How far have we come? A review of MPA network performance indicators in reaching qualitative elements of Aichi Target 11

Mairi C Meehan,Natalie C Ban,Joachim Claudet,Gerald G Singh,Rodolphe Devillers

doi:10.1111/conl.12746

Abstract

AbstractEffective networks of marine protected areas (MPAs) are explicitly recognized and called for in international biodiversity conservation strategies such as the Aichi Targets. While various indicators have been proposed to assess effectiveness of individual MPAs, no comprehensive set of indicators exists for MPA networks, particularly for Aichi Target 11. The qualitative elements of this target recognize the value of social, economic, governance, and ecological factors in achieving effective biodiversity conservation. Here, we used a systematic literature review to identify indicators of MPA network effectiveness. We reviewed 64 publications, identifying 48 indicators that could be aligned with the qualitative elements. Results showed that assessments of MPA network effectiveness predominantly focused on effective management while neglecting equitable management and integration into the wider land and seascape. Indicators tended to focus on ecological characteristics, overlooking social, economic, and governance dimensions. Key challenges in addressing these gaps include identifying conflicting priorities and objectives in adjacent marine and land areas that interfere with cooperation and knowledge sharing, and ensuring diverse areas with distinct social and ecological contexts are considered. This study provides the first review of indicators for assessing MPA networks and adds to the literature assessing whether current and future targets can be met.

Highlights

The protection of global marine and coastal ecosystems has garnered increased scientific and political interest in the last decade, driven by international targets such as the Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) Aichi Target 11 (CBD 2011; Sala et al 2018).Aichi Target 11 calls for “...at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water areas, and 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services [to be conserved through] effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative, well-connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscape and seascape”(CBD 2011)
Aichi Target 11 are designed to ensure that established protected areas are effective beyond consideration of the quantitative target by providing a conceptualization of how marine protected areas (MPAs) networks should attain biodiversity conservation
Our review identified 64 papers that discussed the effectiveness of an MPA network or system of MPAs in reaching one or more qualitative elements

Summary

Introduction

The protection of global marine and coastal ecosystems has garnered increased scientific and political interest in the last decade, driven by international targets such as the Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) Aichi Target 11 (CBD 2011; Sala et al 2018).Aichi Target 11 calls for “...at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water areas, and 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services [to be conserved through] effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative, well-connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscape and seascape”(CBD 2011). ‘effective management’, ‘integration into the wider land and seascape’ and ‘ecological representation’) are designed to ensure that established protected areas are effective beyond consideration of the quantitative target by providing a conceptualization of how MPA networks should attain biodiversity conservation (Rees et al 2018; Geldmann et al.2020). Contributes to a growing awareness that conservation strategies need to move beyond protecting individual, isolated areas (CBD 2011; Adams et al 2019). This is relevant for marine systems, which is the focus of this research. MPA networks are essential biodiversity conservation tools designed to improve marine biodiversity protection by encompassing spatial scales that better reflect species’

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