Coastal Scenic Beauty and Sensitivity at the Balearic Islands, Spain: Implication of Natural and Human Factors

Coastal areas globally are facing a significant range of environmental stresses, enhanced by climate change-related processes and continuous increase human activities. The economic benefits tourism well-known for coastal regions, but, very often, conflicts arise between short-term long-term conservation goals. Among beach user preferences, five parameters greater importance stand out from the rest, i.e., safety, facilities, water quality, litter scenery; latter is main concern this study. A scenic evaluation was carried in Balearic Islands focused on two major issues: beauty together with sensitivity to natural pressure. archipelago renowned as top international tourist destination that receives more than 13.5 million visitors (2019). Impressive landscape diversity makes Balearics an ideal field research. In total, 52 sites, respectively located Ibiza (11), Formentera (5), Mallorca (18) Menorca (18), were field-tested. first step, quantified using system (CSES) method, based 26 physical parameters, weighting matrices fuzzy logic mathematics. An index (“D”) obtained each site, allowing one classify them classes established method. Twenty-nine sites included class I, corresponding extremely attractive (CSES), which mainly observed Menorca. Several sound measures proposed maintain and/or enhance sites’ value. second evaluated novel methodological approach possible assessment three different indexes (CSSI), NSI, HSI total TSI. Future change trends projection development, studied at municipality scale, considered correction factors. All islands showed places highly sensitive processes, while pressure essentially Mallorca. Thereafter, categorized into groups methodology. Results useful pointing sceneries well limiting, preventing anticipating future degradation linked issues.