CHAPTER 8. Coastal Environmental Resources and Users – Portugal

This chapter presents an overview and analysis of the various aspects of resources and users in the three Portuguese cases of Lisbon Metropolitan Area (LMA), Eastern Algarve (EA) and Funchal Metropolitan Area (FMA). The LMA case study encompasses resources from the Tagus estuary, as well as the adjacent river and seafront. This area is briefly characterized by the presence of some ecological values under conservation status as well as intense construction for residential and economic purposes. Thus it is home of some polluting activities and difficult acess to waterfront due to port and shipping activities, as well as anthropogenic occupation of flooding risk areas. The EA case study includes resources like barrier islands with protection status, coastal cliffs with high level of erosion risk, and an urban-touristic section, characterized by the intense building occupation and soil sealing. This area has a strong demand during the summer season which results on potential conflicting activities also due to high diversity of stakeholders with different rights and interests over the territory. The FMA case study covers the Funchal an Santa Cruz coastline with its several pebbles and rocky beaches, the Funchal Marine Eco-Park and the Funchal Bay with its cruise port. This area is sought by a number of underwater and cruise tourists, generating an intense demand for more recreation and housing areas intensifying the need to have easier access to the seashore, the traffic flow and sewage pollution sources.