The management of the socio-ecological systems of the Bay of Cádiz: New public policies with old instruments?

Abstract

The Bay of Cádiz is a geographical area that houses five well-differentiated socio-ecological systems. The hypothesis assumes the important role that public policies have had in the changes of the socio-ecological systems of the Bay of Cádiz. The objectives of the paper are intended to demonstrate, on the one hand, that the development model has resulted in the loss of ecosystem services. On the other hand, an attempt will be made to demonstrate that public management instruments are not efficient to protect and conserve these socio-ecological systems. Changes in these socio-ecological systems have been very significant in the last 60 years. This is easily visible from a territorial point of view. A first evaluation of the main ecosystem services, as well as their impact on human well-being, describes an unsustainability process (DPSIWR). In the second part of the research, 15 different public management instruments, developed between 2004 and 2018, have been carefully analysed. These instruments are interpreted as the responses offered by public policies to the problems of the Bay of Cádiz. Afterwards, the 15 chosen cases have been contrasted in the form of 18 questions. Everything seems to indicate serious difficulties in implementing new policies with old criteria.