Socio-ecological Transformations in Coastal Wetlands: An Approach from the South-Central Zone of Chile

Abstract

Significance StatementThe increase in the world population has generated high pressures on the different ecosystems, mainly due to the expansion of urban areas and productive activities such as agriculture. Coastal wetlands are among the most affected ecosystems, which due to their geographical location are highly fragile and susceptible to changes and pressures. The aims of this research are focus on (1) Making a comparison regarding to the changes experienced in two similar coastal wetlands with actual protection measures (one Ramsar site and national reserve since 1996 and another declared a nature sanctuary in 2017). (2) evaluating the main transformations in both wetlands, as socio-ecological systems, from human activity and the extent of public policies that can be generated that go around the protection of these ecosystems.