Papers by Michelle Portman
Marine Pollution Bulletin, Jul 1, 2020
Marine litter is one of the most pressing problems of our time and a major threat to ocean health... more Marine litter is one of the most pressing problems of our time and a major threat to ocean health; much of it comes from land-based sources, including from beachgoer activities. This study investigates how product design could influence littering behaviors of beachgoers when applied to beach trash cans (TCs). Over the course of six weeks three differently designed TCs were placed on a Mediterranean Sea tourist beach in Israel while observers tracked the behavior of 536 nearby groups ("entities") of beachgoers. Researchers analyzed: a) entities' locational choices; b) materials discarded in the TCs; and c) littering behaviors around the TCs. Based on the data collected, a "motivating" TC design performed best, encouraging the highest level of beachgoer interaction. Further research is needed in more and varied beach contexts, but this type of initial interdisciplinary research suggests how the design discipline could contribute to preventing marine litter from land-based sources.
Social Science Research Network, 2016
ABSTRACT Marine protected areas (MPAs) are critical to the well-being of threatened ecosystems an... more ABSTRACT Marine protected areas (MPAs) are critical to the well-being of threatened ecosystems and thus can be highly beneficial to humans, especially to those residing nearby. We explore the qualities of 117 MPAs in the Mediterranean basin and develop a taxonomy of their characteristics. We relate the spatial distribution of the MPAs to the various characteristics of the taxonomy (size, distance from shore, protection levels, management regimes, etc.) and to areas of high human impact and influence levels. To do this we use information on biogeographic regions and information from two different human influence models; one model developed for the marine environment and one covering the littoral terrestrial environment. Our analysis provides insights to planners and managers working in a regional capacity and trying to build MPA networks. Generally, current MPAs have not been established in high impact areas despite their being close to shores containing intense human activity. Decision-makers wishing to design and establish new MPAs may seek out areas of high cumulative human impacts (near the marine-terrestrial interface) or avoid them depending on marine conservation objectives, including the desire to vary types of MPAs within a network. Limitations of our analysis and methodology indicate areas for further research.
This excel file holds the results of a survey administered to 169 marine sports/recreation users.
This chapter introduces the ecosystem services (ES) approach as it pertains to marine and coastal... more This chapter introduces the ecosystem services (ES) approach as it pertains to marine and coastal environments. It starts with a description of the approach’s development, relates the approach to coastal and marine environments and ends on a somewhat critical note. Despite a great amount of attention to the ES approach in conservation literature and its pivotal position in the field of ecology, it struggles to achieve universal and transdisciplinary appeal. This chapter discusses some of the challenges of using ES in planning decisions and of building consensus around ES, and explores the application of this approach across different land and seascape units. ES assessment still requires much research and practical work; finding ways to incorporate ES values into the work of planners in the marine and coastal environment is perhaps as important as it is challenging.
Water management has recently changed from relying purely on technical and engineering methods to... more Water management has recently changed from relying purely on technical and engineering methods towards nature-based solutions. These solutions can potentially benefit beyond hydrological concerns, such as improving life quality and biodiversity conservation. These measures are referred to as Natural Water Retention Measures (NWRM) in the water sector. Identifying the optimal type and locations of these measures is challenging due to the abundance of possible solutions, with different potential benefits and varying effects, depending on the characteristics of each place. Most research into sustainable runoff management addresses quantity, quality, and economic issues; few studies link these considerations with environmental and social benefits. We propose a methodology for identifying the most effective areas to place NWRMs and offer criteria for selecting appropriate measures based on hydrological, ecological, and social benefits.To simulate the effect of NWRM, we applied the Open Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution and Erosion Comparison Tool (OpenNSPECT) to simulate the hydrological processes in the Tavor basin. We ran the model multiple times; each time, we simulated increased infiltration in a different land parcel and used the resulting change in runoff, sediment, and pollutants to construct a Pareto frontier graph. We then identified a set of appropriate measures for each area using information from the EU Directorate General for the Environment to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of different water retention measures. Different measures were selected when considering social and ecological benefits than only hydrological benefits, further highlighting the importance of accounting for these aspects. This methodology, which links hydrological concerns with the less commonly found ecological and social aspects, could serve as a decision-making tool for planners and stakeholders with sustainable runoff management.
This chapter reiterates the main messages of this book. It also articulates fundamental definitio... more This chapter reiterates the main messages of this book. It also articulates fundamental definitions of the methods, tools and technologies used for environmental planning of oceans and coasts, the targeted benefits of their use, the possible pitfalls of implementation and how shortcomings can be overcome. Methods described include ecosystem-based management, ecosystem services and the precautionary principle; tools discussed are marine protected areas and pollution prevention policies; technologies briefly described include those aimed at improving communication about the coastal environment and decision support applications. Change, both in marine and coastal environments and in the field of environmental planning, is emphasized throughout.
In the form of four W’s: Why? Where? When? and Who?, this chapter describes some of the instituti... more In the form of four W’s: Why? Where? When? and Who?, this chapter describes some of the institutional issues related to ocean and coastal planning. It covers why special or unique approaches are needed, what areas (locations) are included in the coastal zone and make up the different maritime zones. A brief history of how coastal and ocean planning and management has developed is presented, and lastly, the chapter gives examples of international, national and sub-federal entities involved in planning for oceans and coasts. With these emphases, the chapter provides a foundation for further study of environmental planning for oceans and coasts.
Springer eBooks, Jul 6, 2013
Man’s ability to exploit marine resources has improved in recent decades and as expected, efforts... more Man’s ability to exploit marine resources has improved in recent decades and as expected, efforts of exploitation have intensified. To avoid conflicts and support ecosystem-based principles, determination of pro-active marine policy based on an understanding of current and future uses of the marine environment is essential. This chapter highlights major uses of the marine and near shore environment of Israel. I relate trends in marine uses in this part of the Mediterranean Sea to corresponding past policy developments in coastal and near-shore management. Current policies fail to address new and increasing uses, especially those that are exclusively marine and/or beyond the country’s territorial waters. The lack of marine policy in Israel is particularly worrisome when one considers the value of the country’s offshore resources and the pressures on its terrestrial resources. Approaches such as marine ecosystem based management, integrated coastal zone management and mechanisms for the pro-active mediation of develop and conservation interests, such as marine spatial planning, are discussed in terms of their potential contribution for the management of evolving and emerging uses of the sea.
Conservation Biology, Jun 1, 2008
Springer eBooks, 2016
This chapter discusses some of the major pollution prevention measures for ocean and coastal envi... more This chapter discusses some of the major pollution prevention measures for ocean and coastal environments. Catastrophic events, particularly offshore oil spills, have influenced environmental protection of both oceans and coasts in many ways. Ocean pollution results both from such major events and from routine activities, both on land and at sea. Two types of marine pollution are discussed at length as examples: oil pollution from ships and litter. Programs and regulations aimed at prevention addressing these and other sources of pollution are continually developing – but the challenges are great. Marine pollution is both persistent and widespread and, as such, poses many challenges for planners.
This module provides the much needed information on basics of marine protected areas (MPAs) and p... more This module provides the much needed information on basics of marine protected areas (MPAs) and provides insights into the differences between MPAs and terrestrial protected areas, special conditions that affect the management of MPAs, and the categories and types of MPAs. This module covers the key issues of community participation and the role of indigenous communities in managing the MPAs and in coastal and marine biodiversity management. The module also contains information on different types of MPAs in India, their locations and on the benefits and challenges that management of MPAs involves.
Aquatic Conservation-marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, Jun 21, 2018
Broad habitat type (mandatory) select 1-2: coastal < Broad habitat type General theme or applicat... more Broad habitat type (mandatory) select 1-2: coastal < Broad habitat type General theme or application (mandatory) select 1-2: land-use < General theme or application, Special Area of Conservation < General theme or application Broad taxonomic group or category (mandatory, if relevant to paper) select 1-2: fish < Broad taxonomic group or category, invertebrates < Broad taxonomic group or category
Oceanography, Jun 1, 2010
Various physical elements of ocean environments, those driven by geologic and climatic forces, ha... more Various physical elements of ocean environments, those driven by geologic and climatic forces, have implications for oceans policy and law and therefore for planning. Living resource systems interact with these physical elements to form the ecological systems that require the attention of environmental planners. After providing a basic knowledge about how hydrographers describe the physical formations of the sea, the development of national and international regulatory regimes in view of these descriptions is discussed. At its close, this chapter addresses how laws and policies incorporate ecosystem-based management and the precautionary principle in ocean resource management, as well as how these are addressed by international policy.
Springer eBooks, 2016
Despite the growing use of ecosystem service (ES) assessment to value natural landscapes exposed ... more Despite the growing use of ecosystem service (ES) assessment to value natural landscapes exposed to development pressures on the edge of urban landscapes, practical applications have been few. In a pilot research project, we integrate changes in different types of ES along a gradient of land-and seascape units (terrestrial, coastal and marine). This gradient includes developed urban and peri-urban areas, and undeveloped areas including submerged lands in the coastal (territorial) waters of Israel. The emphasis in our research is on development of a practical methodology for sustainable (urban and rural) development. Goals of the pilot project presented here include: (1) evaluation of various ecosystem services based on categorical indicators for each of the four ES types: provisional, regulating, supporting and cultural; (2) development of a method that can be used on a wider scale across varying landscape units; and (3) refi nement of scenario building relevant to local planning institutions and frameworks. The project's fi nal product consists of GIS-generated maps. These maps are the basis for weighing trade-offs in ES across relevant land-and seascape units in the Mt. Carmel region of Israel. Despite some limitations, this approach to ES assessment is helpful, and if improved upon in some of the ways described herein, it can provide the fi rst steps for infusing ES values within planning frameworks in Israel and beyond.
Ecological Engineering, Sep 1, 2018
Intense human activity in the marine environment poses a threat to marine ecosystem. The ecosyste... more Intense human activity in the marine environment poses a threat to marine ecosystem. The ecosystem-based planning and management approach has developed over the past decades with the goal of reducing this threat by defining planning and management of uses in a way that mitigates negative effects on ecosystem structure and function. For oceans and coasts, marine spatial planning (MSP) can further aid the implementation of ecosystembased management, a widely accepted tenet of planning for the marine environment. It can do so by allocating different uses of space in a way that reduces conflicts for the benefit of the environment. Here, we propose an approach to MSP that incorporates principles of reconciliation ecology for the planning of marine (nearshore) enclosures. The approach supports conservation within and around anthropogenic elements outside of marine protected areas. Since human activity typically involves some damage to natural ecosystem, this research contributes by proposing a way to incorporate ecosystem modeling for MSP that includes human activity. Examining areas of human activity under different management scenarios allows identification of possible trends in human-natural ecosystem interactions. Using such an approach increases marine conservation opportunities, and directs educated and cautious MSP in ways that allow implementation of an ecosystem-based approach.
Journal of Coastal Conservation, Nov 1, 2007
Policy tools that allow for the coordination of various authorities at different levels of govern... more Policy tools that allow for the coordination of various authorities at different levels of government are important for coastal protected areas. Frequently, multiple authorities manage these areas with varied and sometimes conflicting goals. This study examines a regulatory model implemented on the Cape Cod National Seashore in the US that uses federally-approved zoning to regulate private uses for protection of natural coastal resources. Local authorities implement the zoning which is designed to support national resource protection goals making this a prime model of cross-level governance for conservation. I use case study analysis to evaluate the program's effectiveness by focusing on implementation and compliance in the context of multijurisdictional (i.e., national to local) relations. The analysis and subsequent discussion highlight the difficulties associated with implementation of intergovernmental mandates. Also, theoretical perspectives on compliance give insights about the implementation challenges of this model. The model's limitations have implications for policymakers considering similar schemes implemented by split and hierarchical authorities with different, and possibly conflicting, coastal management goals.
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Papers by Michelle Portman