**4. Conclusion**

The process of identifying multiple services delivered by coastal ecosystems together with their spatial representation, even without any subsequent valuation, is crucial for informing environmental planning process and decision-making. Notwithstanding its limitations, the applied framework proved to be valuable in providing relevant information on ES provision and spatial distribution. We consider that the use of tools and approaches that are familiar to planners or similar to those habitually used is an opportunity for bridging these two spheres and promoting ES integration in planning and decision processes. This must be an adaptive process so it can assimilate new information as methods become standardized or technical capacity is developed.

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The authors argue that ES maps and characterization should be used as a foundation—along with other layers of information typically analyzed in the first stages of the spatial planning process—in the design of strategies for socioeconomic development and nature conservation, either at terrestrial or marine ecosystems. Moreover, the combined analysis of ES distribution (including multifunctional areas) and the most vulnerable areas to certain pressures has the potential to better inform planners in the design of local strategies, promoting a more transparent decision, and planning processes.
