Exploring the future of the

Amoreira Estuary:
A Socio-Ecological Analysis
Research proposal
Proposal report written by the Freshwater group of the Area Study Portugal part of the
Sustainable Development Minor 2024/2025, Leiden University.

Executed and written by:

Nicoleta-Klara Munteanu s3455548
Marta Fontana s3465128
Roan Raben s4544064
Raf van Wagenveld s2812495
Nicolás Moreno Gutièrrez s3709795

Submitted for assessment to:

CERES International Project

Leiden University, Faculty of Sciences

Einsteinweg 2, 2333 CC Leiden

Completion date: 12 December 2024

 Table of Contents

Table of Contents I

Executive Summary 1

1 About us 2

2 Introduction and Research Questions 4

3 Stakeholder Analysis 6

4 Methods 9
4.1 Environmental Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.2 Sociological Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

5 Deliverables and Impact 11

5.1 Deliverables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
5.2 Impact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

6 Planning 13

Appendix: Extras 14
.1 Resident Perception Survey Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
.2 Municipality Interview Topic List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
.3 Local Residents Interview Topic List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Bibliography 19

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 Area Study Portugal

Executive Summary

The Amoreira Estuary is under pressure. This seasonal, coastal brackish water ecosystem,
located at the junction between the Aljezur River and the Atlantic Ocean, is of immense
ecological importance; it connects freshwater to a saltwater system, acts as a biodiversity
haven, and protects the coastline from floods and erosion [1]. Further, its sandy banks and
tranquil waters merge into the Amoreira Beach, making the estuary suitable for kayaking and
paddleboarding, and attracting tourists. But in recent years, water scarcity in the Algarve has
threatened the future of this brackish ecosystem.

Namely, decreased precipitation, increased illegal water extraction, and upstream erosion have
disrupted the connectivity of the Amoreira estuary, segmenting the system in pieces [2]. Now,
instead of harboring transitional waters that slowly flow into the ocean, there is a sediment
barrier that blocks the river from reaching the ocean. As the increasingly sediment-loaded river
meets the sediment carried by the ocean, an insurmountable wall of sediment segregates the
estuary into a series of freshwater, coastal lagoons. The reduced flows of the Aljezur River
cannot overcome the increased sedimentation, hence fracturing a once-stable system. While
the estuary is not permanently blocked, it seems to be nearing an alternative stable state of
blockage in spite of efforts from the municipality; an attempt at dredging in 2022 has not since
been repeated, even though the estuary keeps blocking year after year. And while no broader
consequence has been researched so far, algae blooms, acidification, and dissolved oxygen loss
provide reasons for worry in a segmented system [3] [4].

With this in mind, WaterWise, together with CERES International, seeks to effectively
understand and address the social and environmental pressures in and around the estuary
to envision its future with and despite water stress. We start from the question "How do current
water stress in the Amoreira estuary ecosystem transform its ecological and social dynamics?"
to probe into the system its current environmental conditions and social interconnections.
Through an abiotic factor monitoring, we aim to build on the work from Monteiro et al [5] to
update the estuary ecosystem health and consolidate monitoring baselines; moreover, a series
of interviews with the municipality and residents of Aljezur will elucidate the intricate social
networks entwined in this ecological system. This is for two objectives: 1) providing a holistic
overview of current ecological condition and social importance; and 2) envisioning potential
pathways towards its future conservation.

Altogether, by expanding on previous research and engaging in interdisciplinary perspectives,

WaterWise is committed to contributing to long-lasting impact on the Amoreira estuary
ecosystem. We hope our research prompts further interest on the matter, sparks multi-stakeholder
dialogues, and helps build consensus that facilitates the conservation of the estuary.

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Research Proposal

PART 1

About us

We are WaterWise, an environmental consultancy firm founded in 2024. Our mission is to

integrate disciplinary approaches to tackle environmental issues and foster societal transitions
towards sustainability to ensure a prosperous future for all. We believe it is of crucial
importance to collaborate among different fields of expertise to comprehensively understand
complex issues and provide viable and effective solutions. Building from our diverse
backgrounds, we focus on combining natural science and social science approaches, aiming at
making the underlying connections between people and data visible. WaterWise is concerned
with bridging data with people, helping all stakeholders involved to better understand the
profound relationship between human activities and the environment.

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 Area Study Portugal

Klara (Political Science): Hi, my name is Klara Munteanu.

I am currently completing my bachelor's degree in International
Relations and Organizations at Leiden University, and following
the Sustainable Development minor, as I have a keen interest in
the area. Over the past few years, my academic and volunteer
experiences have allowed me to look deeply into issues that are
closely tied to both the socio-political and environmental spheres.
As part of my study, I have focused more on quantitative statistical
analysis, which I am excited to employ in the project, but I am now
more inclined towards other qualitative approaches. I am happy
to join this activity and contribute my skills while accumulating
experience in this area of interest.
Marta (International Studies): Hello! I am Marta, an Italian
student of International Studies at Leiden University. Throughout
my academic career, I was trained to analyze complex issues through
interdisciplinary approaches, combining political, economic, social,
and cultural aspects. My bachelor has taught me the importance
of combining several disciplines to find viable solutions for all. I
have always been passionate about sustainability, believing that
a multidisciplinary approach is essential to fostering a sustainable
future. One that will benefit both people and the environment, as
they are intrinsically connected.
Nicolás (Anthropology): Oi! My name is Nicolas and I come
from Colombia. I grew up in a house full of penguin plushies, whale
books, and ocean adventure stories. Ever since, I have cultivated
a passion for nature conservation; particularly when it comes to
aquatic ecosystems. My background in anthropology sets me up
for understanding the multiplicity of perspectives that underpin
social, economic, and environmental contemporary challenges, and,
perhaps most importantly, to find ways to embrace complexity and
work together. I am looking forward to getting started, learning
from other disciplines, and practicing my Portuguese!
Raf (Biology): Hello, I am Raf, a biology student from the
Netherlands. After studying bio-pharmaceuticals sciences and
medicine I finally landed at the right place with biology. Here
I came to the conclusion that instead of helping singular people I
would prefer to spend my time making the world a better place
(ideally)! I'm currently specializing in ecology and environmental
biology. I do already have some experience with fieldwork, but I'm
still really excited to put all my skills up to work in Portugal. And
I'm also looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone and
getting familiar with other disciplines.
Roan (Aerospace Engineering): Hi, I am Roan, an Aerospace
Engineering student at the TU Delft. During my Bachelor, I
developed a solid foundation of skills that I can use to solve complex
problems myself or in group work. With my Minor, I took the
opportunity to learn more about sustainability, as my Bachelor
program in Aerospace Engineering does not include many lectures
or courses on this matter. I'm really looking forward to partake in
this interdisciplinary project abroad in Portugal, a country I've not
visited to date!
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Research Proposal

PART 2

Introduction and Research Questions

Since ancient civilisations, estuaries have played a crucial role in human development because,
along with rivers, they served as the sites for founding cities and the beginning of economic
exchange [6]. Therefore, several coastal communities around the world have developed cultural
identities around estuarine activities, highlighting the sociocultural and economic relevance
of estuaries [7]. Estuaries involve a relevant number of economic activities that span from
fisheries, aquaculture, industrial and commercial activities, to tourism and various recreational
activities such as surfing and kayaking [8]. Moreover, estuaries represent crucial hotspots for
biodiversity. They are extremely dynamic habitats and important indicators of the health of
entire ecosystems because they provide essential conditions for a variety of species. The rich
biodiversity in estuaries is driven by complex interactions of several elements, including abiotic
factors, habitat quality, and human activities [9]. Since estuaries are the endpoint of rivers and
often sites of numerous human activities, they are extremely susceptible to the accumulation
of polluting compounds. Growing coastal populations and economic activity have resulted
in a greater amount of sewage sludge, dredged material, and industrial and municipal waste
being dumped into estuaries and oceans, contributing to increasing pollution and impact on
these areas [10] [11]. As a result, estuary systems typically show little resistance to change,
considering that they are highly susceptible to social, economic, and environmental stresses
[1]. The Amoreira Estuary, located in the southern Portuguese region of the Algarve, is no
exception.

Reduced rainfall in the area, and increased water extraction further upstream in the Aljezur
River, together with other human activities, are serious threats to the ecosystem's future [2].
These factors are increasingly impacting the Aljezur River's connection to the Atlantic Ocean,
limiting the ecosystem's efficient and healthy functioning. Currently, the Aljezur River displays
extremely insufficient water flows and pressures, which are unable to overcome the growing
sedimentation, effectively creating a blockage that prevents the connection between the river and
the Ocean. In our online meeting with Dr. Astrid Blum on December 1st 2024 she mentioned
that to this day, the estuary displays two very distinct areas: a dry sediment base that completes
the beach, and an increasingly less saline, lentic coastal lagoon. The Amoreira Estuary is
now facing concrete threats such as acidification, soil erosion and algae blooms that might
permanently impact the functioning of the ecosystem [3] [4] [11].

WaterWise builds on this understanding of the current social and environmental interlinkages
embodied through the estuary to render a holistic understanding of its current state and reveal
fruitful pathways towards its future. We start by identifying water stress as the underlying
issue for the future of the system, threatening not only the connectivity of the estuary, but the
region of the Algarve altogether [1] [2]. Thus, tracing the estuary's segmentation to broader
socio-environmental problems is pivotal; increased illegal water extraction and erosion are both
productive and reflective of current water shortages in the Algarve. How, then, to imagine an
Amoreira estuary amidst water stress? Together with CERES International we aim to shed
light on this novel issue, necessitating thorough analysis of the estuary's present conditions and
future possibilities.

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 Area Study Portugal

For this purpose, we aim to interlink multidisciplinary methods to shed light on two key aspects:

1. A holistic overview of the current ecological condition and social importance of the
Amoreira Estuary.

2. Envisioning potential pathways towards its future conservation.

We intend to build on the work of Monteiro et al. [5] to provide updated measurements of
water quality and the shape of the estuary in order to establish a comparative perspective of the
ecosystem health. This will be complemented by semi-structured interviews with government
officials and a survey diffused to the residents of Algarve, conveying the diversity of perspectives
and needs held by different stakeholders around this ecological system and interrogating outlooks
towards the future of the estuary; in our vision, perspectives towards the future not only reveal
present values and perspectives but also guide transformative change and serve as a valuable
source of input for effective policy. As a whole, we will provide an overarching overview that
combines social and ecological trends in and around the estuary with the aim of elucidating
future pathways for that nourish human and non-human lifeforms and allow the estuary to
thrive with and despite the water stress.

With the following goal in mind, we prompt the following research question:
How do current water stress in the Amoreira estuary ecosystem transform its
ecological and social dynamics?

To further elaborate on specific aspects, we devised the following sub-questions:

• Environmental Analysis:

– What is the current water quality across multiple measurement sites in the Amoreira
Estuary?

• Social Analysis:

– How is the municipality planning to intervene in the future of the estuary system?
– What is the perception of residents on the present and future of the estuary?

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Research Proposal

PART 3

Stakeholder Analysis

Understanding the perspectives of the multiplicity of stakeholders around the conservation of the
estuary is pivotal for devising a prognosis of its current problems and strategic long-term visions.
Below, an overview of the most influential stakeholders is provided. They are color-coded
with green standing for public authorities, blue for civic society, and turquoise for scientific
organizations and NGOs.

Figure 2: Stakeholder Analysis Matrix

Stakeholder Role What's at stake? How to engage?

CERES International Fostering The growth and suc- CERES will be our
environmental cess of their research point of departure; it
conservation initiative and the fu- is key that, therefore,
through experiential ture conservation of we maintain an open
multidisciplinary the estuary. discussion with them
research and reflect on our
positionalities.
Almargem - Associ- Interest in social and We do not expect a Point of reference for
acão de defesa do environmental issues big concern for the the kinds of activism
patrimônio ambiental affecting communities Almoreira estuary, in that other NGOs are
e cultural do Algarve across the Algarve. particular, coming carrying out in the
& other environmen- Their programmes of from this NGO; they region. Source of
tal NGOs environmental educa- act, rather, as a information on advo-
tion, ecological inter- regional lighthouse cacy engagement.
vention, and biomoni- for smaller NGOs.
toring.

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 Area Study Portugal

Stakeholder Role What's at stake? How to engage?

Farmers Agricultural The farmers are in- No direct
farmland volved in two main engagement.
productivity and ways: first, they are
sufficient water also being affected
supply. Livelihood by the same droughts
dependence. that bring down the
Aljezur River's water
volume; and second,
they may profit from
some of the now-
dry land for extra
crop cultivation or
grazing. Addition-
ally, to cope with
water stress and ex-
treme weather events,
illegal extraction of
water upstream has
increased in recent
years.
Low-Riparian As the estuary dries Riparian landowners Survey questions
Landowners and is blocked by are the most directly and limited life
sediment, landowners affected stakeholders history interviews
on the river banks in our analysis; they (potentially).
may be taking dif- are the ones who
ferent measures ac- witness firsthand the
cording to their own changes over time,
interests. This may whose economic activ-
include further balk- ities can be affected,
ing the waterways, and who may have
building, planting, or personal and cultural
other measures. attachments to the
ecosystem.
Aquaculture Some sections of The aquaculture's Interview + Site
Landowner the estuary have long-term occupancy Visit.
been cleared up is determined by
for a small-scale sufficient water
aquaculture project. provisioning from the
Developed by a river. If the river
single landowner, does not break the
all facilities are sediment barrier, the
administered by brackish conditions
the same person. that allow for the
Each lot is meant cultivation of seafood
to be rented to an are not met, let
aquaculturist. It is alone sufficient water
our understanding depth.
that there has not
been any recent
activity on the plots.
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Research Proposal

Stakeholder Role What's at stake? How to engage?

Tourists Have a landscape that The estuary attracts No planned engage-
fosters tranquillity, kayakers, stand-up ment.
recreation, and paddleboarders,
beauty. The Praia and water sports
de Amoreira has enthusiasts who do
become a palatable not wish to venture
destination for into the ocean.
surfers, increasing
the amount of
restaurants and
hostels in the city.
Residents of Aljezur Take part in and Enacting change in Survey questions.
are directly affected the estuary would
by social, economic, require engaging
and environmental with the resi-
change. dents'perspectives.
This requires
listening to the
multiple life stories
and notions of
prosperity they may
have around the
estuary.
Águas do Algarve Provisioning the The water system of Site visit + Inter-
region with water the Aljezur River falls views.
and guaranteeing under the Águas do
the long-term Algarve jurisdiction.
sustainability The water authority
and potability has been persistently
of freshwater calling for conscious
resources, including water use and the pro-
groundwater. tection of freshwater
reservoirs.
APA - Agência Main environmental Any adjudication or No direct
Portuguesa regulator in Portugal. large-scale transfor- engagement.
do Ambiente State-led agency from mation to take place
(Environmental the central govern- in the estuary would
Agency) ment that oversees have to be approved
and articulates with by the APA.
local actors climate
resiliency projects.
Conselho Municipal Interested in facilitat- Tearing down the sed- Interview with the
de Aljezur (Munici- ing social and eco- iment wall, providing director of the Servico
pality) nomic well-being to funding for other envi- de Águas e Sanea-
its citizens as well ronmental initiatives, mento (already in
as showcasing the re- and seeing to what ex- contact with the mu-
gion's potential to tent there should be nicipality).
tourists. More spe- environmental legisla-
cific organs, such as tion/enforcement for
the Servico de Águas the estuary in the
e Saneamento. future.
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Table 1: Stakeholder Analysis
 Area Study Portugal

PART 4

Methods

4.1 Environmental Analysis

Given the objective of our team in this project, we determined that the environmental analysis
of the Amoreira estuary is best acquired through water quality assessments. Previous research,
executed in January 2024, has mapped the shape of the estuary and selected sampling spots for
measuring abiotic factors. Our team aims to replicate their fieldwork in an attempt to validate
the earlier results. Thus, we will primarily make use of their protocols for our project, with
changes should they be necessary.

As the estuary is likely to have suffered geographical shifts over the course of the year, it is
important that we first assess its current shape and determine additional sampling spots. We
will focus on doing this as soon as we reach the location. There are several technical options for
the task, but two that stand out are: Polar heart rate monitor (with accurate GPS function)
and Avenza maps. We will determine the best solution in the field. Once the geolocation data
is acquired, we use GIS mapping to create the contour of the estuary, and we layer our own
findings on top of the previous map in order to determine the changes. This allows for a clear
visual representation of over-time shifts in the geography of the estuary. If we determine the
major differences, we will proceed to adding new sampling sites or removing them if necessary.
Only then can we proceed with the measurement of abiotic factors.

Figure 3: Mapping of Amoreira estuary in Janurary 2024

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Research Proposal

Following the previous research, five indicators of water quality will be measured: pH, tem-
perature, salinity, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen (DO). The latter will unfortunately not be
replicable, as previous assessments were not possible. These measurements are commonly used
in research that focuses on water quality [12], [13]. We will use the Hach HQd portable meter in
order to get the necessary data and create a comprehensive dataset with all variables of interest.
We plan to do three to five measurements per sampling site, depending on the conditions that
we find upon arrival. The data will then be compared against the existing measurement, and
conclusions about temporal changes in water quality will be drawn. The final results will also
be mapped using ArcGIS, thus providing a simple visual representation of variations across the
estuary.

4.2 Sociological Analysis

The sociological dimension of our project focuses on perceptions of the stability and well-being
of the Amoreira estuary currently, while also aiming to get perspectives about its future. Such
data will be gathered by employing the following methods: interviews with the most relevant
stakeholders and surveys with the residents. This approach allows for a thorough understanding
of the subject at hand from the side of experts - in our case, most likely representatives from the
municipality of Aljezur - and comprehensive impressions of multiple individuals - here, residents
of Aljezur, living in close proximity to the estuary (for the choice of relevant stakeholders, please
refer to the Stakeholder Analysis section). We plan to run 2-3 expert interviews, and around
30 surveys. Upon arrival, should the circumstances allow, we could expand this framework to
encapsulate more views. We will try to collect most of the data in the first week so that we
have enough time to process the responses and draw accurate conclusions. In this section, we
move away from the previous research, as the focus then was the closure of the estuary. We
aim to obtain a holistic understanding of the matter. As such, the drafts of the interviews and
survey questions (listed in the Appendix) reflect a thorough analysis of both ecological and
social factors impacting the Amoreira Estuary.

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 Area Study Portugal

PART 5

Deliverables and Impact

5.1 Deliverables

Through this research, we aim to have an updated dataset with complete measurements of all
the abiotic factors and distribution of species in the estuary. The results of this dataset will be
represented in an ArcGIS story map. The data will be visually represented in tables, figures and
an ArcGIS map that shows the different measurement sites. For the abiotic factors, we want to
make a map that shows spatial variations of concentrations of the different factors. Since we
will be following the methods from the group of students that went last year to Portugal, we
can make an analysis based on the differences that might be found.

Due to time constraints and lack of experience, we will not be looking at the flora and fauna
present in the estuary. For the social deliverables, we plan to make a stakeholder analysis based
on interviews and surveys taken with the different stakeholders. Based on these results we want
to make figures that clearly show people’s opinions on the future of the estuary and highlight
different reasons for which certain answers were given. Again since this has also been done in
the years before we want to compare our results with those of previous years to see if there is a
change in perception of the estuary. The results we acquire during this research can then also
be used again in the future to monitor the estuary and people’s perception of it.

Figure 4: MoSCoW Analysis

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Research Proposal

5.2 Impact

The research that we will be doing is in a very dynamic and rapidly changing ecosystem for
which it is important to closely monitor its well-being. Local people are dependent on it since
unfavourable changes to it could result in less tourism and a decrease in biodiversity. By
measuring the estuary we can locate the environmental changes that might occur. Through
interviewing different stakeholders we also create a better understanding of all views that might
regard the estuary. By continuing our research from previous years we also make it possible to
better form decision-making to see if the problem continues to grow or seems stable for now.
With our storymap we hope to be able to provide a good understanding of the estuary and its
current state and hope to be able to help scientists, the municipality and local people in the
future. At last with the social component of our research we hope to get a good understanding
of people’s perception of the estuary which could prove helpful for decision making, but also to
be able to track people’s perception throughout time.

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 Area Study Portugal

PART 6

Planning

The nature of the research project we aim to perform means that we have to elaborate a clear,
cohesive action plan. The time constraint makes it difficult to manage all the sub-tasks, but
we came up with a provisional course of action. We acknowledge that field work is rather
unpredictable and thus we keep this plan adjustable, depending on the conditions we come
across upon our arrival. While several activities can be planned well in advance, some are
entirely dependent on the situation. As a result, for instance we might have to change dates for
water sampling due to weather events. Those situations are unavoidable, but we are confident
that we will be able to work out alternative plans on the spot.

Figure 5: Planning Summary

Figure 6: Provisional Schedule

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Research Proposal

Appendix: Interview Questions

.1 Resident Perception Survey Questions

• Q1: What is your age group?

a. Under 18
b. 18-30
c. 31-45
d. 46-60
e. 60+

• Q2: Where do you reside?

a. Aljezur or nearby
b. Elsewhere in Portugal
c. Outside of Portugal

• Q3: How often do you visit the Amoreira Estuary?

a. Often
b. Occasionally
c. Rarely
d. Never

• Q4: What do you primarily associate the Amoreira Estuary with? (Select all
that apply)

a. Wildlife and biodiversity

b. Recreational activities
c. Aesthetic beauty
d. Environmental concerns

• Q5: In your opinion, how clean is the estuary?

a. Very clean
b. Moderately clean
c. Somewhat polluted
d. Very polluted

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 Area Study Portugal

• Q6: What are your main concerns for the Amoreira Estuary? (Select all that
apply)

a. Pollution
b. Overcrowding due to tourism
c. Habitat destruction and biodiversity loss
d. Climate change impact
e. Lack of management by the municipality
f. No concerns

• Q7: What activities do you usually engage in at the estuary? (Select all that
apply)

a. Walking or hiking
b. Swimming
c. Kayaking
d. Surfing
e. Wildlife observation
f. Fishing
g. Relaxing (like sunbathing)

• Q8: Would you recommend the Amoreira Estuary as a place to visit?

a. Definitely
b. Maybe
c. Not really

• Q9: How important is the estuary for you?

a. Very important
b. Somewhat important
c. Neutral
d. Not important

• Q10: Are you aware of the environmental challenges that the Amoreira Estuary
faces?

a. Very aware
b. Somewhat aware
c. Slightly aware
d. Not aware

• Q11: Do you think local communities and visitors are responsible for protecting
and preserving the estuary?

a. Definitely yes
b. Somewhat

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Research Proposal

c. Not really
d. No

• Q12: Do you think the municipality is responsible for protecting and preserving
the estuary?

a. Definitely yes
b. Somewhat
c. Not really
d. No

• Q13: Is the municipality doing enough to protect and preserve the estuary?

a. Definitely yes
b. Somewhat
c. Not really
d. No

• Q14: What measures do you think are the most needed to ensure better
conditions in the estuary? (Select all that apply)

a. Improve waste management and clean-ups

b. Limit tourism and visitor numbers
c. Promote environmental education and awareness
d. Limit fishing
e. Implement laws for the conservation of biodiversity
f. Others

.2 Municipality Interview Topic List

Objectives
1. Is the municipality concerned with the state of the estuary?

2. What are the main priorities of the municipality for the Amoreira Estuary in the short
term?

3. What are the main priorities of the municipality for the Amoreira Estuary in the long
term?

4. Are there any ongoing or planned projects for the protection and restoration of the estuary?

5. Does the municipality collaborate with regional or national institutions to manage the
estuary?

6. Is the municipality already applying existing policies to preserve the estuary?

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 Area Study Portugal

Environmental Concerns
1. Does the municipality identify environmental concerns for the estuary?

2. What are the main environmental challenges identified by the municipality?

3. Does the municipality monitor the estuary?

4. What actions is the municipality taking to limit the impact of recreational and tourism
activities on the estuary?

5. Are there initiatives to help mitigate or adapt to challenges imposed by climate change in
the estuary?

Engagement with Local Communities and Civil Society

1. Does the municipality collaborate with NGOs and/or environmental organizations for the
conservation of the estuary?

2. Does the municipality hold public consultations or forums with local communities to
guarantee their participation and feedback in estuary management?

3. Is the municipality concerned with promoting environmental education in local communi-

ties?

4. Does the municipality believe that the local population is concerned with the conservation
of the estuary?

Finance
1. What funds or resources have been allocated for the Amoreira Estuary management and
conservation?

2. Is the municipality struggling with securing the resources and expertise required to manage
the estuary?

3. Is the municipality planning to seek additional funding from national or EU programes?

Future
1. Does the municipality have a long-term management strategy plan for the future of the
estuary?

2. What part does the municipality think stakeholders will play in the future of the estuary?

3. How does the municipality see the Amoreira Estuary in 10-15 years?

4. Will the municipality be able to effectively balance economic activities and environmental
protection in the estuary?

5. Are there plans to promote sustainable ecotourism in the area?

6. How can the municipality help guarantee the preservation of the estuary for future
generations?

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Research Proposal

.3 Local Residents Interview Topic List

Closeness (Physical and Emotional)
1. How long have you been living here?

2. How do you feel about the estuary?

3. What does it mean to you personally?

4. What do you associate the estuary with?

5. Do you have specific memories or experiences tied to the estuary that are meaningful to
you?

Relevance
1. How often do you visit the estuary?

2. What brings you to this place?

3. How important is the estuary for the local economy and community in your opinion?

4. Do you consider it an important space for leisure and well-being?

5. What activities do you enjoy doing in the estuary?

6. Do you think the estuary contributes to the identity and culture of this area?

7. How would you feel if the Amoreira estuary were significantly altered and/or damaged?

Awareness
1. What do you know about the state of the estuary?

2. Are you concerned by the state of the estuary?

3. Are you aware of the environmental challenges it faces?

4. Are you concerned about any of the estuary threats?

5. Have you noticed any changes in the estuary over time?

6. Do you think enough is being done to protect and preserve the estuary?

Future
1. How important is it to you that the estuary is preserved for future generations?

2. What role do residents have in the future of the estuary?

3. What role does the municipality have in the future of the estuary?

4. What role do visitors have in the future of the estuary?

5. Would you support local initiatives to raise awareness and conserve the estuary? (clean-ups,
educational programes, etc.)

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 Area Study Portugal

6. In your opinion, would it be possible to balance tourism and environmental protection?

7. What would you like the estuary to look like in 10-15 years?

8. What are your top priorities for the future of the estuary?

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Research Proposal

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