Interdisciplinary diagnosis and scenario analysis for the implementation of a coastal protected area, Laguna de Rocha Uruguay

Abstract

Management of protected areas is a complex task due to ecosystems&rsquo inherent variability and the conflicting interests of land users. Interdisciplinary approaches are therefore needed to evaluate the feasibility of implementation. We ana-lyzed the environmental and socioeconomic situation of the Laguna de Rocha(Uruguay) protected area and its catchment area to contribute to its induction into the National System of Protected Areas of Uruguay. We mapped the high prior-ity conservation ecosystems, evaluated land use changes, analyzed perceptions, power, and the affinity of social actors toward the protected area implementation, and determined the total economic value of goods and services of the watershed. We analyzed land use tensions and scenarios of economic and climate change. We found that priority conservation ecosystems were well represented within the protected area. The main land use changes were increases in afforestation, over-sowing, and artificial pasture. The effective and participatory implementation of Laguna de Rocha protected area will prevent further loss of ecosystem services upon which the community depends.