An Integrated Framework Combining Degradation-Risk Assessment and SWOT Analysis for Coastal Geoheritage Management in Portuguese Protected Areas

Abstract

Coastal geoheritage is exposed to interacting natural and human pressures that require management approaches capable of linking degradation diagnosis with conservation responses. This study applies an integrated decision-support framework combining an established quantitative degradation-risk assessment with SWOT analysis to twelve coastal geosites located within three Portuguese protected areas. Degradation risk was assessed using eleven sub-criteria grouped into natural vulnerability, anthropogenic vulnerability and public use, while SWOT analysis characterized the broader protected-area management context. The two approaches were integrated without generating a composite index: risk class defined the relative urgency of management attention, the dominant standardized degradation component guided the primary response orientation, and relevant SWOT factors identified management conditions that may facilitate or constrain implementation. Nine geosites were classified as Medium risk and three as High risk, with total scores ranging from 8 to 20. Public use was the dominant component at seven geosites and natural vulnerability at five, whereas anthropogenic vulnerability was not dominant at any site. Sensitivity analysis indicated generally stable classifications, although two Medium-risk sites shifted to High under plausible one-point score variations. The framework translates complementary assessment results into site-specific management priorities and monitoring needs while maintaining the analytical distinction between geosite condition and protected-area management context.