Evaluating Linked Social–Ecological Systems in Marine Protected Areas

Abstract

In view of current worldwide coral reef decline, and the shortcomings of traditional top-down management schemes of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), decision makers and scientists face the important challenge of developing new approaches to generate effective conservation strategies. This study evaluates MPAs as linked social-ecological systems (SES) to inform better management by calculating indices for ecological health, social adaptive capacity, and the impact intensity of overfishing, pollution, and tourism. A series of ecological and socioeconomic indicators are used to estimate these indices and determine relevant conservation strategies in two protected areas in the Colombian Caribbean. Results reveal a precarious situation of high impact intensity combined with low ecological health and adaptive capacity. This study provides further evidence supporting the need for reconciliation of SES and a framework by which decision makers can assess priorities to increase MPA effectiveness. We highlight the need for system reorganization and recommend bottom-up comanagement schemes as a priority strategy to strengthen adaptive capacity.

Holobiont assemblages of dominant coral species (Symbiodinium types and coral species) shape Caribbean reef community structure

“…Most species were sampled at various depths and different locations of the same area, a main difference with other sampled areas in the Caribbean. Other factors, such as the unique conditions of the Southwestern Caribbean reefs, e.g., high sediment loads coming from Cartagena Bay (Restrepo et al 2006, Velásquez et al 2011, López-Angarita et al 2013, could also be responsible for this divergent pattern. Finally, recent studies have shown that other microorganisms such as archaea and bacteria also play a key role in the ecological dynamics on coral communities (Ainsworth et al 2010, Kimes et al 2010, Littman et al 2010; however, we were not able to characterize this microbial community at the time.…”

Winners and Losers in Area-Based Management of a Small-Scale Fishery in the Colombian Pacific

“…Following conflict with industrial fishers, stakeholders in the Gulf of Tribugá established the "Regional District of Integrated Management Golfo de Tribugá-Cabo Corrientes" in 2014 (Díaz and Caro, 2016), introducing a spatial and temporal control over the activity of trawlers. The exclusion of the industrial shrimp trawler fleet from Tribugá may bring about a stock recovery, but the implications of a ban on gillnets for fisher communities with limited livelihood options and adaptive capacity are unknown, and likely to be variable (López Angarita et al, 2014;Tilley and López-Angarita, 2016). Furthermore, the ZEPA is also the result of financial investment to push fishing effort offshore and the development of fair trade style market chains between cooperatives and restaurants.…”

Mangroves and people: Lessons from a history of use and abuse in four Latin American countries

“…However, coastal deforestation persists in the region despite of the emplacement of protection mechanisms such as protected areas and national environmental policies (Box 1). Other noteworthy problems persist, such as the lack of resources for implementing new policies, weak institutional platforms, and the need for qualified personnel (López Angarita et al, 2014). In addition enforcement is often not effective (Alvarado et al, 2012;García, 2010;TNC, 2011).…”