Salt flats are to be found in many different parts of the world, often associated with mangrove swamps. This is the case of the Brazilian shoreline from Pará, in the north, to Santa Catarina, in the south, although they are not continuous. They may be considered as nutrient reservoirs and as retraction zones for mangrove in the case of sea level rise and as such must be considered of great importance in the management of the coastal zone. In the present study, monitoring of the salinity of the interstitial waters was carried out over a period of two years. A micro-topographical survey, granulometric analysis, surveys of the structural characteristics of the associated mangrove areas and of the climate data of the region were included in the study with the objective to define the processes of formation and maintenance of the Sepetiba Bay salt flats. Results indicate that vegetation structure varies with the gradient of tidal inundation, decreasing landward. Interstitial water salinity measurements can be placed in three distinct groups: the mangrove grove itself, salt flat with Salicornia gaudichaudiana and salt flat. The micro-topography of the area varies considerably with small channels which favour colonization by Avicennia schaueriana and micro-mounts where the salt concentration is higher. The climate presents inter-annual variations, but always exhibiting dry seasons. The extension of salt flats is due to the frequency of meteorological tides associates with rectification and drainage of small rivers and channels which are to be found throughout the region.

The importance of stakeholder engagement in ocean observation and in particular the realization of economic and societal benefits is discussed, introducing a number of overarching principles such as the convergence on common goals, effective communication, co-production of information and knowledge and the need for innovation. A series of case studies examine the role of coordinating frameworks such as the United States' Interagency Ocean Observing System (IOOS R), and the European Ocean Observing System (EOOS), public-private partnerships such as Project Azul and the Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP) and finally the role of the "third" or voluntary sector. The paper explores the value that stakeholder engagement can bring as well as making recommendations for the future.

Coastal ocean observing and modeling systems (coastal observatories), connected with regional and global ocean systems, improve the quality of information and forecasts for effective management of safe and sustainable maritime activities. The public availability of systematic and long-term information of the ocean is an engine for the Blue Economy, boosting economic growth, employment, and innovation. An overview of some Brazilian initiatives is presented in this paper, involving universities, private companies, federal and state agencies, covering institutions from south to north of Brazil. Although these initiatives focus mainly on ocean physics, integrated efforts can extend the scope to include biogeochemistry and marine biodiversity, helping to address interdisciplinary problems. Existing initiatives can be connected, and new ones fostered, to fill in the gaps of temporal and spatial coverage of ocean monitoring in the vast oceanic area under Brazilian jurisdiction (nationally referred to as the Blue Amazon, in reference to the similar richness of the Amazon Forest). The alignment among national and regional initiatives, as well as with international programs, can be promoted if coordinated by a national-level organization, maximizing the return of public investment and socioeconomic benefits. In light of international examples, possible future institutional arrangements are discussed, leveraging from existing national public policies and international cooperation that Brazil is taking part. The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development is a timely opportunity to encourage an institutional arrangement to support and articulate an integrated network of coastal observatories in Brazil.

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