Maritime Spatial Planning Research Articles

Analysis of fishing intensity in the South China Sea based on automatic identification system data: A comparison between China and Vietnam

AbstractObjectiveRecently, the South China Sea has been facing a crisis of depleted fishery resources, primarily due to the impacts of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities, as well as overfishing. Accurately understanding the fishing activity intensity in the South China Sea holds significant implications for the sustainable management of fisheries resources.MethodsLeveraging the automatic identification system trajectory data from 2018, this paper employs spatial statistical methods and fishing effort indicators to comparatively analyze the spatial variations in fishing intensity between Chinese and Vietnamese fishing vessels.ResultThe results of this study show that (1) in 2018, the total fishing effort of Chinese fishing vessels in the South China Sea was 7.65 times that of Vietnamese vessels, but during China's South China Sea fishing moratorium, the fishing effort exerted by Vietnamese vessels surpassed that of China and (2) the top 10 ports in China and Vietnam support approximately 30% and 55.13% of their respective fishing intensities in the South China Sea.ConclusionThe study highlights significant variations in fishing intensity between Chinese and Vietnamese vessels and the substantial support provided by major ports. These findings offer valuable insights for fisheries resource monitoring and maritime spatial planning, contributing to the sustainable management of the South China Sea's fisheries resources.

Coastal and Marine Management – Navigating islands of data

The disciplines of Coastal Management and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) are predominantly focussed on creating a regulatory and legislative framework within which national and regional planning policies, climate mitigation measures and environmental monitoring requirements can be effectively implemented. These evidence-based processes necessitate the discoverability, accessibility and integration of appropriate ‘trusted’ coastal and marine data together with contiguous terrestrial datasets. This presents significant challenges at national and local levels. While authoritative open data is often available, the data for any management requirement is often dispersed across a wide range of national online portals, statistical and research hubs, ‘scientific’ platforms and occasionally, private companies. This is exemplified in Ireland, where MSP is in its infancy, and consequently, the breadth of MSP foundational thematic marine data requirements required to comply with this Directive has yet to be fully realised by end-users/stakeholders and data providers. This study examines the nexus between mandatory data requirements of the European Community’s Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community (INSPIRE) Directive11INSPIRE Directive (2007/2/EC) is a legal EU initiative to establish an INfrastructure for SPatial InfoRmation in Europe and to make geographical information more accessible and interoperable for the management of the environment and other wide range of purposes towards supporting sustainable development (EC, 2021) (2007/2/EC), (EC, 2007) and the evidence-base needs of its Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) Directive (2014/89/EU). An extensive inventory of coastal and MSP thematic data features is identified and categorised (into sectoral/thematic clusters) and appropriate and authoritative online sources (where available) are scoped out. Through an in-depth interrogation of national and EU sectoral platforms or portals, (much of whose data was originally captured for a diverse range of applications and management processes), and in view of INSPIRE’s well-established (legally-binding) data specifications, standards and guidance, a methodology is presented to accelerate coastal and marine data discovery, and to collate or ‘group’ these authoritative data sources under broad but succinct MSP thematic headings. The resulting coastal and marine data catalogue is the first step in the creation of an easy data reference and retrieval tool for Irish coastal and marine practitioners, and presents a model for other nations.

Analysis of development of floating offshore wind energy in Spain

Offshore wind energy generation has developed rapidly especially in the last decade. In some countries, despite having good wind conditions for its development, it has not been possible to implement it. This is because its continental shelf is very short, that is, the land under water in shallow seas is not wide enough to install fixed foundations. Consequently, the development of floating platforms is awakening interest in this type of generation, as is the case in Spain. In this article, a methodology for calculation the generated electrical energy in floating offshore wind farms and the corresponding losses is developed. In this way, all necessary data involved in the methodology have been obtained from the sites destined for offshore wind development. These emplacements have been released by Spanish Government in recently approved Maritime Spatial Plan. The generation potentials in Spanish waters have been evaluated according to most interesting ratios as levelized cost of energy, capacity factor and cost of installed megawatt. Results show that most of emplacements are interesting enough for the development of OWFs. Deserve to be mentioned three main areas, such as, northwest waters, Canary Island zones and north part of Catalonia.

Ecosystem-based maritime spatial planning in practice? On the limitations of a legalistic planning tradition

The implementation of an ecosystem-based approach (EBA) is a core requirement of the EU Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) directive. Ecosystem-based management presents a fundamental challenge to established practices concerning the planning of marine space and the governance of human activities at sea. Experience to date indicates considerable variation in the application of EBA across Europe. This variation can be attributed in part to differences in underlying planning traditions and cultures. In this article, we examine the specific case of EBA implementation in the current maritime spatial plan for Germany’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Following an interpretive analysis approach, we critically analyse how the scope and function of planning are understood in German MSP policy and practice. A narrow understanding of planning as solely concerned with the spatial coordination of competing claims on marine space is traced to a legalistic terrestrial planning tradition with a long history in German public administration. This narrow interpretation of the role of planning is found to fundamentally restrict the strategic, performative capacity of German MSP and, in particular, the potential for German MSP to apply ecosystem-based management principles. In conclusion, we contend that the implementation of an EBA requires a fundamental shift in planning paradigms and modes of governance. This empirical case provides a basis for critical reflection on the capacity of EU member states to implement an EBA as understood under the MSP directive and the mode of planning this might entail.

Conceptualizing maritime spatial planning – A pilot study on viewpoints across Northern European Seas

Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) is a complex process involving various actors with deviating viewpoints, perceptions and approaches. This study identifies and explains different viewpoints in northern European MSP processes by contextualizing the different viewpoints of national maritime spatial planners, policymakers, scientists, consultants, and representatives of intergovernmental organizations who are involved in the MSP process. The Q Methodology, a method to study the subjectivity of participants, combines qualitative and quantitative approaches to explore people’s viewpoints has been utilized to identify the different frameworks in MSP. A total of five viewpoints have been conceptualized in MSP, based on 17 participants and 39 statements, that cover the whole range of MSP. Simultaneously, respective factor loadings of participants have been identified. This research proves that there seems to be a limited set of viewpoints among the community, despite the amount of stakeholders, their different backgrounds and origin. Results of this study could help to manage different or even conflicting viewpoints in MSP in the future.

Co-creation of socio-ecological systems knowledge to adopt an Ecosystem-based Approach and Land-Sea Interactions in maritime spatial planning

The European Union (EU) Directive on maritime spatial planning (MSP) (2014/89/EU) requires EU coastal states to design maritime spatial plans to coordinate maritime actions in a sustainable manner. In Finland, MSP is the joint responsibility of authorities at the regional level with differing development visions and operating environments. To support the adoptation of the planning concepts of an Ecosystem-based Approach (EBA) and Land-Sea Interactions (LSI) in MSP, they have been embedded into planning work through adopting the social-ecological systems (SES) approach in a co-creation process, which has been open to anyone interested, including sectoral representatives as well as experts at all national to local levels. This research examines the co-creation of shared knowledge among MSP authorities and stakeholders, as well as the ways in which the utilized SES approach has helped to generate consensus on the sustainable use of natural resources. We examined the co-creation of systemic thinking among four maritime sectors: fishing, fish farming, offshore wind energy, and tourism. Results indicate that the co-creation process helped evolve shared knowledge and deeper systemic understanding on the direct and indirect links between the good state of the marine environment and human wellbeing, as well as which actions support sustainable development and sustainable blue economy at the local and regional levels. However, the level of advancement varies among sectors. Nonetheless, evolved systemic thinking has supported the adoptation of the concepts of EBA and LSI in the bottom-up MSP approach and resilient adaptive governance in MSP.

Addressing ocean planning challenges in a highly crowded sea space: a case study for the regional sea of Catalonia (Western Mediterranean).

This study performs an exploratory analysis of current-future sustainability challenges for ocean planning for the regional seas of Catalonia located in the Western Mediterranean (Spain). To address the challenges we develop an Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP)-oriented geodatabase of maritime activities and deploy three spatial models: 1) an analysis of regional contribution to the 30% protection commitment with Biodiversity Strategy 2030; 2) a spatial Maritime Use Conflict (MUC) analysis to address current and future maritime activities interactions and 3) the StressorGenerator QGIS application to locate current and anticipate future sea areas of highest anthropogenic stress. Results show that the i) study area is one of the most protected sea areas in the Mediterranean (44-51% of sea space protected); ii) anthropogenic stressors are highest in 1-4 nautical miles coastal areas, where maritime activities agglomerate, in the Gulf of Roses and Gulf of Saint Jordi. iii) According to the available datasets commercial fishery is causing highest conflict score inside protected areas. Potential new aquaculture sites are causing highest conflict in Internal Waters and the high potential areas for energy cause comparably low to negligible spatial conflicts with other uses. We discuss the added value of performing regional MSP exercises and define five challenges for regional ocean sustainability, namely: Marine protection beyond percentage, offshore wind energy: a new space demand, crowded coastal areas, multi-level governance of the regional sea and MSP knowledge gaps.

Quantifying seabed geodiversity of the Archipelago Sea, Baltic Sea, Finland

This study investigated the geodiversity of the Archipelago Sea in the northern Baltic Sea, focusing on geological features and their spatial distribution. By adapting methods used in previous Baltic Sea studies, we conducted spatial analyses of geological data sets including bedrock type, seabed substrates and seabed structures. Bedrock and substrate data were freely available, while seabed structures were modelled from bathymetry data. Geodiversity was quantified using a geodiversity index, which considers the variety of physical elements, roughness and area of the unit. The analyses revealed a diverse seabed environment in the Archipelago Sea with varying geodiversity throughout the study area. Significant features contributing to geodiversity included bedrock fracture and fault zones and large end-moraine formations. Similar patterns have been observed in terrestrial areas of Finland. The analyses also detected relations between archipelago zonation and geodiversity with areas of open sea more homogeneous than the middle and inner archipelago. This study formally recognises the complexity of the seabed in the Archipelago Sea and highlights the importance of understanding the geological processes shaping the region. The results can inform maritime spatial planning and sustainable resource management.

Mapping and Assessing Cultural Ecosystem Services to Inform Maritime Spatial Planning: A Systematic Review

Socio-cultural dimensions and values in maritime spatial planning (MSP) are gaining momentum worldwide and especially in the European Union (EU), since it is acknowledged that they are the “missing layer” of maritime spatial plans (MSPlans). These values are partly explored through cultural ecosystem services (CES). Coastal and marine CES refer to the benefits that humans derive from the coastal and marine environments in recreational, artistic, spiritual, and educational terms. They reflect the ways in which coastal and marine ecosystems contribute to human well-being, cultural identity, and interactions with nature. The research question is how to map and assess coastal/marine ecosystem services and to integrate them in the MSPlans. Thus, this systematic review sheds light on methodological and technical issues with CES mapping and assessment and provides guidance on how to incorporate CES in MSP for future research. Publications dealing with the spatial aspects of CES were examined with an extra focus on participatory mapping approaches. Initially, 199 articles were identified, and 50 articles were ultimately eligible for the analysis. Papers were concentrated in the European Atlantic, whilst their scope was either local or regional. A large number of articles consider the contribution of CES to efficient marine management rather than to achieving an integrated and coordinated MSP. Social and mixed mapping approaches were met with the most often, especially participatory mapping approaches. Also, non-monetary valuation was prevailing, and a multitude of techniques, tools, and statistical software were used. In most of the cases, the distribution of values in relation to environmental, socio-economic, and demographic factors was examined. This article concludes that an effective integration of CES into MSP is crucial for creating prospects of a more sustainable and inclusive approach to coastal/marine planning and for the well-being of ecosystems and communities both currently and for future generations. This knowledge should become “property” of the maritime spatial planners.

Cumulative effects of offshore wind farms on common guillemots (Uria aalge) in the southern North Sea - climate versus biodiversity?

Governments are under increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and large-scale wind farms are being developed in marine environments worldwide. However, top predators are strongly affected by environmental change and anthropogenic activities. Common guillemots (Uria aalge, hereafter guillemots), as one of the world’s most numerous seabird species, are prone to interference with offshore wind farms (OWFs). This study assessed the cumulative impacts of all operating OWFs on guillemots in the German North Sea. These estimates were applied to quantify the possible conflicts between guillemot occurrence and current German government plans to implement large-scale OWFs. If OWFs were implemented according to the current maritime spatial plan for the German Exclusive Economic zone, they would cover 13% of the German North Sea. Guillemot numbers peak during autumn, with German North Sea offshore waters hosting approximately 90,000 individuals. Guillemot density in autumn was significantly reduced within a radius of 19.5 km around operating OWFs. Applying this disturbance distance to current installation plans, about 70% of the German North Sea would be affected, and an estimated 68% of guillemots in the German North Sea would experience habitat loss. This highlights the possible threat to guillemots in the southern North Sea if the current German government plans are implemented. The current estimates are highly relevant to decisions regarding marine spatial planning and management recommendations. Such evaluations are essential for developing sustainable scenarios including reducing the human CO2 footprint, whilst also conserving biodiversity.

How to Incorporate Cultural Values and Heritage in Maritime Spatial Planning: A Systematic Review

Understanding aspects of maritime/underwater cultural heritage (MUCH) and the associated cultural values and integrating them into maritime spatial planning (MSP) processes is a new global challenge alongside the rapid increase in human activities at sea and climate change impacts on the seas and the oceans. This article highlights the significance of cultural values in shaping human interactions with marine environments and how MSP can address the cultural dimensions of marine resources management. The key research question addresses the prerequisites and methods for a better incorporation of MUCH in the MSP processes. This review revealed a diversity of literature addressing the inclusion of MUCH in (a) coastal and marine management but also in (b) marine/maritime spatial planning (346 articles from the Scopus database). In the first case, there is a strong focus on cultural ecosystem services (CES) and cultural values, the role of indigenous and local communities, the transfer of traditional ecological knowledge, and participatory approaches and tools. As for the latter, this review demonstrated quite a lot of relatively recent MSP endeavors that seem to be influenced by the above approaches identified in the coastal and marine management literature. This article concludes that for MSPlans to be innovative and mainly acceptable by local communities, the “missing layer” of socio-cultural values and data is indispensable. Furthermore, a collaborative MSP between governments and regional/provincial authorities may boost sustainable blue activities while preserving ecological and cultural values.

The Spatial and Governance Dilemma of Small and Medium-Sized Italian Ports (SMPs): Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) as a Potential Response

The Italian coast has about 700 ports, which are different in typology, dimension, role, and ownership. Historically, this has led to the significant fragmentation of governance and space and a lack of cooperation that ports and cities still experience today. Among all ports, small and medium-sized ports (SMPs), such as marinas, small touristic harbors, and moorings, are the most affected. Unlike the main ports, where spatial and strategic regulation planning fall under the port authority’s responsibilities, SMPs are a combination of public and private management and are, therefore, excluded from national and regional planning and larger strategies. Improving SMPs’ cooperation at the regional level can drive more effective sustainable management among related activities (tourism and the fishing sector) and reduce pressures on the land–sea interaction (LSI). In filling the gaps, this article challenges the existing legal framework, planning tools, approaches, and initiatives and may pave the way to establishing a better-integrated national governance for SMPs. In conclusion, this paper identifies two main opportunities that can support the steady establishment of governance and the systematic harmonized development of these SMPs. The first one is offered by maritime spatial planning (MSP) as a strategic and legal tool whereby SMPs are recognized and, if financially supported, could find incentives and measures for their development. The second one is through European projects, programs, and initiatives such as Framesport as drivers in establishing a common ground among public and private interests and as a cooperation engine at a local scale.

The ups and downs of maritime spatial planning in Portugal

Directive 2014/89/EU provided a common framework for MSP in Europe, aiming to promote the sustainable development of maritime activities. However, its implementation has been facing various challenges in different Member States. This paper presents the evolution of MSP in Portugal and analyses how the conditions set by the directive have been addressed, particularly in the environmental domain. The analyses are mainly achieved through existing literature and the positions taken by the National Council for Environment and Sustainable Development. Portuguese efforts around MSP started before the approval of the directive and allowed a valuable learning experience. The legal diplomas later adopted provided a framework for developing marine spatial plans with a more comprehensive architecture of the MSP system. While some issues remain in terms of meeting some of the requirements of the directive, operational procedures and assessment of MSP implementation, there are positive aspects highlighted with the entire presentation of the situation of MSP in Portugal so far.

MSP for port areas – To what extent should we interfere with governance of ports’ waters? Case study of Polish seaports

The EU MSP Directive imposed the requirement to develop plans for all water areas under the jurisdiction of an EU country by the end of March 2021. Poland is the only country in the Baltic Sea Region whose maritime administration has decided to elaborate detailed maritime spatial plans for port waters. The aim of the paper is to draw conclusions from the work carried out so far on the MSP for Polish port water areas. For this purpose, the drafts of the first ever plans for port areas, constituting Poland’s internal marine waters, were considered. The authors analysed planning efforts concerning Polish port water areas in two stages, quantitative and qualitative. The subjects of the analysis were the draft spatial maritime plans, prepared or in preparation, for three selected ports – Gdańsk, Szczecin and Elbląg. These study cases were chosen to represent the best variety of approaches (they were elaborated by different planning companies, having very different planning backgrounds) and were the basis for evaluating the solutions proposed in the draft plans in terms of possible interpretations of the plan’s provisions. The paper raises such questions as: What kind of functions (uses) occur while elaborating the maritime spatial plan of the port’s waters?; How are the functions distinguished within the ports’ plans interpreted by planers originating from different environments and having different types of planning experience?; How could the process of maritime spatial planning for port waters be coordinated between port authorities, maritime administration, and municipal authorities?

Designing and implementing a multi-scalar approach to Maritime Spatial Planning: The case study of Italy

The Italian coastal and marine space includes areas with remarkable differences in terms of oceanographic characteristics, maritime uses, natural habitats, species distribution, landscape and cultural heritage. In Italy, coastal and marine management competencies are shared among national, regional, and for some aspects even local authorities. This geographic heterogeneity and governance complexity required the adoption of a multi-scalar approach to Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP). Such an approach aims at implementing decision-making and spatial planning at multiple and nested scales. In the case of Italy, the multi-scalar approach included the definition of national guidelines and the development of three maritime spatial (MS) plans, one for each maritime area (Adriatic, Ionian and Central Mediterranean, and Tyrrhenian and Western Mediterranean), including subareas and nested planning units. The development of the MS plans involved competent Ministries, the coastal Regions and several researchers. Based on the description of the adopted six-phase methodology and the exemplification of results of the Italian MSP process, this paper discusses the most relevant features and common challenges of multi-scalar MSP (i.e. co-planning, vertical and horizontal integration, multi-level governance, scalability, flexibility, integration of data and knowledge with different resolution, multi-scalar stakeholder engagement). Finally, the paper reflects on some novel aspects of the adopted multi-scalar approach and identifies actions to grant efficacy to this approach during the next phases of the Italian MSP process.

Identifying ecologically valuable marine areas to support conservation and spatial planning at scales relevant for decision making

In 2008, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity introduced the scientific-technical concept of describing Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs). These areas are defined as locations with exceptional ecological or biological characteristics. While EBSAs have been identified across the world´s oceans, they mainly have not been designated at scales relevant for conservation or area-based planning, where decisions are implemented. Here, we describe how the EBSA concept can be applied locally to identify “national EBSAs”. We present the process and criteria that were used in Finland to delineate 87 Ecologically Significant Underwater Marine Areas (EMMAs). This was accomplished by participatory approaches, expert knowledge, and spatial prioritization, based on a spatially explicit dataset on marine species and habitats from 160,000 sites, together with environmental drivers and anthropogenic pressures. The spatial scale of EMMAs was tailored to fit national and local decision-making, contributing to maritime spatial planning, environmental permitting, and the development of marine protected area network. We describe the Finnish EMMA process, highlight critical phases of the work using practical examples and discuss the importance of scales in assessing ecologically and biologically significant areas in different types of marine environments.

Maritime spatial plans as an object of the right of access to information

This paper examines maritime spatial planning (MSP) from the perspective of transboundary interaction in the context of the public right of access to environmental information while considering digitisation possibilities. In addition to a theoretical approach, the paper contains an empirical part. The paper presents the background characterising the genesis of MSP in the European Union and its transboundary nature. Following a literature review, the paper offers a characterisation of the right of access to environmental information in the context of MSP transboundary interaction. The empirical part clarifies the availability of basic MSP documentation, namely maritime spatial plans, their cartographic format, and strategic environmental assessments in practice, based partly on communication with the national MSP authorities of the European Union’s coastal Member States. The main finding relates to the need to look for approaches offered in the framework of the paper to ensure the digital distribution of basic official MSP information in the context of transboundary interaction in line with the right of access to environmental information in the pertinent legislation and soft law instruments at the international, regional and national levels.

Offshore wind power around the Iberian Peninsula: variability, complementarity and added value for the power system

The advances in floating offshore wind energy are opening deep sea areas, like the coastal waters of Iberian Peninsula (IP), for the installation of wind farms. The integration of this new energy source in a semi-closed power system with an already high share of variable renewable energies would be facilitated if the potential contribution of offshore wind energy shows reduced variability and limited seasonal variations, as the power demand in IP shows two maxima in winter and summer. The aims of this study are the analysis of temporal variability and spatial complementarity of the potential installation sites, and the identification of an optimal combination of installation areas that minimizes the temporal variability of the aggregated offshore contribution. In order to better capture the marked mesoscale features of winds around the IP, wind data from a very high resolution reanalysis (COSMO-REA6) are used. The analysis considers allowed areas for installation, delimited by the maritime spatial planning. Northern coast areas are characterized by high capacity factors (CFs) and high seasonality, while the lower CFs at the western and southern coasts are compensated by a limited seasonality. Pairwise correlation between the potential areas shows outstanding results, with several negative correlation values within a synoptic scale region, in contrast to other mid-latitude regions like the North Sea or the Eastern USA coast. An optimal aggregation of areas includes at least one area at each of the four main Iberian coasts. A strong reduction of hourly variability is obtained through the resulting combinations, and the seasonality of the aggregated CF is clearly below the values for other offshore areas. Therefore, offshore wind energy can indeed offer an added value for the Iberian power system beyond the high resource amount, reducing the need for storage or backup plants.

Managing marine resources sustainably – Ecological, societal and governance connectivity, coherence and equivalence in complex marine transboundary regions

This overview proposes a novel typology of characteristics required to ensure that marine assessment and management is connected, coherent and/or equivalent across boundaries, both within or between national and international jurisdictions. This defines the types of connectivity, coherence nature and equivalences with their relevance and examples in a marine transboundary context. It indicates the way of identifying impediments to be addressed to ensure that the management across marine boundaries is sustainable and adequate, and it also gives examples of the way of overcoming those barriers. The typology covers natural environmental, governance (policies, politics, administration and legislation), economic and management regimes. It encompasses sector (e.g. fishing, navigation, etc.) and their activity-, pressures-, effects- and management response-footprints and Maritime Spatial Planning and Marine Protected Area-designation. This links monitoring, assessment and reporting across boundaries and within the physico-chemical and ecological realms and in marine conservation across boundaries. Finally, it shows connectivity, coherence and equivalence should reflect wider societal and cultural aspects as well as governance approaches, principles and outcomes in adjacent countries (States) and regions. These aspects are summarised by analysing the so-called 10-tenets for sustainable and successful marine management. Although this typology is developed largely from a European and North America perspective, it is proposed here for validating with examples in other areas worldwide.

Marine spatial planning for connectivity and conservation through ecological corridors between marine protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures

Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) promotes the sustainable human activities development and uses in the marine space, playing a role in their effective management. The enhancement of connectivity is crucial for the conservation of biodiversity and landscape planning. Ecological Corridors (ECs) are an important type of connectivity for biodiversity conservation in fragmented habitats. The EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 includes ECs into the network of protected areas and allows for the creation of additional protected areas. MSP studies considering ECs remain still lacking, especially for the design of networks between Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs). In this paper, knowledge, and tools for investigating marine ECs were reviewed, with a systematic bibliometric analysis to summarize the current scientific research. Previous studies integrating ecological connectivity into planning for marine conservation have focused on models of larval dispersal, adult movements, and dispersal of single species by using benthic habitat proxies. Few studies were found on ECs in marine environments: in the coral Caribbean reef systems in the Gulf of Mexico; within benthic habitats along the Pacific coast of Canada; between MPAs in British Columbia (Canada); and by analyzing migratory species in the Yangtze estuary (China). Commonly used approaches to project and map ECs in marine environments are least-cost and circuit theories allowing to incorporate movement with cost or resistance to movement, depending on species and preferred habitats. The systematic bibliometric analysis returned 25 studies, most of which were from North America (40%) and European countries (36%) and the largest share of papers (68%) from 2018 to 2022. This review pinpointed the need of integrating different disciplines to investigate connectivity and the need by policymakers and practitioners to recognize the importance of ecological connectivity, even there are significant challenges for integrating connectivity into policies, planning, and conservation.