**4. Conclusions**

The DESCR framework is a useful tool to evaluate processes in this study area, taking into account the causes that trigger variations in the state of the environment, the physical environment with its natural dynamism and the social actors who will be responsible for formulating solutions to mitigate the problems detected.

In La Mancha, the natural dynamics of the ecosystems have been altered, by natural and anthropic factors, such as the artificial opening of the inlet. It is necessary to determine the long-term consequences of these actions in order to provide adequate elements for decision making. On the other hand, the urban development plans put the environmental integrity of La Mancha at risk. A lack of commitment to protecting the ecological resources and environmental services provided by the ecosystems of La Mancha is evident.

Although further scientific-based quantitative analysis of the interactions and responses is needed, the conceptual implementation of the DESCR framework allows a diagnosis to be made, and the identification of key interactions that occur in the system. The results presented here should serve as a basis for implementing better coastal management strategies. Projects with evaluation tools such as the DESCR framework can help link the local community with the scientific community and the authorities and provide means for developing future sustainable projects in coastal areas. Innovative forms of linking stakeholders, such as environmental education towards sustainability, seeking a high level of scope for these projects and monitoring over time will yield tangible results for a better use of the environmental resources of the La Mancha lagoon region.

**Author Contributions:** Conceptualization, R.S.; methodology, R.S., V.C.; formal analysis, S.C.A.; investigation, S.C.A.; resources, R.S.; writing—original draft preparation, S.C.A., V.C.; writing review and editing, S.C.A., V.C., R.S., M.L.M., G.A.; supervision, V.C., R.S., M.L.M., G.A.; project administration, R.S.; funding acquisition, R.S., G.A. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

**Funding:** CONACYT-SENER-Sustentabilidad Energética project: FSE-2014-06-249795 Centro Mexicano de Innovación en Energía del Océano (CEMIE-Océano).

**Acknowledgments:** This work is a contribution to the PAI Research Group RNM-328 (Andalusia, Spain).

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.
