Connectivity within and among a Network of Temperate Marine Reserves

Melinda A Coleman,Hamish A Malcolm,Alan Jordan,David Harasti,Brendan P Kelaher,Nathan A Knott,Justine Chambers,Howard Browman

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0020168

Abstract

Networks of marine reserves are increasingly being promoted as a means of conserving marine biodiversity. One consideration in designing systems of marine reserves is the maintenance of connectivity to ensure the long-term persistence and resilience of populations. Knowledge of connectivity, however, is frequently lacking during marine reserve design and establishment. We characterise patterns of genetic connectivity of 3 key species of habitat-forming macroalgae across an established network of temperate marine reserves on the east coast of Australia and the implications for adaptive management and marine reserve design. Connectivity varied greatly among species. Connectivity was high for the subtidal macroalgae Ecklonia radiata and Phyllospora comosa and neither species showed any clear patterns of genetic structuring with geographic distance within or among marine parks. In contrast, connectivity was low for the intertidal, Hormosira banksii, and there was a strong pattern of isolation by distance. Coastal topography and latitude influenced small scale patterns of genetic structure. These results suggest that some species are well served by the current system of marine reserves in place along this temperate coast but it may be warranted to revisit protection of intertidal habitats to ensure the long-term persistence of important habitat-forming macroalgae. Adaptively managing marine reserve design to maintain connectivity may ensure the long-term persistence and resilience of marine habitats and the biodiversity they support.

Highlights

Marine reserves are increasingly being promoted as a means of managing coastal resources and protecting marine biodiversity [1,2,3,4]
Ecklonia, there was no evidence of null alleles but some evidence of linkage between Locus SSR11K32 and other loci
Private alleles were only found in 2 sanctuary zones within Batemans Marine Park (BMP)

Summary

Introduction

Marine reserves are increasingly being promoted as a means of managing coastal resources and protecting marine biodiversity [1,2,3,4]. Individual marine reserves are often designed to meet specific conservation needs for species or habitats, networks of connected reserves are widely acknowledged to be an important tool for ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of marine environments [8,9]. A key reason for designing networks of marine reserves is connectivity [10,11]; the exchange of genetic material, species or resources within and among populations. This aspect of marine reserve planning is important for maintaining and restoring natural ecological processes as well as genetic diversity. Understanding scales of connectivity is a key consideration in marine reserve planning because it can enhance predictions about population dynamics and the ability for population recovery or rehabilitation, as well as assists in identification of areas as important sources or sinks of propagule dispersal [14,15]

Methods

Results

Conclusion