IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/endesu/v23y2021i2d10.1007_s10668-020-00697-y.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Local perceptions regarding a social–ecological system of the mediterranean coast: the Mar Menor (Región de Murcia, Spain)

Author

Listed:
  • Noelia Guaita-García

    (University of Alcalá)

  • Julia Martínez-Fernández

    (New Water Culture Foundation)

  • Carlos Javier Barrera-Causil

    (Metropolitan Technological Institute)

  • Miguel Ángel Esteve-Selma

    (University of Murcia)

  • H. Carl Fitz

    (University of South Florida)

Abstract

The social–ecological system of the Mar Menor located in southeastern Spain is facing serious environmental degradation which is generating important economic and social impacts. This article analyzes the local community perception in the Mar Menor area about the causes, consequences and possible solutions to current problems, especially the eutrophic crisis in the Mar Menor lagoon. For this research, a survey based on a questionnaire was conducted in 2017 and answered by 498 people. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and principal component analysis. Results showed significant differences among the groups of respondents, according to their profession and main economic activity, but the results also point to an important consensus in the group of respondents. It is worth noting that the broad consensus was that agricultural activities are the main causes of the entry of nutrients into the lagoon, and the respondents indicated that the priority should be given to measures to reduce nutrient inputs. This consensus, which is very different from the results obtained in previous studies, represents a very recent change of perception in relation to the role of agriculture in the Mar Menor. However, the broad consensus in the diagnosis of the current problem is not reflected in the varying opinions regarding the possible solutions or management options. Survey responses regarding solutions varied greatly across groups: There were important differences between (a) the respondents’ perceptions of the best solutions, and (b) the main management practices undertaken by the public administration at this point. This finding highlights a potential conflict that should be considered in any decision-making processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Noelia Guaita-García & Julia Martínez-Fernández & Carlos Javier Barrera-Causil & Miguel Ángel Esteve-Selma & H. Carl Fitz, 2021. "Local perceptions regarding a social–ecological system of the mediterranean coast: the Mar Menor (Región de Murcia, Spain)," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 2882-2909, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:23:y:2021:i:2:d:10.1007_s10668-020-00697-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-020-00697-y
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10668-020-00697-y
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10668-020-00697-y?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ing-Marie Gren & Paul Jannke & Katarina Elofsson, 1997. "Cost-Effective Nutrient Reductions to the Baltic Sea," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 10(4), pages 341-362, December.
    2. Lacroix, Anne & Beaudoin, Nicolas & Makowski, David, 2005. "Agricultural water nonpoint pollution control under uncertainty and climate variability," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 53(1), pages 115-127, April.
    3. Jose M. Martínez-Paz & Angel Perni & Federico Martínez-Carrasco, 2013. "Assessment of the Programme of Measures for Coastal Lagoon Environmental Restoration Using Cost--Benefit Analysis," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(2), pages 131-148, February.
    4. Antonio Martínez-Graña & Diego Gómez & Fernando Santos-Francés & Teresa Bardají & José Luis Goy & Caridad Zazo, 2018. "Analysis of Flood Risk Due to Sea Level Rise in the Menor Sea (Murcia, Spain)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-19, March.
    5. Elofsson, Katarina, 2010. "Cost-effectiveness of the Baltic Sea Action Plan," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(5), pages 1043-1050, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Isabel Banos-González & Patricia Esteve-Guirao & Magdalena Valverde-Pérez & Ana Ruiz-Navarro, 2022. "“Why Has the Water Turned Green?” A Problem of Eutrophication in Primary School," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Francisco José Morales Yago & José Manuel Jurado Almonte & María José Cuesta Aguilar, 2024. "Spain’s La Manga del Mar Menor (Murcia), a Space Transformed by Tourist Activity—Analysis from the Geography of Perception," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-31, November.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Balana, Bedru Babulo & Vinten, Andy & Slee, Bill, 2011. "A review on cost-effectiveness analysis of agri-environmental measures related to the EU WFD: Key issues, methods, and applications," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(6), pages 1021-1031, April.
    2. George HALKOS & Georgia GALANI, 2014. "Cost Effectiveness Analysis in Reducing Nutrient Loading in Baltic and Black Seas A Review," Journal of Advanced Research in Management, ASERS Publishing, vol. 5(1), pages 28-51.
    3. Kari Hyytiäinen & Lassi Ahlvik & Heini Ahtiainen & Janne Artell & Anni Huhtala & Kim Dahlbo, 2015. "Policy Goals for Improved Water Quality in the Baltic Sea: When do the Benefits Outweigh the Costs?," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 61(2), pages 217-241, June.
    4. Bystrom, Olof & Andersson, Hans & Gren, Ing-Marie, 2000. "Economic criteria for using wetlands as nitrogen sinks under uncertainty," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 35(1), pages 35-45, October.
    5. Elofsson, Katarina & Folmer, Henk & Gren, Ing-Marie, 2003. "Management of eutrophicated coastal ecosystems: a synopsis of the literature with emphasis on theory and methodology," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 47(1), pages 1-11, November.
    6. Cyril Bourgeois & Nosra Ben-Fradj & Mélissa Clodic & Pierre-Alain Jayet, 2011. "How cost-effective is a mixed policy targeting the management of three pollutants from N-fertilizers," Working Papers 2011/03, INRA, Economie Publique.
    7. Markou, Giorgos & Georgakakis, Dimitris, 2011. "Cultivation of filamentous cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) in agro-industrial wastes and wastewaters: A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(10), pages 3389-3401.
    8. Strauss, Peter & Leone, Antonio & Ripa, Maria & Turpin, Nadine & Lescot, Jean-Marie & Laplana, Ramon, 2006. "Using critical source areas for targeting cost-effective best management practices to mitigate phosphorus and sediment transfer at the watershed scale," MPRA Paper 66256, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Dellink, Rob & Brouwer, Roy & Linderhof, Vincent & Stone, Karin, 2011. "Bio-economic modeling of water quality improvements using a dynamic applied general equilibrium approach," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 63-79.
    10. Julio Berbel & Julia Martin-Ortega & Pascual Mesa, 2011. "A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Water-Saving Measures for the Water Framework Directive: the Case of the Guadalquivir River Basin in Southern Spain," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 25(2), pages 623-640, January.
    11. Cyril Bourgeois & Pierre-Alain Jayet & Florence Habets & Pascal Viennot, 2018. "Estimating the Marginal Social Value of Agriculturally Driven Nitrate Concentrations in an Aquifer: A Combined Theoretical-Applied Approach," Water Economics and Policy (WEP), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 4(01), pages 1-30, January.
    12. Schönhart, Martin & Trautvetter, Helene & Parajka, Juraj & Blaschke, Alfred Paul & Hepp, Gerold & Kirchner, Mathias & Mitter, Hermine & Schmid, Erwin & Strenn, Birgit & Zessner, Matthias, 2018. "Modelled impacts of policies and climate change on land use and water quality in Austria," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 500-514.
    13. Ing-Marie Gren, 2001. "International Versus National Actions Against Nitrogen Pollution of the Baltic Sea," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 20(1), pages 41-59, September.
    14. Stéphane De Cara & Florence Jacquet & Arnaud Reynaud & Gaël Goulevant & Marie-Hélène Jeuffroy & Philippe Lucas & Françoise Montfort, 2009. "Economic analysis of summer fallow management to reduce take-all disease and N-leaching in a wheat crop rotation," LERNA Working Papers 09.07.283, LERNA, University of Toulouse.
    15. Lopez-Becerra, E.I. & Alcon, F., 2021. "Social desirability bias in the environmental economic valuation: An inferred valuation approach," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    16. Francisco Alcon & Julia Martin-Ortega & Francisco Pedrero & Juan Alarcon & M. Miguel, 2013. "Incorporating Non-market Benefits of Reclaimed Water into Cost-Benefit Analysis: A Case Study of Irrigated Mandarin Crops in southern Spain," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 27(6), pages 1809-1820, April.
    17. Rosario Perez-Espejo & Alonso Aguilar Ibarra & Jose Luis Escobedo-Sagaz, 2011. "Agriculture and Water Pollution: Farmers' Perceptions in Central Mexico," International Journal of Water Resources Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(1), pages 263-273, March.
    18. Elofsson, Katarina, 2014. "International knowledge diffusion and its impact on the cost-effective clean-up of the Baltic Sea," Working Paper Series 2014:06, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department Economics.
    19. Martínez-Paz, José Miguel & Banos-González, Isabel & Martínez-Fernández, Julia & Esteve-Selma, Miguel Ángel, 2019. "Assessment of management measures for the conservation of traditional irrigated lands: The case of the Huerta of Murcia (Spain)," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 382-391.
    20. Sergey Rabotyagov & Catherine L. Kling & Philip W. Gassman & Nancy N. Rabalais & R. Eugene Turner, 2012. "Economics of Dead Zones: Linking Externalities from the Land to their Consequences in the Sea, The," Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) Publications 12-wp534, Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) at Iowa State University.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:23:y:2021:i:2:d:10.1007_s10668-020-00697-y. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.