Implementation of a Coastal Management Model at Kinvara Bay in the North Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

Applying a management model to coastal areas is always a challenge because of the multiple scenarios from which they can be addressed. The coastal zone represents a dynamic area, which can be analyzed using physical processes. However, it can also be analyzed from the perspective of land–sea interaction or the socio-economic activities that take place in the area. Last but not least, the coastal area holds great significance for biodiversity, as well as for the communities that live there, their traditions and customs, and their cultural heritage, especially in the context of climate change and sea-level rise. In this context, the present paper aims to analyze the social and economic aspects of environmental protection issues and how these factors, identified by a series of indicators, can coexist together. The target area is Kinvara Bay, which is located south of the Atlantic’s Galway Bay, in the western part of Ireland.