The current application of ecological connectivity in the design of marine protected areas

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 17, P. e00569 - e00569

Published: Jan. 1, 2019

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are an area-based conservation strategy commonly used to safeguard marine biodiversity and ecosystem services. Ecological connectivity governs the exchange of individuals among spatially fragmented habitats is often highlighted as important element in design MPAs. However, degree which measured or modelled representations applied management decisions worldwide remains unclear. We reviewed scientific literature explore application MPAs located six countries regions with advanced spatial planning. Only 11% 746 we examined considered ecological criterion, increasingly so since 2007. Landscape measures such habitat linkages were most frequently by managers genetic modelling approaches scientists. Of that connectivity, 71% for state reserves California commonwealth Australia. This pattern indicates substantial geographic bias. propose incorporation planning needs become more accessible practitioners provide four recommendations together will allow scientists bridge this gap: 1. determine whether prioritize 2. identify role MPA supporting 3. appropriate temporal scale 4. improve regional knowledge patterns. also a framework facilitate communication metrics patterns between apply best available information adaptive networks

Language: Английский

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The central importance of ecological spatial connectivity to effective coastal marine protected areas and to meeting the challenges of climate change in the marine environment

Aquatic Conservation Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 27(S1), P. 6 - 29

Published: Sept. 1, 2017

Abstract The several forms of ecological spatial connectivity – population, genetic, community, ecosystem are among the most important processes in determining distribution, persistence and productivity coastal marine populations ecosystems. Ecological protected areas (MPAs) focus on restoring or maintaining populations, communities, All MPAs no matter their specific objectives depend for success incorporating into design, use (i.e. application), management. Though important, a synthesis implications use, management MPAs, especially face changing global climate, does not exist. We synthesize this information distill it practical principles networks MPAs. High population distant ecosystems underscores critical value MPA between them. importance protecting multiple connected within an MPA, maximizing across managing outside so as to minimize influxes detrimental organisms materials Connectivity‐informed designed managed foster local species, can best address changes induced by climate change. Also, protections afforded from direct, human impacts may ameliorate change inside and, indirectly,

Language: Английский

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Integrating multiple species connectivity and habitat quality into conservation planning for coral reefs

Ecography, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 39(7), P. 649 - 664

Published: Aug. 8, 2015

Incorporating connectivity into the design of marine protected areas (MPAs) has met with conceptual, theoretical, and practical challenges, which include: 1) need to consider for multiple species different dispersal abilities, 2) role played by variable habitat quality in determining spatial patterns connectivity. We propose an innovative approach, combining biophysical modeling a routinely‐used tool marine‐reserve (Marxan), address both challenges using ecologically‐informed parameters. showed how functional demographic four candidate reef‐associated varying abilities suite metrics weighted can be used set conservation objectives inform MPA placement. Overall, strength barriers varied across modeled and, also species, we found lack concordance reefs that were high‐quality sources, self‐persistent, stepping‐stones. Including spatially‐heterogeneous made considerable difference patterns, significantly reducing potential reproductive output from many reefs. caution is needed data multi‐species matrices, do not perform reliably as surrogates all individual species. then restricting available inequitable impact on greatest betweenness centrality long‐distance dispersers. Brazilian coral case study but our approach applicable terrestrial planning, offers holistic way functionally‐connected reserves tackle complex issues relevant planning persistence.

Language: Английский

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Reproductive resilience: a paradigm shift in understanding spawner‐recruit systems in exploited marine fish

Fish and Fisheries, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 18(2), P. 285 - 312

Published: Sept. 17, 2016

Abstract A close relationship between adult abundance and stock productivity may not exist for many marine fish stocks, resulting in concern that the management goal of maximum sustainable yield is either inefficient or risky. Although reproductive success tightly coupled with fecundity terrestrial animals, exploited where when spawn consequent dispersal dynamics have a greater impact. Here, we propose an eco‐evolutionary perspective, resilience, to understand connectivity fish. Reproductive resilience capacity population maintain needed result long‐term stability despite disturbances. stock's driven by underlying traits its spawner‐recruit system, selected over evolutionary timescales, ecological context within which it operating. Spawner‐recruit systems are species specific, both density‐dependent fitness feedback loops made up fixed, behavioural ecologically variable traits. They operate multiple temporal, spatial biological scales, trait diversity affecting at individual (i.e. portfolio) scales. Models fall three categories: (i) two‐dimensional models spawner recruit); (ii) process‐based biophysical integrate physical environmental processes into understanding recruitment; (iii) complex spatially explicit integrated life cycle models. We review these their assumptions about vs. our emerging mechanistic understanding. conclude practical guidelines integrating assessments productivity.

Language: Английский

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Operationalizing ecological connectivity in spatial conservation planning with Marxan Connect

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 11(4), P. 570 - 579

Published: Feb. 11, 2020

Abstract Globally, protected areas are being established to protect biodiversity and promote ecosystem resilience. The typical spatial conservation planning process leading the creation of these focuses on representation replication ecological features, often using decision support tools such as Marxan. Yet, despite important role connectivity has in metapopulation persistence resilience, Marxan currently requires manual input or specialized scripts explicitly consider connectivity. ‘Marxan Connect’ is a new open source, access Graphical User Interface (GUI) tool designed assist planners with appropriate use data area network planning. Connect can facilitate estimates demographic (e.g. derived from animal tracking data, dispersal models, genetic tools) structural landscape isolation by resistance). This accomplished calculating metapopulation‐relevant metrics eigenvector centrality) treating those features including dependency amongst sites prioritization process. allows wide group users incorporate directional into solutions provided Connect, combined ecologically relevant post‐hoc testing, more likely persistent resilient metapopulations fish stocks) provide better protection for biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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Biologically representative and well‐connected marine reserves enhance biodiversity persistence in conservation planning

Conservation Letters, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 11(4)

Published: Jan. 17, 2018

Abstract Current methods in conservation planning for promoting the persistence of biodiversity typically focus on either representing species geographic distributions or maintaining connectivity between reserves, but rarely both, and take a focal species, rather than multispecies, approach. Here, we link prioritization with population models to explore impact integrating both representation into persistence. Using data 288 Mediterranean fish varying requirements, show that: (1) considering objectives provides best strategy enhanced (2) were fundamental enhancing small‐ranged which are most need conservation, while objective benefited only wide‐ranging species. Our approach more comprehensive appraisal applications approaches focusing connectivity, will hopefully contribute build effective reserve networks biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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No Reef Is an Island: Integrating Coral Reef Connectivity Data into the Design of Regional-Scale Marine Protected Area Networks

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 10(12), P. e0144199 - e0144199

Published: Dec. 7, 2015

We integrated coral reef connectivity data for the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico into a conservation decision-making framework designing regional scale marine protected area (MPA) network that provides insight ecological political contexts. used an ocean circulation model to simulate eight spawning events from 2008–2011, applying maximum 30-day pelagic larval duration 20% mortality rate. Coral dispersal patterns were analyzed between reefs across jurisdictional zones identify spatial relationships sources destinations within countries territories region. applied our results in Marxan, planning software tool, MPA design meets goals, minimizes underlying threats, maintains connectivity. Our suggest approximately 77% identified as having high value are not included existing network. This research is unique because we quantify report by ecoregions Exclusive Economic Zones (EZZ) use this information gaps current Caribbean-wide integrating asymmetric Marxan includes important connections. The identification metrics guides selection priority areas supports resilience at whole system level future.

Language: Английский

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Incorporating larval dispersal intoMPAdesign for both conservation and fisheries

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 27(3), P. 925 - 941

Published: Dec. 31, 2016

Larval dispersal by ocean currents is a critical component of systematic marine protected area (MPA) design. However, there lack quantitative methods to incorporate larval in support increasingly diverse management objectives, including local population persistence under multiple types threats (primarily focused on retention within and between locations) benefits unprotected populations fisheries export from locations fishing grounds). Here, we present flexible MPA design approach that can reconcile such potentially conflicting objectives balancing various associated treatments information. We demonstrate our based alternative patterns, combinations populations, two different optimization strategies (site vs. network-based). Our outcomes highlight consistently high effectiveness selecting priority are self-replenishing, inter-connected, and/or important sources. find the opportunity balance these three attributes flexibly help not only prevent meta-population collapse, but also ensure effective recovery, with average increases number recruits at grounds least times higher than achieved standard habitat-based or ad-hoc designs. Future applications should therefore be encouraged, specifically where tools other MPAs feasible.

Language: Английский

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Dynamic marine spatial planning for conservation and fisheries benefits

Fish and Fisheries, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 25(4), P. 630 - 646

Published: April 13, 2024

Abstract The increasing global demand for marine resources raises concerns about sustainable resource management and biodiversity conservation. Spatial closures, such as protected areas, can be valuable tools maintaining restoring exploited populations. When these spatial closures adopt a dynamic nature being adapted to the changing environment, they effectively account factors shifting species distributions, which enhances their potential achieve ecological socio‐economic objectives. Here, we decision‐support tool (the software Marxan), typically used selecting static permanent produce recommendations that integrate temporal fisheries. Our aim was compare outputs of network no‐take reserves with four other scenarios, including seasonal variations in populations species. All scenarios prioritized sites conservation one most European fishing stocks, Norway lobster ( Nephrops norvegicus ). Additionally, considered 12 commercially captured by fishery. assessed included retained biomass, area extent, closure type (permanent seasonal) opportunity costs within each scenario. We observed all required fewer areas permanently closed than This resulted lower cost fisheries but also higher capacity Therefore, complementing could enhance management. novel planning method presented here applicable species, ecosystems contexts.

Language: Английский

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Research advances and gaps in marine planning: towards a global database in systematic conservation planning

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 227, P. 369 - 382

Published: Sept. 11, 2018

Language: Английский

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