicação do Critério de Informação de Akakie (AIC). Os resultados indicam que o uso de fertilizantes, a Carga de Nitrogénio Dissolvido (DIN) e Fluxo do caudal do Rio explicam significativamente (α=0.05, p=0.003) cerca de 73% da variação da Carga de Nitratos na estação de amostragem de Pulo do Lobo, na zona do Alto estuário do Guadiana. Em Alcoutim as variáveis que melhor explicaram a variação de Oxigénio Dissolvido foram a Carga de Nitratos, o Fluxo de caudal do Rio e a Clorofila-a. Estas variáveis explicaram significativamente (α=0.05, p=0.0054) a variação em 69% relativamente ao Oxigénio Dissolvido. No entanto, embora a Clorofila-a tenha mostrado uma boa correlação com o Fluxo de caudal do rio, a Carga de nitratos e o Oxigênio dissolvido, estatisticamente foi pouco significativa (α = 0.05 e 0.1). Este facto poderá indicar maior variabilidade da Clorofila-a associada à hidrodinâmica do estuário. Os modelos de Carga de Nitratos e de Oxigênio Dissolvido mostraram estatisticamente ser mais adequados para serem utilizados como uma ferramenta de modelação, para prever e gerir as mudanças físico-químicas do estuário do Guadiana. Resultados deste estudo sugerem que os modelos de regressão múltipla pode ser integrado com DPSIR e utilizados na compreensão dos processos complexos de Bacias Hidrográficas, Rios e Estuários.<br>Modeling the interaction of catchments with downstream rivers, estuaries and coasts and simulating and predicting eco-physiochemical changes of these water bodies is an important step towards efficient eutrophication monitoring and management schemes. This study used data collected by National Water Resource Institute of Portugal (INAG) to model riverine Nitrate transport and load to Guadiana estuary, Chlorophyll-a and Dissolved Oxygen changes using multiple regression statistical method integrated with Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework. Model selection was undertaken through application of Akakie’s Information Criteria (AIC). Results indicated that Fertilizer Use, Catchment Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) load and River Flow significantly (α=0.05, p=0.003) explained about 73% of variation in riverine Nitrate Load at Pulo Do Lubo hydrometric river station right above the upper part of Guadiana estuary. Descriptor variables which best explained Dissolved Oxygen at Alcoutim, upper estuary station, were riverine Nitrate load, River Flow and Chlorophyll-a. These variables significantly (α=0.05, p=0.0054) explained about 69% of variation in Dissolved Oxygen. However, although Chlorophyll-a showed a good correlation with River flow, riverine Nitrate load and Dissolved Oxygen, it was statistically insignificant (α=0.05 and 0.1). This probably indicates more sensitivity of Chlorophyll-a towards hydrodynamics of the estuary. On the basis of adequate statistical evidence found, riverine Nitrate load and Dissolved Oxygen models could be used to predict and manage physiochemical changes in the Guadiana estuary. Findings of this study suggest that multiple regression models can be integrated with DPSIR framework and used in understanding the complex processes in catchment-estuary continuum.

Dissertação de mest., Gestão da Água e da Costa, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, 2009<br>A aplicação estrutural DPSIR apoiada pelo modelo integrado de bacias hidrográficas foi utilizado para avaliar as condições de desempenho de irrigação no Alqueva, a pressão que será exercida sobre a de forma de incorporação de nutrientes devido à aplicação de fertilizantes inorgânicos e seus potenciais impactos no estuário do rio Guadinia. A barragem e o sistema de irrigação (aproximadamente 110.000 hectares) está situado no Alentejo, sul de Portugal. O sistema de agricultura planificada será seguido por uma agricultura de irrigação intensiva, e, como resultado, tem o potencial para contribuir para a incorporação de nutrientes no estuário do rio Guadania. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar as condições do sistema de agricultura irrigada na estrutura holística Driver-Pressão-Estado- Impacto-Resposta (DPSIR), com o objectivo global de dotar a administração, com recomendações para a redução da descarga de nutrientes para o estuário do rio Guadiana e o conseqüente aparecimento da eutrofização. O modelo Basin Sim. 1 GWLF foi usado para determinar a quantidade de nutrientes incorporada (N & P) no perímetro de irrigação desenhado. Com o uso deste modelo, as descargas foram simuladas para um período de 4 anos (2002 - 2006) sob o cenário de referência (normal) e "Agricultura total" (com base nas condições esperadas). O programa ArcView GIS foi utilizado para extrair os parâmetros de entrada apartir de várias camadas de dados GIS, incluindo modelo de elevação digital e do solo. A avaliação com DPSIR mostra que as alterações climáticas (por exemplo, aridez, secas periódicas), a crescente exigência económica, o turismo (desenvolvimento de circuitos de golfe) e da variabilidade da precipitação pluviométricas e do fluxo dos rios são as principais forças motrizes que controlam a barragem do Alqueva e o sistema de irrigação. Os resultados modelados mostram também que as fontes no perímetro de irrigação geram 146,54 mil toneladas de nitrogénio total (NT) e 12.21 toneladas de fósforo total (FT), nas condições de referência e estas descargas aumentam para 161,18 toneladas de NT e 14,75 toneladas de FT no cenário de "agricultura total". As actividades agrícolas, seguidas por águas subterrâneas são as fontes que contribuem maiores proporções. Em termos de poluição por nutrientes, os resultados encontrados mostram que o sistema de irrigação intensiva que foi planeado nesta área é altamente determinante na qualidade da água nas imediações do rio Guadiana e no estuário à jusante. Portanto, um número de respostas possíveis (sob a forma de normas e legislação, regulamentação, tecnologia, boas práticas agrícolas, económicas, científicas, modelos, etc) e soluções administrativas que identificam as recomendações são sugeridas no presente trabalho.<br>DPSIR framework application supported by integrated watershed modeling was used to assess the conditions of Alqueva irrigation development, the pressure that will be exerted in the form of nutrient loads due to the application of inorganic fertilizers and its potential impacts on the Guadiana river estuary. Alqueva dam and irrigation development (about 110,000 ha) is located in Alentejo, south of Portugal. The planned agriculture development will follow intensive irrigated agriculture and therefore, has a potential to contribute nutrient loadings to the Guadiana river estuary. The aim of this study is to assess the conditions of Alqueva irrigated agriculture development under the holistic Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework, with an overall goal of providing management with recommendations to reduce nutrient discharge in to the Guadiana river estuary and consequently the appearance of eutrophication. Basin Sim.1, GWLF model was used to determine the amount of nutrient loadings (N & P) from the planned irrigation perimeter. Using the model, loadings have been simulated for a period of 4 years (2002 – 2006) under baseline (Current condition) and ¨All agriculture¨ (based on expected condition) Scenarios. Arc View GIS was used to extract input parameters from various GIS data layers including digital elevation model and land cover. The DPSIR assessment shows that, Climate change (Such as Aridity, Periodic droughts); Economic growth demands, Tourism (Golf course development) and Rain fall and river discharge variability are the main driving forces which leads to Alqueva dam and irrigation development. Modeling results also shows, the source areas in the irrigation perimeter generates 146.54 tons of Total Nitrogen (TN) and 12.21 tons of Total Phosphorus(TP) under baseline scenario and this increases to 161.18 t of TN and 14.75 t of TP in ¨All agriculture scenario¨. From this, agricultural runoff contributes the largest amount followed by ground water. In terms of nutrient contamination, this shows the planned intensive irrigated agriculture development is highly determinal to the water quality in nearby Guadiana River and downstream estuary. Therefore, a number of possible responses (in the form of Policy and Legislation, Regulation, Technology, Good agricultural practices, Economic, Scientific, Modeling e.t.c) and management solutions that identify the ¨Decision makers recommended.

Dissertação de Mestrado, Gestão da Água e da Costa, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, 2007<br>Interações entre a Terra e o Oceano na Zona Costeira (ITOZC) é um projecto núcleo do Projecto Internacional Geosfera-biosfera (PIGB). As bases do projecto núcleo da LOICZ desenvolveram uma avaliação global da importância das costas oceânicas como receptoras de material proveniente da parte terrestre. A bacia Regional do Sul da Ásia é o projecto das bacias da ITOZC focado no sub-continente Indiano. O projecto das bacias do ITOZC adoptou como metodologia Causa-Pressão-Estado-Impacto-Resposta (CPEIP) para integrar os resultados das ciências naturais e sociais com repercussão na e a partir da politica e gestão. O projecto consequentemente envolve os impactos da sociedade humana no transporte de materiais até à costa incluindo água, sedimentos, nutrientes, metais pesados e químicos produzidos pelo homem, classifica os seus impactes nos sistemas costeiros e as tentativas em desenvolver opções de gestão racional. A aplicação do conceito CPEIP no sub-continente Indiano indica que a sedimentação/erosão é sem dúvida o impacte mais significativo na região, seguido da poluição, eutrofização e na perda de Biodiversidade. Muitas são as causas que contribuem para estes problemas, incluindo em ordem de importância desflorestação, turismo, urbanização, industria, agricultura, construção de barragens ao longo dos rios e desvio dos próprios rios. As principais pressões aumentam a carga de sedimentos, o input de nutrientes, as deficientes praticas de gestão da terrestre, a construção de barragens e o desvio da água dos rios, todas ampliadas pelas mudanças no ciclo hidrológico, pelas tempestades tropicais e pelos furacões. O conceito CPEIP é aplicado em forma de tabela para cada sistema. A classificação da tipologia da ITOZC foi aplicada para gerar uma tipologia para a vulnerabilidade da costa à Subida do Nível do Mar como consequência do Aquecimento Global. A ferramenta DISCO cluster utilizou-se para estatisticamente agrupar um conjunto de variáveis proxy da vulnerabilidade costeira relativamente à subida do nível do mar em medida de delinear-se a variabilidade da vulnerabilidade da costa. A tipologia pode ser utilizada para identificar as áreas prioritárias à vulnerabilidade costeira e pode ser útil na tomada de decisões para os políticos e gestores de costa.<br>Land Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) is a core project of the International Geosphere-biosphere Project (IGBP). The LOICZ Basins is developed a global evaluation of coastal system as a receiving body of land-based changes material fluxes. The South Asia Regional basin is the LOICZ-Basins project focused in Indian sub-continent. The LOICZ-basins has adopted the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework to integrate the results of natural and social sciences with feedback to and from policy and management. The project therefore deals with the impact of human society on the material transport to the coast, including water, sediments, nutrients, heavy metals and man-made chemicals. Assessing the impacts on coastal systems tries to develop rational management options. Applying DPSIR concept to the Indian sub-continent indicates that sedimentation/erosion is by far the most significant impact in the region, followed by pollution, eutrophication and loss of biodiversity. Many drivers contribute to the generation of issues. The major pressures are sediment load, nutrient input, siltation, sewage input, poor land use pattern, dam construction, dredging, and water diversion. These are exaggerated by changes in the hydrological cycle and tropical storms and hurricanes. The DPSIR concept is applied in a table format to each system. Developing LOICZ typology tool is another part of this study. This approach is used to generate a typology for coastal vulnerability of sea level rise which caused by global warming and climate changes. DISCO cluster tool is used to statistically cluster a set of proxy variables to coastal vulnerability in order to delineate the variability into coastal vulnerability. This typology could be used by identifying the priority areas of coastal vulnerability and is very useful tool to the coastal manager and policy-makers for effective coastal planning and management approaches.

Dissertação de mest., Gestão da Água e da Costa, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, 2010<br>The purpose of this study was to elaborate on the role of coastal megacities in environmental degradation and their contribution to global climate change. Although only less than 4 percent of the total world’s population resides in coastal megacities, their impact on environment is significant due to their rapid development, high population densities and high consumption rate of their residents. This study was carried out by implementing a Drivers-Pressures-States-Impacts-Responses (DPSIR) framework. This analytical framework was chosen because of its potential to link the existing data, gathered from various previous studies, in causal relationship. In this text, coastal megacities have been defined as cities exceeding 10 million inhabitants, situated in “nearcoastal zone”. Their high rates of the consumption of food, water, space and energy were observed and linked to the high performance rates of related economic activities (industry, transportation, power generation, agriculture and water extraction). In many of the studied coastal megacities, deteriorated quality of air and water was perceived, which can, in combination with global warming, lead to health problems and economic and social disturbance among residents. The extent of problems varied between developing and developed countries, showing higher rates of population growth and certain harmful emissions in megacities of developing countries, as well as more problems regarding food and water shortages, sanitation, and health care support. Although certain projections predict slowdown of growth in most coastal megacities, their future impact on environment is still unclear due to the uncertainties regarding future climate change and trajectories of consumption patterns.

Tese de doutoramento em Biociência, na especialidade de Ecologia, apresentada ao Departamento de Ciências da Vida da Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade de Coimbra<br>A Directiva-Quadro da Água reforça o papel dos usos do solo na avaliação da qualidade da água, mas a utilização de dados de ocupação do solo, no que respeita a águas de superfície, restringe-se à estimativa dos padrões de uso do solo para a identificação de pressões provenientes de fontes de poluição difusas. O principal objetivo deste estudo é identificar especificidades da ocupação dos usos do solo na avaliação das mudanças de estado (Capítulo I), pressões (Capítulo I e II) e forças motrizes (Capítulo III e IV) da qualidade das águas de superfície. Para o efeito, usamos dados da bacia hidrográfica do Rio Mondego, uma bacia costeira localizada em Portugal, onde as mudanças socioeconómicas têm sido observadas desde a década de 1990 e que resultaram na perda de representatividade do setor agrícola e ganho do setor da construção. Apesar das mudanças, a agricultura mantém-se como uma fonte de pressão sobre as águas de superfície que, associada a modificações hidromorfológicas, causaram um declínio da qualidade ecológica do estuário do Mondego. Em 1998, a implementação de medidas de mitigação permitiu a recuperação do sistema, mas a monitorização identificou elevadas concentrações de nutrientes que pediam uma avaliação da sua proveniência. Por esta razão, a bacia do Rio Mondego, emerge como um caso de estudo com as condições necessárias para identificar aplicações mais amplas de dados de ocupação do solo no âmbito da identificação de forças motrizes e pressões sobre a qualidade da água. O Capítulo I estabelece a linha de base para este trabalho através da aplicação de indicadores de nutrientes e de substâncias-consumidoras-de-oxigénio para analisar a evolução das concentrações de amónia, nitrato e fosfato no estuário do Mondego entre os períodos 2003-2007 e 2012-2013 (ANOVA no software R); para analisar as diferenças entre as concentrações médias anuais de nutrientes nos rios tributários em 2012-2013 e as concentrações médias anuais encontradas em rios europeus em três períodos diferentes (1992, 2000, 2012); e para avaliar as diferenças na variabilidade das concentrações de nutrientes no estuário e nos tributários em 2012-2013 (ANOVA em software R). Adicionalmente, o Capítulo I avalia a dependência das concentrações de nutrientes estuarinas das entradas de água doce provenientes dos tributários, em dois períodos distintos. Procurou-se a relação linear entre as concentrações de nutrientes e a salinidade, a precipitação e a temperatura (regressão linear no software R). Os resultados revelam diferenças entre os intervalos de tempo e mostram uma dependência das concentrações de nutrientes das entradas de água doce proveniente dos rios, o que indica pressão de cargas de nutrientes sobre o estuário. No Capítulo II a pressão exercida pela descarga de nutrientes nos rios da bacia hidrográfica é avaliada utilizando dados de ocupação do solo. Analisa-se a adequação de métricas de paisagem para descrever a variabilidade espacial de nitratos em toda a bacia do rio Mondego usando dados sazonais de 2001 e 2006 (modelo linear misto - software R). Os resultados revelam que os padrões de ocupação do solo são descritores fracos da variabilidade espacial de nitratos na bacia do rio Mondego. No Capítulo III caracterizam-se as forças motrizes da qualidade da água usando como proxy os processos de mudança da paisagem. Os mapas CORINE de 1990, 2000 e 2006 são utilizados para analisar as mudanças entre oito categorias de ocupação, através de uma análise alargada de matrizes de transição. A magnitude da mudança e a consistência das transições revelam que as forças motrizes mais relevantes incluem categorias com baixa percentagem de ocupação, mas elevado efeito potencial nos processos hidrológicos. No Capítulo IV, reconhecendo que a precisão dos mapas pode influenciar a nossa percepção acerca das forças motrizes que atuam no sistema, aplica-se uma Análise de Intensidade para avaliar a adequação dos mapas CORINE como indicadores de mudanças de ocupação. Transições inconsistentes indicam erros de classificação que se poderiam propagar para outras aplicações que utilizam mapas de mudança de ocupação do solo. Analisando os resultados concluímos que ainda há espaço para o desenvolvimento de indicadores, nomeadamente indicadores de eficácia-de-políticas; que os dados de ocupação do solo como indicadores de pressão podem revelar o efeito, a longo prazo, da implementação de políticas; que a magnitude e a consistência dos processos de mudança de ocupação do solo revelam informações adicionais relativamente à avaliação das forças motrizes de transições de ocupação e que os mapas CORINE, apesar de serem dados de elevada qualidade, têm limitações de precisão facilmente identificadas através de uma Análise de Intensidade. Em relação à concentração de nutrientes, o nosso estudo sugere que são necessárias medidas de mitigação para reduzir as entradas de concentrações de fosfato para o estuário, de preferência por meio de políticas a nível europeu. The European Water Framework Directive enhances the role of land use in determining water quality of all waters, but the use of land cover data, regarding surface waters, is restricted to the estimation of land use patterns for the identification of pressures on surface waters from diffuse source pollution. The main goal of this study is to uncover specificities of land cover in the assessment of state changes (Chapter I), pressures (Chapt er I and II) and drivers (Chapter III and IV) of water quality of surface waters. For this purpose, we use data from the Mondego river basin, a coastal watershed in Portugal , where socio - economic changes observed since the 1990 s resulted in the loss of rep resentativeness from the agricultural sector and gain from the construction sector. Despite the observed changes, agriculture remained a source of pressure on surface waters which, associated with hydro - morphological modifications, caused a decline of the ecological quality of the Mondego estuary. In 1998, the implementation of mitigation measures enabled the recovery of the system but routine monitoring identified high concentrations of nutrients deserving further assessment to understand its sources. For this reason, the Mondego river basin, as a case study, provided conditions to reveal wider applications of land cover data within the assessment of drivers and pressures of water quality. Chapter I establishes the baseline for our research applying indicat ors of nutrients and oxygen - consuming - substances to analyze progress in the concentrations of ammonia, nitrate and phosphate in the Mondego estuary from a former period (2003 - 2007) to a recent period (2012 - 2 2013) (ANOVA in R software); to analyze difference s between the annual mean concentrations of nutrients in the tributary rivers in 2012 - 2013 and the average annual mean concentrations found in European rivers in three different periods (1992, 2000, 2012); and to evaluate differences in the variability of nutrient concentrations between the estuary and the tributaries in 2012 - 2013 (ANOVA in R software). Additionally, Chapter I evaluates the dependency of estuarine nutrient concentration s on riverine freshwater inputs in two different periods. A linear relat ionship between the nutrient concentrations and salinity, precipitation and temperature was sought (linear regression in R software). Altogether the results indicate differences between time intervals and are able to establish a dependency of nutrient conc entrations on riverine freshwater inputs, indicating pressure from nutrient loadings on the estuary. In Chapter II pressure from nutrient flushing on the river basin is evaluated using land cover data as an indicator. The suitability of landscape metrics t o describe the spatial variability of nitrate across the Mondego river basin is assessed using seasonal data from the years 2001 and 2006 (linear mixed model - R software). The results reveal that land cover patterns are weak descriptors of nitrate spatial variability in the Mondego river basin. In Chapter III driving forces of water quality are characterized using processes of landscape change as proxy. CORINE Land cover maps at 1990, 2000 and 2006 are used to analyze changes among eight categories throug h an extended analysis of transition matrices. The magnitude of change and consistency of transitions reveal that the most relevant driving forces from land transitions include categories with low percentage of occupation but high potential effect on hydro logical processes. In Chapter IV, acknowledging that the accuracy of maps may influence our perception of the main driving forces acting in the system, the Intensity Analysis approach is applied to evaluate the suitability of the CORINE land cover maps as indicators of land change. Inconsistent transitions reveal the misclassification errors that could propagate to other land cover change applications, as in the assessment of hydrological processes. Through the analysis of the results we conclude that there is still space for the development of indicators, namely policy effectiveness indicators; land cover data as indicator of pressure may reveal the effect of policies’ implementation in the long - term; the magnitude and con sistency of the processes of land change reveal additional information regarding the assessment of driving Abstract 3 forces from land transitions and that CORINE maps, though being high quality datasets, have accuracy limitations that are easily accessed through Int ensity Analysis. Regarding nutrient concentrations, our study suggests that mitigation measures, preferably through policies at the European level, are needed to reduce the inputs of phosphate concentrations into the estuary.<br>The European Water Framework Directive enhances the role of land use in determining water quality of all waters, but the use of land cover data, regarding surface waters, is restricted to the estimation of land use patterns for the identification of pressures on surface waters from diffuse source pollution. The main goal of this study is to uncover specificities of land cover in the assessment of state changes (Chapter I), pressures (Chapter I and II) and drivers (Chapter III and IV) of water quality of surface waters. For this purpose, we use data from the Mondego river basin, a coastal watershed in Portugal, where socio-economic changes observed since the 1990s resulted in the loss of representativeness from the agricultural sector and gain from the construction sector. Despite the observed changes, agriculture remained a source of pressure on surface waters which, associated with hydro-morphological modifications, caused a decline of the ecological quality of the Mondego estuary. In 1998, the implementation of mitigation measures enabled the recovery of the system but routine monitoring identified high concentrations of nutrients deserving further assessment to understand its sources. For this reason, the Mondego river basin, as a case study, provided conditions to reveal wider applications of land cover data within the assessment of drivers and pressures of water quality. Chapter I establishes the baseline for our research applying indicators of nutrients and oxygenconsuming-substances to analyze progress in the concentrations of ammonia, nitrate and phosphate in the Mondego estuary from a former period (2003-2007) to a recent period (2012) - 2013) (ANOVA in R software); to analyze differences between the annual mean concentrations of nutrients in the tributary rivers in 2012-2013 and the average annual mean concentrations found in European rivers in three different periods (1992, 2000, 2012); and to evaluate differences in the variability of nutrient concentrations between the estuary and the tributaries in 2012-2013 (ANOVA in R software). Additionally, Chapter I evaluates the dependency of estuarine nutrient concentrations on riverine freshwater inputs in two different periods. A linear relationship between the nutrient concentrations and salinity, precipitation and temperature was sought (linear regression in R software). Altogether the results indicate differences between time intervals and are able to establish a dependency of nutrient concentrations on riverine freshwater inputs, indicating pressure from nutrient loadings on the estuary. In Chapter II pressure from nutrient flushing on the river basin is evaluated using land cover data as an indicator. The suitability of landscape metrics to describe the spatial variability of nitrate across the Mondego river basin is assessed using seasonal data from the years 2001 and 2006 (linear mixed model - R software). The results reveal that land cover patterns are weak descriptors of nitrate spatial variability in the Mondego river basin. In Chapter III driving forces of water quality are characterized using processes of landscape change as proxy. CORINE Land cover maps at 1990, 2000 and 2006 are used to analyze changes among eight categories through an extended analysis of transition matrices. The magnitude of change and consistency of transitions reveal that the most relevant driving forces from land transitions include categories with low percentage of occupation but high potential effect on hydrological processes. In Chapter IV, acknowledging that the accuracy of maps may influence our perception of the main driving forces acting in the system, the Intensity Analysis approach is applied to evaluate the suitability of the CORINE land cover maps as indicators of land change. Inconsistent transitions reveal the misclassification errors that could propagate to other land cover change applications, as in the assessment of hydrological processes. Through the analysis of the results we conclude that there is still space for the development of indicators, namely policy effectiveness indicators; land cover data as indicator of pressure may reveal the effect of policies’ implementation in the long-term; the magnitude and consistency of the processes of land change reveal additional information regarding the assessment of driving forces from land transitions and that CORINE maps, though being high quality datasets, have accuracy limitations that are easily accessed through Intensity Analysis. Regarding nutrient concentrations, our study suggests that mitigation measures, preferably through policies at the European level, are needed to reduce the inputs of phosphate concentrations into the estuary.