Approaches to Integrated Coastal Management in Brazil in the Light of the Anthropocene

Bombana, Briana; Freitas, Rodrigo Rodrigues de; Santos, Claudia Regina dos

doi:10.1590/1809-4422asoc00271vu28L2FT

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Enanppas 2023 • Ambient. soc. 28 • 2025 • https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-4422asoc00271vu28L2FT linkcopy

Approaches to Integrated Coastal Management in Brazil in the Light of the Anthropocene

Abordajes De La Gestión Costera Integrada En Brasil A La Luz Del Antropoceno

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Abstract

This study mapped the literature on Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) approaches in Brazil within the context of the Anthropocene. The bibliographic research used descriptors related to three main areas: 1) Anthropocene; 2) Coastal Management/Governance; and 3) Brazilian Coastal Zones. Eight approaches were identified, with emphasis on risk management and ecosystem-based management. The analysis included both a quantitative review of the approaches and a qualitative analysis, guided by four key characteristics of the Anthropocene: great acceleration, spatial and temporal transcendence, emergent properties, and irreversibility. While the approaches highlight a systemic and cross-sectoral path for ICM, grounded in principles of justice and learning, they reveal limitations in addressing deeper challenges of the Anthropocene. This suggests the need to explore new and less discussed approaches.

Keywords:
Anthropocene; great acceleration; integrated coastal management; environmental education; adaptation

Mentioned approaches	N	%
Risk management	22	28.9%
Ecosystem-based management (EBM)	15	19.7%
Co-management and adaptive co-management	4	6.6%
Systematic planning for conservation	3	3.9%
Adaptive management	3	3.9%
Sustainable territorial development	1	1.3%
Spatial and/or environmental justice	1	1.3%
NEXUS+	1	1.3%
Subtotal	51	67.1%
None in particular	18	23.7%
Governance	4	5.3%
No access to the text	3	3.9%
Total General	73	100.0%

Great acceleration		Characteristics of the Anthropocene
Great acceleration		Great acceleration	Spatio-temporal unit	Emergent properties	Irreversibility
Influence on ICM		Questions the causes of transformations and highlights the urgency of sociocultural, economic, and technological actions, which breaks with the linearity of ICM and suggests “learning by doing,” oriented towards implementation with system feedback.	Frames coastal issues as part of historical and global processes, even when observed routinely and locally, highlighting their trajectory of irreversible changes, non-linearity, and cumulative impacts.	They question the belief that more scientific efforts can fully clarify coastal systems, highlighting that uncertainties persist at all stages of the ICM, from problem identification to policy formulation and monitoring (WARDEKKER et al., 2008).	Highlights the occurrence of profound changes in coastal areas, underscoring the need to anticipate negative impacts whenever possible and, above all, to learn to live with these impacts.
Approaches	Risk management	Fosters the capabilities for prevention, risk reduction, and response to the comprehensive impacts of accelerated changes.	Assume that we live in the “risk society” (BECK, 1992) which calls for a multi-scalar understanding of the causes and interrelations that lead to the possibility of harm.	Seeks to identify uncertainties and potential feedback to increase risk management capacity.	Draw routes and maps to reduce irreversible damage, as well as to increase recovery capacity when they occur.
	Adaptive management	Quick and effective responses, applying agility and coordination in the face of acceleration.	Vertical and horizontal collaboration improves coordination, and the response to feedback and changes.	Flexible responses to challenges, continuously adjusting to changes and uncertainties.	Facilitates adaptation to mitigate structural changes and long-term impacts.
	Spatial and/or environmental justice	Mitigates inequalities exacerbated by rapid changes, addressing impacts more effectively.	Facilitates territorial management at different scales, adapting strategies to the needs of less favored areas.	Fair access to resources and decisions aids in responding to the unpredictability and feedback of transformations.	Uses institutional and political mechanisms to implement policies that promote resilience in less favored areas.
	Sustainable territorial development	Autonomous alternative to global socioeconomic transformations with reduced contribution to acceleration.	Incorporates the notion of the globalized world, offering collective responses adapted to local realities.	It enhances a network of cooperation that has a greater capacity to face uncertainties and feedback.	This same network of cooperation acts to adapt to structural changes.
	EBM	The systemic approach addresses stressors and allows for managing rapid transformations in a multidimensional way.	The focus on the “sources” of resources highlights the interdependence of the system and promotes a multi-scalar and participatory approach.	Promotes resilience and adaptation by integrating elements and processes of the system with multi-level participation.	Focusing on the appropriate connections and scales of ecosystems improves the ability to deal with structural changes and impacts.
	Adaptive co-management	Focus on the application of learning through dialogue between different knowledge in response to changes in socio-ecological systems.	Choice of the socio-ecological system based on management criteria and creation of baselines for participatory monitoring.	Emphasizes the quick response to changes through a governance architecture focused on collaboration across levels.	Focuses on answers based on the learning generated by monitoring previously agreed-upon parameters of the socio-ecological system.
	Systematic planning for conservation	The planning of priority areas for biodiversity conservation increases socio-ecological resilience.	It can be applied from AMP (local) to a national level, ensuring the representation of all forms of biodiversity.	The redundancy of areas with similar structure and function ensures resilience in planning.	The planning must include a set of preventive actions aimed at avoiding or mitigating the identified threats.
	NEXUS+	The nexus of water, energy, and food analyzes the interactions between these sectors, assessing their direct and indirect effects in the face of changes or demands.	It considers complex interconnections and connects scientific research to policy formulation and the community of practice.	Fosters awareness of synergies and trade-offs when managing multiple environmental resources.	It requires the integration of the impacts of water, energy, and food use, offering alternatives to mitigate irreversible effects among these sectors.

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[TFN1] Source: Prepared by the authors, 2024.