Marine Protected Area Network Design Research Articles

From design to implementation: Lessons from planning the first marine protected area network in Canada

The social-ecological outcomes of marine protected areas (MPAs) can be amplified when sites are designed in networks that function cooperatively and synergistically. From 2015–2024, seventeen First Nations, the Province of British Columbia, and the Government of Canada collaboratively developed a Network Action Plan to establish an MPA Network for the Northern Shelf Bioregion (NSB). The NSB is a diverse and complex social-ecological region in British Columbia that spans an area of 102,000 km2 from Northern Vancouver Island to the Alaska border. Here, we describe the MPA Network planning process and the transition from Network planning to implementation. We discuss key elements of success that enabled the Network Action Plan’s collaborative development and lessons learned to inform and improve regional MPA Network implementation and global MPA Network planning and implementation. All phases of the planning process, including governance, development, engagement, design, and analysis, were guided by the following principles: collaborative governance, multiple ways of knowing, participatory engagement, and adaptation to new information. The Network Action Plan’s dynamic design process resulted in innovative approaches and tools to protect conservation objectives throughout the NSB. As the NSB MPA Network process transitions from planning toward implementation, collaborative governance, network monitoring, and ongoing participatory engagement processes will play a central role in advancing the goals and objectives articulated in the Network Action Plan and ensuring equitable social-ecological outcomes. Overall, the NSB MPA Network planning process provides a model for collaborative design of MPA Networks and can inform co-governance and co-management processes throughout the world.

Marine connectivity conservation: Guidance for MPA and MPA network design and management

The importance of considering ecological connectivity in the design of marine protected areas (MPAs) and ecologically coherent networks of protected areas across coasts and oceans has risen in prominence with the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This short communication highlights key messages emerging from a specialist conference session on marine connectivity by members of the IUCN-WCPA Marine Connectivity Working Group at the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5) in Vancouver in 2023. We consider the importance of spatial and temporal scale, knowledge and data gaps and some of the technological and scientific advances that are generating insights into species movements that can inform the ecologically meaningful design of protected areas for effective conservation of ecosystem integrity, biodiversity and the flow of ecosystem services.

A Resilient Marine Protected Area Network Design: A First for the Arafura Timor Seas

The Arafura and Timor Seas (ATS) comprise both near pristine and highly threatened marine ecosystems. There are four littoral nations (Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Australia, and Papua New Guinea), which have independently established Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). We design the first resilient MPA network for the entire region to protect critical habitats and species by considering transboundary features (i.e., connectivity of fisheries, rare, threatened, and protected species), uses and threats (i.e., fishing and climate change). We used Geographic Information System processing to identify gaps in the regional network based on existing and proposed MPAs and Areas of Interest (AOIs: previously identified as potential new MPAs) in each country, followed by systematic conservation planning to identify new AOIs for establishing MPAs to fill these gaps. The ATS MPA Network design (301,055 km2) has been endorsed by all four countries and includes all 93 existing (265,405 km2) and proposed (6,264 km2) MPAs, 13 previously identified AOIs (14,773 km2), and seven new AOIs identified in this study (14,613 km2). Of the new AOIs, three have been incorporated in Indonesia’s national MPA network plan, one is in a new MPA currently being developed in Timor-Leste, and Australia is considering two as potential areas for new MPAs.

Evaluating the design of the first marine protected area network in Pacific Canada under a changing climate

Marine protected area (MPAs) networks can buffer marine ecosystems from the impacts of climate change by allowing species to redistribute as conditions change and by reducing other stressors. There are, however, few examples where climate change has been considered in MPA network design. In this paper, we assess how climate change considerations were integrated into the design of a newly released MPA network in the Northern Shelf Bioregion in British Columbia, Canada, and then evaluate the resulting network against projected physical and biogeochemical changes and biological responses. We found that representation, replication, and size and spacing recommendations integrated into the design phase were met in most cases. Furthermore, despite varying degrees of projected changes in temperature, dissolved oxygen, and aragonite saturation across the MPA network, suitable habitat for demersal fish species is projected to remain in the network despite some redistribution among sites. We also found that mid-depth MPAs are particularly important for persistence, as fish are projected to move deeper to avoid warming in shallower areas. Our results highlight that a representative MPA network with adequate replication, that incorporates areas of varying climate change trajectory, should buffer against the impacts of climate change.

Current practices in marine systematic conservation planning: protocol for a global scoping review.

Background: Systematic Conservation Planning (SCP) involves a series of steps to identify conservation areas and develop management strategies, incorporating feedbacks, revisions, and iterations at any stage. It is a valuable tool in facilitating the effective implementation of Ecosystem-Based Marine Spatial Planning (EB-MSP). However, few efforts have been carried out to summarize information on methods, trends, and progress in SCP in the designation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The present work aims at providing the protocol to perform a scoping review (ScR) to assess the contribution of SCP to the design of effective MPA networks, identifying both the development of good practices and the presence of gaps of knowledge in terms of criteria for their implementation. Protocol: The ScR will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for ScRs supported the definition of this protocol. The three databases Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar will be used for the bibliographic search. Inclusion criteria will be as follows: studies applying SCP in the marine realms worldwide, assessing its contribution to the design of MPA networks. Both peer-reviewed and grey literature will be considered for eligibility. No search limitations will be applied regarding publications' year, stage, subject area and source type. Studies in English, French, German, Greek, Italian, and Spanish will be reviewed. Grey literature will be sourced from pre-print archives, institutional websites and other web-based search engines. The Covidence software will be used for the process of documents selection and data extraction. The findings of the ScR will be presented through tables, graphs, and maps, accompanied by a narrative summary of the outcomes. Conclusions: This comprehensive approach will provide a visual representation of the data, enhancing the understanding and interpretation of the results.

Guiding marine protected area network design with comparative phylogeography and population genomics: An exemplary case from the Southern Ocean

AbstractAimNetworks of connected marine protected areas (MPAn) are recognized as the key area‐based management tool to preserve biodiversity, moderate exploitation of marine resources and increase ecological resilience to climate change. Although population genetic studies could greatly benefit connectivity assessments between MPAs, genetic data are rarely used in MPAn planning. Here, we aim to illustrate the use of a multispecies and multilocus approach to provide recommendations for MPAn design, highlighting the importance of the species selected and the analyses performed. Our study is focused on the Southern Ocean, an area of keen multinational interest given its scientific significance, economic importance and its unique, shared legal status.LocationSouth Georgia and South Sandwich Islands MPA (SGSSI MPA), the South Orkney Islands and the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP)—where an MPA was proposed in 2018 (Domain 1 MPA) but has not been approved by the Commission for the Conservation of the Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).MethodsOur datasets include 819 individuals from five different species with contrasting life‐history strategies: two nemerteans (Antarctonemertes valida and A. riesgoae), two annelids (Pterocirrus giribeti and Neanthes kerguelensis) and one sponge (Mycale [Oxymycale] acerata). To identify genetic connectivity patterns in our study area, spanning roughly 2500 km, we used the COI mitochondrial marker and genome‐wide ddRADseq‐derived SNPs.ResultsA consistent lack of connectivity between SGSSI MPA and the WAP was found for all studied species. Additionally, our data indicated a stepping‐stone role for the South Orkney Islands between these two genetically differentiated regions.Main conclusionsOur results reveal how the application of comparative phylogeography and population genomics can guide policymakers in their decision‐making process during MPAn design. We detected priority areas for conservation in Antarctica, including the South Orkney Islands and the WAP, providing strong evidence for the implementation of the Domain 1 MPA.

Strong genetic structure and limited connectivity among populations of Clark’s Anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii) in the centre of marine biodiversity

Populations of anemonefish species often show signs of local isolation due to limited dispersal potential and oceanographic conditions. Additionally, anthropogenic pressure, such as overharvesting and coral reef exploitation causes reduced population size, eventually leading to local extinction. The understanding of the genetic population structure, as well as the influence of both historical and current connectivity, is required to design effective marine protected area (MPA) networks. In this study, the genetic structure of Clark’s Anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii) based on 209 individuals from 16 samples sites in the Indo-Malay Archipelago (IMA) is assessed through mitochondrial control region (mtCR) sequences and eight nuclear microsatellite loci. Results provided evidence of a significant genetic structure (mtCR: Φst = 0.42, Φct = 0.64; microsatellites: Fst = 0.01, Fct = 0.05). Genetic breaks were identified among Western (Padang Karimunjawa), Central (Sulawesi, Borneo, Bali, Komodo, Timor) and Eastern (Biak) IMA populations, with almost no gene flow. This matches with patterns obtained for congeneric and other coral reef taxa. Due to the restricted connectivity among these three regions, it is suggested to consider them as separate management areas in the design of MPA networks.

Advancing marine conservation through ecological connectivity: Building better connections for better protection

The incorporation of ecological connectivity, the unimpeded movement of species and the flow of natural processes that sustain life on Earth, into protected area design and management is critical to achieving conservation outcomes. However, the understanding and implementation of ecological connectivity in marine protected areas (MPAs) lags behind that of their terrestrial counterparts. Here, we highlight the important role of ecological connectivity in the design and management of MPA networks through an introduction to marine connectivity and the challenges and benefits of incorporating it into management. The paper also provides guidance for policy and practice, including “rules of thumb” for incorporating connectivity into MPA design and management, and case studies. MPA managers have the potential to increase the effectiveness, adaptability, and resilience of the resources under their stewardship through the purposeful incorporation of ecological connectivity into MPA design and management.

A data-limited modeling approach for conserving connectivity in marine protected area networks

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are areas of marine ecosystems that have some level of protection to support one or more conservation objectives. One characteristic of MPA networks is that MPAs are spatially configured such that they provide the greatest protection possible for multiple species. Yet, it can be difficult to determine optimal MPA network arrangement due to insufficient information on multi-species habitat use and their dispersal abilities as larvae and adults. Here, we propose a modelling approach that involves determining the optimal MPA network configuration for multiple species assemblages, located at different depths and having differing dispersal abilities. As a case study, we applied this methodology in Pacific Canada where we identified optimal MPA configurations to protect 40 species having different pelagic larval duration (proxy for dispersal) at 3 different depth class groupings (proxy for habitat use). Taken together, we found dispersal ability had a larger impact on optimal MPA network configuration for species spending a long time as larvae compared to species spending a short time as larvae. We identify which 10% of this area is most important to conserve to maintain connectivity for a multi-species MPA network and show that half of these sites remain important to conserve in the future as climate change alters connectivity patterns. This model for MPA network design is feasible with limited data which is beneficial for application to other regions and ecosystems.

Ecological criteria for designing effective MPA networks for large migratory pelagics: Assessing the consistency between IUCN best practices and scholarly literature

Networks of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been proposed as one tool for the protection of large, migratory pelagic species, but debate exists on the utility of MPAs for these species. International conservation arenas have developed criteria for effective MPA networks, with the IUCN-WCPA [1] outlining five ecological guidelines in designing resilient MPA networks. This review examines recent literature to: (1) assess the degree to which the five IUCN guidelines address large migratory at-risk pelagic species; (2) assess differences between the scientific literature and IUCN guidelines in the manner in which effective MPA networks are conceptualized for these species; (3) identify additional relevant design themes for effective conservation of migratory pelagics through MPA networks not addressed by the IUCN guidelines; and, (4) identify challenges and opportunities for the design of MPA networks for this suite of species. Results indicate that neither the literature nor the IUCN-WCPA guidelines provide comprehensive strategies for designing MPA networks for large, migratory pelagic species. The study concludes that the IUCN-WCPA guidelines can be potentially effective for these species if migratory connectivity is fully accounted for and complementary adaptive and dynamic mechanisms are developed for integration across wider seascapes and sectors at large regional and global scales. To this end, updates to the design guidelines for MPA networks are warranted, particularly with respect to connectivity, adaptive and dynamic approaches, and international collaborations. Greater clarity and consistency in the definitions and uses of the terms MPAs and MPA networks is warranted to facilitate collaborative efforts.

Comparing the Marine Protected Area Network Planning Process in British Columbia, Canada and New Zealand – Planning for cooperative partnerships with Indigenous communities

Marine Protected Area (MPA) network planning is increasingly used to amplify the effectiveness of individual protected area sites through ecological connectivity, redundancy and replication of protected habitats. Bioregional MPA network planning has been undertaken in Canada and in New Zealand nearly concurrently and offers an opportunity to compare these two jurisdictions and processes as they advance toward implementation of the MPA networks. Governance and management planning for MPA networks poses several challenges beyond those for individual MPAs. Additionally, some Indigenous communities within the two planning bioregions are also seeking shared-governance and management arrangements for the networks. While systematic approaches have been undertaken in both countries for the planning and design of regional MPA networks, implementation and management planning cannot occur in isolation from the design, and must similarly reflect both the interactions between individual protected areas, and the full scope of the governance rights, structures, and jurisdiction across the bioregions.

MPA network design based on graph theory and emergent properties of larval dispersal

Despite the recognised effectiveness of networks of marine protected areas (MPAs) as a biodiversity conservation instrument, MPA network design frequently disregards the importance of connectivity patterns. In the case of sedentary marine populations, connectivity stems not only from the stochastic nature of the physical environment that affects dispersal of early life stages, but also from the spawning stock attributes that affect reproductive output (e.g. passive eggs and larvae) and survivorship. Early life stages are virtually impossible to track in the ocean. Therefore, numerical ocean current simulations coupled with egg and larval Lagrangian transport models remain the most common approach for the assessment of marine larval connectivity. Inferred larval connectivity may differ depending on the type of connectivity considered; consequently, the prioritisation of sites for the conservation of marine populations might also differ. Here, we introduce a framework for evaluating and designing MPA networks based on the identification of connectivity hotspots using graph theoretic analysis. As a case study, we used a network of open-access areas and MPAs off Mallorca Island (Spain), and tested its effectiveness for the protection of the painted comber Serranus scriba. Outputs from network analysis were used to (1) identify critical areas for improving overall larval connectivity, (2) assess the impact of species’ biological parameters in network connectivity and (3) explore alternative MPA configurations to improve average network connectivity. Results demonstrate the potential of graph theory to identify non-trivial egg/larval dispersal patterns and emerging collective properties of the MPA network, which are relevant for increasing protection efficiency.

Evaluating whether MPA management measures meet ecological principles for effective biodiversity protection

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been implemented as a spatial management tool throughout the world in order to meet targets for marine biodiversity conservation. The success of MPAs in achieving biodiversity conservation objectives is strongly dependent on effective management. However, evaluation frameworks for MPA management measures are often procedurally or governance focused with limited consideration of biological criteria. Here we review guiding ecological principles of MPA network design and how they can be applied to the evaluation of MPA management measures for effective biodiversity conservation. We have developed a Qualitative Statement Framework that makes recommendations for applying ecological principles to MPA management measures, using the Scottish nature conservation MPA network as a case study. Our statements to guide MPA management measure evaluation relate to principles: representation, ecologically significant areas, rare, threatened or declining features replication, connectivity, adequacy/viability and resilience. We suggest that using the ecological principles for MPA design in management measure evaluation addresses a gap in current management evaluation tools. This approach would be particularly useful in situations where management measures are applied to MPAs post-designation and where MPAs are managed as zoned or multi-use sites. Future MPA management evaluations should incorporate criteria to demonstrate how management measures meet each of the ecological principles.

Developing a marine protected area network with multiple objectives in China

AbstractSystematic conservation planning (SCP) is an efficient tool to design marine protected area (MPA) networks. Although China has decades of experience in developing MPAs, its current MPA designs are limited to small spatial scales and are infrequently supported by a systematic planning approach.As one of few studies to incorporate biological and socio‐economic information in marine conservation prioritization in China, this study, targeting Haizhou Bay in China, provides a range of MPA network alternatives and evaluates the current design for four scenarios with different objectives. This corresponds to the major challenges for China's MPAs: conserve biodiversity; protect ecologically and economically important species; minimize socio‐economic costs; and reduce enforcement costs. Furthermore, this study considers the compatibility of aquaculture practices, economically critical to China's coastal regions, in MPA designs and implementations.This study determines that current MPA designs are inadequate to meet conservation objectives. For instance, existing MPAs cover less than 10% of the ranges of target species for conservation. There are substantial conservation gaps offshore.By constructing and analysing planning scenarios, this study demonstrates the trade‐offs in objectives as well as the importance of implementing SCP in China's MPA network design. Lessons learned from this study are also applicable to multi‐objective conservation prioritization in other countries.

Bridging the divide: Social–ecological coherence in Marine Protected Area network design

Abstract Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and networks of MPAs are being implemented globally as a spatial management tool for achieving conservation objectives. There has been considerable progress in reaching the prescribed 10% protected area target for 2020, outlined in the Convention on Biological Diversity Aichi Target 11 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14. The application of MPA network design principles (e.g. Representative, ecological connectivity), which underpin ecological coherence, is still lacking or insufficient in many regions. Poor ecological coherence hinders the ecological performance of MPA networks, leading to dysfunction in the flow of ecosystem services and reduced ecosystem benefits, with potentially negative consequences for human well‐being. This paper presents four pivotal focus points for future progress that can bridge the gap between ecological and social systems. The aim is to shift the discourse of ‘ecological coherence’ further into the social sphere, and hence support the alignment of the process of designating ecologically coherent MPA networks with the ‘triple bottom line’ of economic development, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion, as described in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to achieve social–ecological coherence in MPA network design.

Biogeographic constraints to marine conservation in a changing climate.

The siting of protected areas to achieve management and conservation objectives draws heavily on biogeographic concepts of the spatial distribution and connectivity of species. However, the marine protected area (MPA) literature rarely acknowledges how biogeographic theories underpin MPA and MPA network design. We review which theories from biogeography have been incorporated into marine spatial planning and which relevant concepts have yet to be translated to inform the next generation of design principles. This biogeographic perspective will only become more relevant as climate change amplifies these spatial and temporal dynamics, and as species begin to shift in and out of existing MPAs. The scale of climate velocities predicted for the 21st century dwarfs all but the largest MPAs currently in place, raising the possibility that in coming decades many MPAs will no longer contain the species or assemblages they were established to protect. We present a number of design elements that could improve the success of MPAs and MPA networks in light of biogeographic processes and climate change. Biogeographically informed MPA networks of the future may resemble the habitat corridors currently being considered for many terrestrial regions.

Temperate marine protected area provides recruitment subsidies to local fisheries

The utility of marine protected areas (MPAs) as a means of protecting exploited species and conserving biodiversity within MPA boundaries is supported by strong empirical evidence. However, the potential contribution of MPAs to fished populations beyond their boundaries is still highly controversial; empirical measures are scarce and modelling studies have produced a range of predictions, including both positive and negative effects. Using a combination of genetic parentage and relatedness analysis, we measured larval subsidies to local fisheries replenishment for Australasian snapper (Chrysophrys auratus: Sparidae) from a small (5.2 km2), well-established, temperate, coastal MPA in northern New Zealand. Adult snapper within the MPA contributed an estimated 10.6% (95% CI: 5.5-18.1%) of newly settled juveniles to surrounding areas (approx. 400 km2), with no decreasing trend in contributions up to 40 km away. Biophysical modelling of larval dispersal matched experimental data, showing larvae produced inside the MPA dispersed over a comparable distance. These results demonstrate that temperate MPAs have the potential to provide recruitment subsidies at magnitudes and spatial scales relevant to fisheries management. The validated biophysical model provides a cost-efficient opportunity to generalize these findings to other locations and climate conditions, and potentially informs the design of MPA networks for enhancing fisheries management.

A multiple-species framework for integrating movement processes across life stages into the design of marine protected areas

A major objective of marine protected area (MPA) network design is to ensure the persistence of species with diverse life histories and functional traits. Considering how species differ in their propensity to move within and between MPAs is therefore a key consideration for multi-species MPA network design. Here, we propose a conceptual framework to incorporate ecological processes that affect movement at multiple life stages into the MPA network design process. We illustrate how our framework can be implemented using a set of hypothetical species that represent regional trait diversity in coastal British Columbia, Canada. We focused on two ecological processes: (1) dispersal during the larval phase and (2) daily home range movement during the adult phase. To identify functional connectivity patterns, we used a biophysical model to simulate larval dispersal, and then prioritized highly-connected patches using a reserve selection algorithm. To ensure that individual reserves were commensurate with home ranges, we also imposed reserve size constraints. Candidate areas for protection were identified based on multi-species connectivity patterns and home range size constraints. Collectively, this conceptual framework offers a flexible approach to multi-species, cross-life stage conservation planning, which can be further adapted to address complex life histories. As marine conservation efforts around the globe aim to design ecologically connected networks of protected areas, the integration of movement and connectivity data throughout ontogeny will be a key component of effective multi-species MPA network design.

Integrating conservation and economic objectives in MPA network planning: A case study from New Zealand

Several international agreements and conventions require nations to establish Marine Protected Area (MPA) networks as an approach to alleviating biodiversity declines; however, a common problem in planning MPA networks is how to balance conservation objectives against economic objectives. Here, using the distributions of 102 biodiversity features and 7 extractive uses we trial the systematic conservation planning software Zonation as a decision-support tool to facilitate progress towards New Zealand's commitment to establishing a representative network of MPAs while providing for economic development. Our results indicate that: (i) New Zealand's existing MPAs provide on average 70% less representation of the input biodiversity features than would be achieved by an MPA network of equivalent area designed from the outset using Zonation; (ii) small increases in the geographic extent of existing protection results in rapid increases in representation of the selected biodiversity features when systematic conservation planning software is used to inform expansion of existing protection; and (iii) the impacts on existing resource users of an expanded MPA system can be minimized by using Zonation to identify areas that increase biodiversity representation, while avoiding areas where existing uses may be incompatible with marine protection. These results demonstrate the utility of systematic conservation planning software as a decision-support tool within a broader social process for MPA network design and implementation. The iterative application of tools such as Zonation during participatory processes that balance alternative uses could potentially lead to more informed, efficient and socially enduring outcomes that enhance the ability to establish representative MPA networks.

An adaptable toolkit to assess commercial fishery costs and benefits related to marine protected area network design

Around the world, governments are establishing Marine Protected Area (MPA) networks to meet their commitments to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. MPAs are often used in an effort to conserve biodiversity and manage fisheries stocks. However, their efficacy and effect on fisheries yields remain unclear. We conducted a case-study on the economic impact of different MPA network design strategies on the Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua) fisheries in Canada. The open-source R package that we developed to analyze this case study can be customized to conduct similar analyses for other systems. We used a spatially-explicit individual-based model of population growth and dispersal coupled with a fisheries management and harvesting component. We found that MPA networks that both protect the target species’ habitat and were spatially optimized to improve population connectivity had the highest net present value (i.e., were most profitable for the fishing industry). These higher profits were achieved primarily by reducing the distance travelled for fishing and reducing the probability of a moratorium event. These findings add to a growing body of knowledge demonstrating the importance of incorporating population connectivity in the MPA planning process, as well as the ability of this R package to explore ecological and economic consequences of alternative MPA network designs.