Research article Implications of adopting a biodiversity-based vulnerability index versus a shoreline environmental sensitivity index on management and policy planning along coastal areas G. Harik a , I. Alameddine a , R. Maroun a , G. Rachid a , D. Bruschi b , D. Astiaso Garcia b , M. El-Fadel a, * a Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, American University of Beirut, Lebanon b Department of Astronautics, Electrical & Energetics Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy article info Article history: Received 20 May 2016 Received in revised form 14 November 2016 Accepted 17 November 2016 Keywords: Coastal zone management Mediterranean coastlines Stress and vulnerability indices Anthropogenic pollution abstract In this study, a multi-criteria index was developed to assess anthropogenic stressors along the Medi- terranean coastline. The index aimed at geo-locating pollution hotspots for informed decision making related to coastal zone management. The index was integrated in a Geographical Information System based geodatabase implemented at several pilot areas along the Northern (Italy and France), Eastern (Lebanon), and Southern (Tunisia) Mediterranean coastlines. The generated stressor maps were coupled with a biodiversity richness index and an environmental sensitivity index to produce vulnerability maps that can form the basis for prioritizing management and mitigation interventions towards the identifi- cation of pollution hotspots and the promotion of sustainable coastal zone management. The results identified significant differences between the two assessment methods, which can bias prioritization in decision making and policy planning depending on stakeholders' interests. The discrepancies emphasize the need for transparency and understanding of the underlying foundations behind vulnerability indices and mapping development. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction Coastal zones are sensitive ecosystems, highly vulnerable to both natural and anthropogenic hazards. While sea level rise, tsu- namis and floods are well recognized as the main natural hazards for coastal areas, anthropogenic coastal developments cause pollution, overexploitation, and fragmentation (Angelidis and Kamizoulis, 2005; Finkl and Makowski, 2013). Various methods, tools, and approaches have been developed in an effort to assess, manage, and evaluate coastal vulnerability, hazards, and risks (Appelquist and Balstrøm, 2015; EU, 2003; Komendantova et al., 2014). To date, the Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) remains the most commonly used index/indicator for areas with poor data (Pendleton et al., 2005; Ramieri et al., 2011; Thieler and Hammar- Klose, 2000a, b). Recent work has focused on developing coastal hazard assessment tools that go beyond the largely physical-based CVI. The integration of socioeconomic factors alongside physical and environmental features has been shown to present a more holistic characterization of coastal vulnerabilities (Boruff et al., 2005; Ceia et al., 2010; Thatcher et al., 2013; Wamsley et al., 2015). Yet, the adoption of such an approach is still limited (Boruff et al., 2005), largely due to data constraints. Moreover, recent vulnerability characterization efforts have made use of data derived from Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and dynamic computer models (Butt and Li, 2015; Hassaan, 2013; Musaoglu et al., 2015; Pendleton et al., 2005; Szlafsztein and Sterr, 2007; Taubenb€ ock et al., 2008; Thumerer et al., 2000); however the use of such models has also been limited by the lack of spatial data and/or the need for specialized expertise (Mcleod et al., 2010; Ramieri et al., 2011). While hazard assessment- in the sense of identifying and eval- uating the potential degree of harm for each type of hazard (EU, 2003)- is not new, the main focus has often been constrained to natural hazards or to specific types of anthropogenic activities i.e. oil spills or industrial pollution (Bakkensen et al., 2016; Castanedo et al., 2009). Cost Action 620 under the European Water Framework Directive can be singled out for its comprehensive methodology * Corresponding author. E-mail address: mfadel@aub.edu.lb (M. El-Fadel). Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Environmental Management journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jenvman http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.11.038 0301-4797/© 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Journal of Environmental Management 187 (2017) 187e200