Relationships between coastal urbanization and ecosystems in Spain

Coastal regions have long demonstrated growing demographic concentration. This process is of great importance in Spanish coastal zones, where cities develop the majority of economic activities. Moreover, the coastal zone is the region where vulnerable coastal ecosystems are located. This research aims to assess the influence of coastal urban areas on the coastal zone of Spain, which is defined as a social-ecological system. The main goals are focused on defining the Spanish coastal social-ecological system (CSES), analyzing coastal urban areas and their economic activities, and identifying coastal ecosystems linked to coastal urban areas. The results demonstrate that more than 11 million inhabitants are concentrated on the Spanish urban coast, and they develop economic activities related to the coast. Additionally, the results of the research establish the importance of coastal ecosystem services provided to the population. Eighty per cent of coastal urban areas and 90% of population are associated with coastal ecosystems of interest for Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM). This paper describes the main coastal urban areas in Spain where economic activities and coastal ecosystems converge. Coastal areas with more ecosystem diversity are preferred by the urban society, and therefore, they should have priority for Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) programs.