Ocean & Coastal Management 23 (1994) 129-147 © 1994 Elsevier Science Limited Printed in Northern Ireland. All rights reserved 0964-5691/94]$07.00 ELSEVIER Conservation and Restoration of Endangered Coastal Areas: the Case of Small Estuaries in Northern Spain V. Rivas, E. Franc6s, J. R. Diaz de Ter~n, A. Cendrero D.C.I.T.T.Y.M., Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain J. Hidalgo, A. Serrano, M. Villalobos INGEMISA, Bilbao, Spain I. Benito & M. Herrera Dpto de Bot~inica,Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad del Pals Vasco, Bilbao, Spain (Received 16 February 1993; accepted 15 September 1993) ABSTRA CT The extent of degraded estuarine and wetland zones on the north coast of Spain is discussed. A method for the analysis and diagnosis of such zones is proposed. The method is based on the identification and mapping of homogeneous environmental units and the definition of indicators for the assessment of these units in terms of attributes relevant for restoration and management. The specification of a set of criteria enables the diagnosis maps thus obtained to be transformed into maps with proposals for management actions, for which specific designs are proposed. The cost of the actions proposed is also estimated. The results obtained from the analysis in three small estuaries are extrapolated to determine the possible extent of different rehabilitation activities and to estimate the cost of recovery plans for the whole coastal sector analysed. INTRODUCTION Littoral areas are among the most endangered zones in the world, as a consequence of the many and varied forms of human use and occupation to which they are subject. This has resulted in the deterioration of many sectors of the coastal fringe, particularly in densely populated areas of industrialized countries. ~ Estuaries and 129