Integrating connectivity and climate change into marine conservation planning

Magris, Rafael A.; Pressey, Robert L.; Weeks, Rebecca; Ban, Natalie C.

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2013.12.032

Cited by 167 publications

(187 citation statements)

References 111 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

187

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…We demonstrate that dispersal can be measured on spatial scales sufficient to inform the design of and test the performance of marine reserve networks. R obust descriptions of larval dispersal are fundamental to studies of fish population dynamics 1,2 , fisheries management 3,4 and the design of reserve networks tasked with conserving ocean biodiversity 5,6 . Yet descriptions of larval dispersal patterns in ocean environments remain scarce.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Larval fish dispersal in a coral-reef seascape

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Larval dispersal is a critical yet enigmatic process in the persistence and productivity of marine metapopulations. Empirical data on larval dispersal remain scarce, hindering the use of spatial management tools in efforts to sustain ocean biodiversity and fisheries. Here we document dispersal among subpopulations of clownfish (Amphiprion percula) and butterflyfish (Chaetodon vagabundus) from eight sites across a large seascape (10,000 km 2 ) in Papua New Guinea across 2 years. Dispersal of clownfish was consistent between years, with mean observed dispersal distances of 15 km and 10 km in 2009 and 2011, respectively. A Laplacian statistical distribution (the dispersal kernel) predicted a mean dispersal distance of 13-19 km, with 90% of settlement occurring within 31-43 km. Mean dispersal distances were considerably greater (43-64 km) for butterflyfish, with kernels declining only gradually from spawning locations. We demonstrate that dispersal can be measured on spatial scales sufficient to inform the design of and test the performance of marine reserve networks. R obust descriptions of larval dispersal are fundamental to studies of fish population dynamics 1,2 , fisheries management 3,4 and the design of reserve networks tasked with conserving ocean biodiversity 5,6 . Yet descriptions of larval dispersal patterns in ocean environments remain scarce. The combination of a pelagic larval phase that may last several days to many months and an ocean environment characterized by energetic diffusive and advective flows may allow passive larvae to disperse hundreds to thousands of kilometres from natal locations 7,8 . It has proved difficult, however, to verify directly how far fish larvae travel, because it is almost impossible to follow them as they disperse rapidly from spawning sites and are subject to high rates of natural mortality throughout the larval phase 9 . Our inability to describe the spatial extent of larval dispersal is problematic because our understanding of metapopulation dynamics relies on largely untested models that quantify where larvae arriving at a subpopulation originate from and where larvae spawned at each subpopulation eventually settle [10][11][12] . Moreover, to be of practical use, these data must be assembled on large enough scales for evaluating and optimizing spatial management strategies for fisheries or conservation 1,13 .Patches of reef habitat are frequently isolated from each other by deeper water that forms a barrier to adult movement, and so larval dispersal is likely to be a critical process in the persistence of many reef fish populations over demographic and evolutionary timescales 10,14 . Effective management of coral-reef seascapes is therefore particularly reliant on spatial tools to achieve conservation objectives. Although reef fish larvae clearly have the potential for long-distance movements 14 , there is increasing evidence that dispersal may be more limited than previously assumed 15,16 . The most compelling evidence of larvae returning to natal or nearby reefs has...

show abstract

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…R obust descriptions of larval dispersal are fundamental to studies of fish population dynamics 1,2 , fisheries management 3,4 and the design of reserve networks tasked with conserving ocean biodiversity 5,6 . Yet descriptions of larval dispersal patterns in ocean environments remain scarce.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Larval fish dispersal in a coral-reef seascape

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Considering how populations are connected across the network is critical in ensuring the resilience of populations and ecosystem integrity within and amongst ecosystems (Botsford 2001, Gaines et al 2003, and is increasingly recognised as a crucial element for climate change resilience (Magris et al 2014, Andrello et al 2015). Yet, within the Scottish process, MPA sites were chosen, proposed and approached designation prior to any formal assessment of connectivity between them.…”

Section: Critiquementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Data requirements for designing and assessing connectivity are large and understanding is currently limited (e.g. lack of data on the dispersal potential of species and complex, uncertain hydrodynamics ( (2016)), and Scotland should demonstrate more formal connectivity considerations that network will not follow guidelines for international best practice , Olds et al 2012, Magris et al 2014.…”

Section: Critiquementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Whilst there is a growing body of scientific literature on designing climate change resilient MPA networks (McLeod et al 2009, Brock et al 2012, Green et al 2014, Magris et al 2014, Andrello et al 2015, designing the network at a policy level is at odds with practical and successful implementation if the policy fails to address some of these scientific recommendations. With climate change ever present in the consciousness of conservation planners, how the proposed Scottish MPA network will perform under changing conditions is a key question.…”

Section: Critiquementioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Scotland's Marine Protected Area network: Reviewing progress towards achieving commitments for marine conservation

2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Significant progress has been made towards implementing Marine Protected Area (MPA) networks in UK waters, with Scotland successfully designating 30 new Scottish MPA sites in July 2014. This paper reviews the Scottish MPA process up to the point of implementation, summarising the process that led to the designation of the MPA network. In particular, this paper investigates the extent to which the process i) effectively engaged stakeholders; ii) used ecological guiding principles; and iii) considered climate change. In doing so, this paper highlights several key issues if the Scottish MPA network is to move beyond an administrative exercise and is able to make a meaningful contribution to marine biodiversity protection for Europe: i) fully adopt best practice ecological principles ii) ensure effective protection and iii) explicitly consider climate change in the management, monitoring and future iterations of the network.

show abstract

Connecting MPAs – eight challenges for science and management

Lagabrielle

Crochelet

Andrello

et al. 2014

Aquatic Conservation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ABSTRACT1. Connectivity is a crucial process underpinning the persistence, recovery, and productivity of marine ecosystems. The Convention on Biological Diversity, through the Aichi Target 11, has set the ambitious objective of implementing a 'well connected system of protected areas' by 2020.2. This paper identifies eight challenges toward the integration of connectivity into MPA network management and planning. A summary table lists the main recommendations in terms of method, tool, advice, or action to address each of these challenges. Authors belong to a science-management continuum including researchers, international NGO officers, and national MPA agency members.3. Three knowledge challenges are addressed: selecting and integrating connectivity measurement metrics; assessing the accuracy and uncertainty of connectivity measurements; and communicating and visualizing connectivity measurements.4. Three management challenges are described: integrating connectivity into the planning and management of MPA networks; setting quantitative connectivity targets; and implementing connectivity-based management across scales and marine jurisdictions.5. Finally, two paths toward a better integration of connectivity science with MPA management are proposed: setting management-driven priorities for connectivity research, bridging connectivity science, and MPA network management.6. There is no single method to integrate connectivity into marine spatial planning. Rather, an array of methods can be assembled according to the MPA network objectives, budget, available skills, data, and timeframe.7. Overall, setting up 'boundary organizations' should be promoted to organize complex cross-disciplinary, cross-sectoral and cross-jurisdiction interactions that are needed between scientists, managers, stakeholders and decision-makers to make informed decision regarding connectivity-based MPA planning and management.

show abstract

Integrating connectivity and climate change into marine conservation planning

Cited by 167 publications

References 111 publications

Larval fish dispersal in a coral-reef seascape

Larval fish dispersal in a coral-reef seascape

Scotland's Marine Protected Area network: Reviewing progress towards achieving commitments for marine conservation

Connecting MPAs – eight challenges for science and management

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About