*3.5. Responses in the DESCR Framework*

As the dynamic equilibrium of the lagoon system depends on changes in the physicochemical parameters, the artificial opening of the inlet alters the natural dynamics. Since the opening of the inlet is beneficial to the fishermen's activities, the magnitude of the

long-term ecological consequences of this practice should be quantified, taking into consideration large-scale processes such as SLR, in order to devise an adequate management plan.

Human activity has played an important role in the destabilization of the beach and dunes by modifying the hydrodynamics, the sediment availability and the sediment transport patterns. It is therefore essential to create conditions for a sand reservoir, and alternatives to preserve the vegetation of this ecosystem [48]. Trampling and other activities, such as the use of scooters, put the dune vegetation and their natural dynamics at risk. However, tourism benefits many people in the area. Therefore, ecotourism plans could be focused on the dunes, where the cultural ecosystem services can be taken advantage of while seeking the sustainability of the ecosystem. To restore the coastal dunes, it is necessary to restore the natural dynamics and recover habitats for dune-building species (e.g., previously, the mobile dunes were mostly covered by the grass *Schizachyrium scoparium*). Native species such as *Croton punctatus, Palafoxia lindenii* and *Chamaecrista chamaecristoides* are abundant on mobile dunes, and thus actions are needed to re-establish their environment so that they can increase their plant cover. Fencing the dunes, in order to restrict access to them, to reduce air flow and to increase sand deposition, is also an option to restore the equilibrium [50].

Regarding the recent urban development, this may have intense repercussions on the environment, as well as on the socio-economic development of the population of the area. Despite the fact that Mexico has legal instruments to conserve and protect natural ecosystems (General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection, General Law of Wildlife, General Law of Sustainable Forest Development, Fisheries Law), there is a lack of commitment to promoting sustainable development objectives by the state. The conflict is part of the conservation versus extraction debate. The "Comprehensive Management Plan for the La Mancha-El Llano Basin" (2006) was conceived as an instrument that links communities, academia and government authorities and allows discussion of the current environmental situation and conflicts, evaluating the participation of the actors in the area [51]. This document focuses on: (i) the biological and cultural conservation and restoration of the ecosystems and landscapes of the basin, (ii) community participation and (iii) comprehensive planning, taking into account the management of the area [52]. Despite the implementation of this plan, the resistance to change of the population is both noticeable and very intense, creating conflicts with government entities and within the population in general, based on economic interests [52]. This is currently occurring with the development of the "Diada" project in Veracruz which, according to Gómez Ramirez [53], will probably favor only wealthy people, and the local, native population will see hardly any economic benefits.

It is necessary to carry out an environmental impact assessment of the anthropogenic expansion in the area, since this can cause fragmentation of ecosystems and put some species at risk, such as migratory birds [53]. Mendoza et al. [54] analyzed the changes in land use and the valuation of ecosystem services on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, noting the importance of maintaining a healthy balance in the area, related to the value and provision that this system provides to the community. It may be useful to carry out an assessment of ecosystem services in the area and determine how the urbanization projects will alter them, eventually affecting society. Environmental regulations should look for alternatives that promote conservation. Science-based information is an important pillar for motivation towards preservation, since if ecological, economic and social values are ranked, governments and citizens will have clearer technical elements for better decision making.

Given that anthropic pressures generate great changes in ecosystems, it is necessary to analyze the components of the planning and management of the coastal zone arising from the social environment [55]. The Decalogue for the Integrated Management of Coastal Areas, proposed by Barragán [56], is a tool that links public policy processes, based on ten structural elements of the legal-administrative subsystem of a zone, allowing decision makers to assess and compare the spaces in relation to their objectives. The ten elements of this decalogue are as follows: policy (explicit government policies directed to the management of coastal areas), participation (institutional and social support for public policies), normative (specific laws for coastal management), institutions (part of the public administration concerned with coastal marine spaces or resources), managers (government and stakeholders), information (physical, social-economic and administrative knowledge of the area), resources (economic tools that help apply and develop a management model), education (initiatives or proposals that promote education towards sustainability), strategies (for coastal management), instruments (tools such as zoning, concessions and authorizations for the use of coastal resources). In La Mancha, this decalogue includes the following elements:


• Instruments: La Mancha-El Llano Community Management Plan [51].
