Nested Socio-Ecological Maps as a Spatial Planning Instrument for Estuary Conservation and Ecosystem-Based Management

Estuaries are socio-ecological systems that can be represented as a holistic combination of biotic and abiotic conditions in spatially explicit units defined by: (i) the ecotope, integration physiotope (abiotic-homogeneous units) biotope (biotic-homogeneous units), (ii) anthrotope, synthesizing data on human drivers ecological change. Nested physiotopes were identified an estuary using hierarchical approach integrates information about eight abiotic, biologically meaningful, variables. The Zostera noltei was delimited potential distribution model species overlapped with map to characterize ecotopes. anthrotope estimated cumulative impacts anthropic activities over diversity Z. ecotopes compared estimate pressures this species. methodology resulting maps provide flexible interdisciplinary tools for conservation, management, education research.