The MPA Guide: A framework to achieve global goals for the ocean

Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 373(6560)

Published: Sept. 9, 2021

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are conservation tools intended to protect biodiversity, promote healthy and resilient marine ecosystems, provide societal benefits. Despite codification of MPAs in international agreements, MPA effectiveness is currently undermined by confusion about the many types consequent wildly differing outcomes. We present a clarifying science-driven framework—The Guide—to aid design evaluation. The guide categorizes stage establishment level protection, specifies resulting direct indirect outcomes for biodiversity human well-being, describes key conditions necessary positive Use this Guide scientists, managers, policy-makers, communities can improve effective design, implementation, assessment, tracking existing future achieve goals using scientifically grounded practices.

Language: Английский

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Ocean conservation boosts climate change mitigation and adaptation

One Earth, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 5(10), P. 1126 - 1138

Published: Oct. 1, 2022

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are increasingly being promoted as an ocean-based climate solution. However, such claims remain controversial because of the diffuse and poorly synthesized literature on benefits MPAs. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a systematic review 22,403 publications spanning 241 MPAs analyzed these across 16 ecological social pathways through which could contribute to change mitigation adaptation. Our meta-analysis demonstrates that marine conservation can significantly enhance carbon sequestration, coastal protection, biodiversity, reproductive capacity organisms well fishers' catch income. Most only achieved in fully or highly increase with MPA age. Although alone cannot offset all impacts, they useful tool for adaptation social-ecological systems.

Language: Английский

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Evidence that spillover from Marine Protected Areas benefits the spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus) fishery in southern California

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: Jan. 29, 2021

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are designed to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services. Some MPAs also established benefit fisheries through increased egg larval production, or the spillover of mobile juveniles adults. Whether influences fishery landings depend on population status movement patterns target species both inside outside MPAs, as well behavior fleet. We tested whether an increase in lobster two newly influenced local catch, fishing effort, catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) within sustainable California spiny fishery. found greater build-up lobsters relative unprotected areas, increases effort total but not CPUE, zones containing vs. those without MPAs. Our results show that a 35% reduction area resulting from MPA designation was compensated for by 225% catch after 6-years, thus indicating at scale trade-off ground no-fishing benefitted

Language: Английский

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Making protected areas effective for biodiversity, climate and food

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 29(14), P. 3883 - 3894

Published: March 6, 2023

The spatial extent of marine and terrestrial protected areas (PAs) was among the most intensely debated issues prior to decision about post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Convention on Biological Diversity. Positive impacts PAs habitats, species diversity abundance are well documented. Yet, biodiversity loss continues unabated despite efforts protect 17% land 10% oceans by 2020. This casts doubt whether extending 30%, agreed target in Kunming-Montreal GBF, will indeed achieve meaningful benefits. Critically, focus area coverage obscures importance PA effectiveness overlooks concerns impact other sustainability objectives. We propose a simple means assessing visualising complex relationships between their effects conservation, nature-based climate mitigation food production. Our analysis illustrates how achieving 30% global could be beneficial for climate. It also highlights important caveats: (i) lofty objectives alone little benefit without concomitant improvements effectiveness, (ii) trade-offs with production particularly high levels likely (iii) differences systems need recognized when setting implementing targets. CBD's call significant increase accompanied clear goals reduce revert dangerous anthropogenic socio-ecological biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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Priority areas to protect mangroves and maximise ecosystem services

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Sept. 21, 2023

Abstract Anthropogenic activities threaten global biodiversity and ecosystem services. Yet, area-based conservation efforts typically target protection whilst minimising conflict with economic activities, failing to consider Here we identify priority areas that maximise both the of mangrove their We reveal despite 13.5% distribution being currently strictly protected, all species are not adequately represented many provide disproportionally large services missed. Optimising placement future protect 30% mangroves potentially safeguards an additional 16.3 billion USD coastal property value, 6.1 million people, 1173.1 Tg C, 50.7 fisher days yr −1 . Our findings suggest there is a pressing need for including in protected area design strategic prioritisation coordination could substantial benefits human wellbeing.

Language: Английский

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A marine protected area network does not confer community structure resilience to a marine heatwave across coastal ecosystems

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 29(19), P. 5634 - 5651

Published: July 13, 2023

Abstract Marine protected areas (MPAs) have gained attention as a conservation tool for enhancing ecosystem resilience to climate change. However, empirical evidence explicitly linking MPAs enhanced ecological is limited and mixed. To better understand whether can buffer impacts, we tested the resistance recovery of marine communities 2014–2016 Northeast Pacific heatwave in largest scientifically designed MPA network world off coast California, United States. The consists 124 (48 no‐take state reserves, 76 partial‐take or special regulation areas) implemented at different times, with full implementation completed 2012. We compared fish, benthic invertebrate, macroalgal community structure inside outside 13 across rocky intertidal, kelp forest, shallow reef, deep reef nearshore habitats California's Central Coast region from 2007 2020. also explored features, including age, size, depth, proportion rock, historic fishing pressure, habitat diversity richness, connectivity, fish biomass response ratios (proxy performance), conferred forest intertidal spanning 28 network. Ecological dramatically shifted due all four habitats, did not facilitate habitat‐wide recovery. Only significantly resist impacts. Community shifts were associated pronounced decline relative cold water species an increase warm species. features explain heatwave. Collectively, our findings suggest that ability mitigate impacts heatwaves on structure. Given mechanisms perturbations are complex, there clear need expand assessments ecosystem‐wide consequences resulting acute climate‐driven perturbations, potential role regulatory protection mitigating changes.

Language: Английский

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Collaborative fisheries research reveals reserve size and age determine efficacy across a network of marine protected areas

Conservation Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 17(2)

Published: Jan. 3, 2024

Abstract A variety of criteria may influence the efficacy networks marine protected areas (MPA) designed to enhance biodiversity conservation and provide fisheries benefits. Meta‐analyses have evaluated MPA attributes on abundance, biomass, size structure harvested species, reporting that size, age, depth, connectivity strength responses. However, few empirical evaluation studies used consistent sampling methodology across multiple MPAs years. Our collaborative research program systematically sampled 12 no‐take or highly protective limited‐take paired fished reference a network spanning 1100 km coastline evaluate factors driving large geographic region. We found increased age consistently contributed fish catch, positive species responses inside MPAs, while accounting for such as latitude, primary productivity, distance nearest MPA. study provides model framework collaboratively engage diverse stakeholders in high‐quality data assess success strategies.

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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Environmental enrichment increases aquatic animal welfare: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Reviews in Aquaculture, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 14(3), P. 1120 - 1135

Published: Dec. 7, 2021

Abstract With the rapid development of aquaculture and gradual decrease in fishery resources, aquatic animal welfare (AAW) has received increasing attention from protection organisations, government departments, biologists, fish culturists consumers. Although environmental enrichment (EE) can potentially benefit AAW, relevant results are sharply mixed, drivers for these discrepancies largely unclear. In this study, we conducted a series meta‐analyses to overcome knowledge gap. We firstly compiled full data set, consisting 1171 effect sizes 147 studies across 82 species then performed multilevel mixed‐effects model evaluate overall size conduct subsequent meta‐regression analyses. Overall, our showed that animals physically enriched environment had significantly improved AAW compared with their counterparts barren environments. For moderators, specific traits, taxa, stages, types colours strong positive EE effects on AAW. Subsequently, constructed set reran meta‐analysis, yielding substantially similar those obtained using set. Finally, multi‐model inference identify importance ranking potential moderators. Results type, taxon category best moderators direction magnitude These provide insights into possible important implications aquaculture, fisheries, conservation, research aquarium, providing evidence‐based guidance future theories practices.

Language: Английский

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Increased connectivity and depth improve the effectiveness of marine reserves

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 27(15), P. 3432 - 3447

Published: May 20, 2021

Abstract Marine reserves are a key tool for the conservation of marine biodiversity, yet only ~2.5% world's oceans protected. The integration into connected networks representing all habitats has been encouraged by international agreements, benefits this design not tested empirically. Australia one largest systems reserves, providing rare opportunity to assess how connectivity influences success. An Australia‐wide dataset was collected using baited remote underwater video deployed across depth range from 0 100 m effectiveness protecting teleosts subject commercial and recreational fishing. A meta‐analytical comparison 73 fished species within 91 found that, on average, had 28% greater abundance 53% biomass compared adjacent areas open However, protection were observed (heterogeneity), so full subsets generalized additive modelling used consider factors that influence reserve effectiveness, including distance‐based ecological metrics among reserves. Our results suggest increased improve aforementioned these should be considered optimize such over time. We provide important guidance when implementing purpose increasing size species, given expected increase in coverage globally. show highly protected (no‐take) designed connectivity, can an effective strategy temperate tropical waters overarching biodiversity framework.

Language: Английский

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