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Abstract In Wales, there has been a concerted change in policy direction through the adoption of a new suite of legislation, presenting a mechanism for affecting change in how social, economic and environmental issues are addressed. From a coastal perspective, these Acts have the potential to improve management, resulting in sustainable, long-term solutions to the challenges facing Welsh coastal areas. Despite the positive rhetoric presented alongside these changes, their impact remains to be seen. In order to realise their expected success, engagement with practitioners charged with implementation is crucial to understanding the opportunities, challenges, successes and failures. Using saltmarshes as a lens to examine this new legislation, this paper presents the findings of a series of interviews with stakeholders from north Wales, exploring coastal practitioners' views of what the new Acts mean for them, identifying potential challenges and opportunities in the context of coastal management. A SWOT analysis informs a discussion of how the successful application of this innovative, ground-breaking suite of legislation may be achieved. The research found stakeholders to be generally positive about the new legislation, and the changes to coastal management that they signal across Wales. Opportunities included supporting greater collaboration, cross-sector working, interdisciplinarity and the potential to provide a blueprint for the rest of the UK as it navigates Brexit. Despite this positivity, concerns were expressed regarding funding and staff resources, lack of adequate support around implementation, among others. This integrated approach clearly stands as an opportunity to bridge traditional sectoral gaps instigating more effective stakeholder dialogue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal areas are facing increasing pressures, resulting in unprecedented levels of change that require an adaptive and flexible governance system. Through its devolved powers, governance in Wales has undergone significant change, with new legislation providing ‘world-leading’ and ‘innovative’ approaches to a range of social, economic and environmental challenges. This provides an opportunity to examine the extent to which ecosystem services have been translated into national policy, providing a useful case study for global coastal governance. This paper reviews five recent Welsh acts, focusing specifically on the case study system of saltmarshes and their ecosystem services, benefits and processes. A number of themes are identified, highlighting opportunities and challenges for global coastal governance. One key observation found that the language used within these 5 Acts is more clearly linked to ecosystem benefits, rather than language traditionally associated with ecosystem services. This evaluation of these Acts highlighted a limited inclusion of ecosystem services – perhaps, if ecosystem services are to be the lynchpin of coastal governance, a more explicit consideration of the concept is required at the highest of policy scales. Finally, recommendations are presented calling for greater inclusion of ecosystem services within high-level policy, and for an integrated and adaptive approach to coastal governance. In addition, it should be noted that although the study is based in a Welsh context, the outcomes are framed within a global scale, providing transferable insights. This paper contributes to the ongoing dialogue surrounding the concept of ecosystem services and its application within coastal governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global average sea levels are expected to rise by up to a metre by the end of the century. This long-term rise will combine with shorter-term changes in sea level (e.g. high tides, storm surges) to increase risks of flooding and erosion in vulnerable coastal areas. As communities become increasingly exposed to these risks, understanding their beliefs and responses becomes more important. While studies have explored public responses to climate change, less research has focused on perceptions of the specific risks associated with sea-level change. This paper presents the results of a mental models study that addressed this knowledge gap by exploring expert and public perceptions of sea-level change on the Severn Estuary, a threatened coastal environment in the southwest of the United Kingdom. A model was developed from the literature and expert interviews ( N = 11), and compared with public perceptions elicited via interviews ( N = 20) and a quantitative survey ( N = 359). Whilst we find a high degree of consistency between expert and public understandings, there are important differences that have implications for how sea level risks are interpreted and for what are perceived as appropriate mitigation and adaptation practices. We also find a number of potential barriers to engaging with the issue: individuals express low concern about sea-level change in relation to other matters; they feel detached from the issue, seeing it as something that will happen in future to other people; and many perceive that neither the causes of nor responses to sea-level change are their responsibility. We point to areas upon which future risk communications should therefore concentrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Most people in the East Asian region live in coastal zones, competing for limited space and marine resources in order to gain economic development. Conflicts between stakeholders and depredation of the ecosystem are frequent. Therefore, effective marine and coastal management (MCM) is necessary in this region. This study comparatively analyses institutional and legal basis of the MCM in Japan, South Korea, China and Taiwan within the areas of state organisations, non-state organisations and legal basis using 12 performance indicators. The study show that there is a trend towards establishing specific high-level marine affairs committees presided by the prime minister or his deputy supported by human and financial resources will enable MCM plans to be implemented more effectively. In addition, a co-management approach in MCM has been advocated in recent years in all the countries analysed, with the exception of China. The management approach for ocean governance has gradually transformed from a total top-down approach to a dual-directional (both top-down and bottom-up). Finally, the importance of the collective consideration of the legal basis, state organisations and non-organisations because of their interactive functional dynamics, has been emphasised. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to identify important factors for successful integrated coastal management (ICM). This has been achieved by reviewing secondary literature and providing a synthesis of the ideas used in existing studies of coastal management. The paper demonstrates that there are significant gaps in empirical research in the field of ICM, particularly in reviewing success factors at the level of regional and local initiatives. The paper discusses the methods that academics use in conducting research that measures success. Suggestions are offered for future research and theoretical realism is presented as a fruitful approach for further studies in this field. The intention is also to contribute to practical management by aiding practitioners—the project officers and government officers who co-ordinate and run coastal management initiatives—to think reflexively about the type of management they are encouraging. A list of important factors for successful ICM is presented, allowing practitioners to check whether their initiative has procedures that will contribute to effective management. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Climate change is one of the most serious issues to affect modern society. What originated as a scientific question has evolved into a complex political and social issue. The policy context recognises the pivotal role of education in encouraging effective engagement and behavioural responses to projected climate changes. It is relatively easy to nod assent to the principles of climate change education and engagement, but harder to deliver. This paper explores experiences of educating and engaging current and future decision makers, namely pupils, teachers, charity workers, small business owners and councillors on the subject of climate change in Wales. It draws conclusions about the existing climate for learning as well as the potential for overcoming challenges associated with information needs of these existing and future decision-makers. It considers the broader issue of whether current climate change information and education frameworks are fit for purpose and able to support effective climate change mitigation and adaptation activities. The findings suggest that many climate change communications from international organisations are not being received or understood at local levels, indicating a need for further and simpler 'translation' of science. Despite a strong formal education system in Wales, there are variations in basic skills (such as map reading and graph interpretation), required for simple climate change science interpretation. Finally, our results point to a need for climate literacy to be gained through interactive long-term learning rather than one-off training, particularly given some of the entrenched views of the older age groups involved in the study. • Reviews existing climate for learning. • Develops experiences for educating and engaging various audiences in climate change. • Considers the information needs of existing and future decision-makers. • Provides discussion on climate change information and education frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal change, including severe winter storms, requires decision-makers to understand the nature of coastal hazards so they can manage the risks and protect coastal communities. This study has provided the first structured quantitative analysis of the scientific underpinning and transparency associated with key policies dictating the future of the coastline in England and Wales. Based on a content analysis of first and second generation shoreline management plans, it has queried the visibility, clarity and transparency of evidence. Results point to improved evidence and understanding at the regional-scale, but issues associated with the transparency of the science informing policy at local levels. Inconsistencies in performance appear to relate to differing approaches of the consultancies preparing the plans rather than the nature of the coasts, the types of policies or the government guidance informing plan development. The study points to a need for a more thorough quality assurance process at national level and calls for clearer guidance on how these regional coastal adaptation plans and their supporting science should be read and interpreted by relevant stakeholder audiences. There are clear lessons from this study for planning processes elsewhere, especially those involving the downscaling of regionally based data and information. There are also potential applications of our criteria-based approach to other planning systems which require scientific scrutiny and transparency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) enjoys growing support within the UK. It is therefore timely to assess the factors which have influenced the evolution of the current administrative system and to investigate the extent to which the current organisational arrangements provide a suitable framework within which ICM can develop. Coastal management is indebted to related developments in conservation and environmental management. As a corrective to fragmented and largely sectoral institutional arrangements, limited integrative mechanisms have recently been introduced. Further opportunities arising from the establishment of regional government and with European initiatives should consolidate the establishment of a more integrated coastal management regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]