Defining the extent of coastal zone for ecosystem-based management

Two different approaches in defining coastal zone extent exist. One of them sets fixed boundaries to the coastal zone, and, thus, is easily adopted by decision-makers. Another approach follows distribution of a set of contiguous ecosystems, and is more accordant with the ecosystem-based management of the coastal zone. Ecological approach requires comprehensive research of the system in focus. However, managers usually need more general tools which allow a first-order assessment of ecosystem structure and functioning. This work demonstrates how results of ecohydrodynamic model can be used by managers in the assessment of coastal ecosystem status and proposes mapping of characteristic coastal zone regions for management purposes.