1
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Gill DA, Lester SE, Free CM, Pfaff A, Iversen E, Reich BJ, Yang S, Ahmadia G, Andradi-Brown DA, Darling ES, Edgar GJ, Fox HE, Geldmann J, Trung Le D, Mascia MB, Mesa-Gutiérrez R, Mumby PJ, Veverka L, Warmuth LM. A diverse portfolio of marine protected areas can better advance global conservation and equity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2313205121. [PMID: 38408235 PMCID: PMC10927568 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2313205121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are widely used for ocean conservation, yet the relative impacts of various types of MPAs are poorly understood. We estimated impacts on fish biomass from no-take and multiple-use (fished) MPAs, employing a rigorous matched counterfactual design with a global dataset of >14,000 surveys in and around 216 MPAs. Both no-take and multiple-use MPAs generated positive conservation outcomes relative to no protection (58.2% and 12.6% fish biomass increases, respectively), with smaller estimated differences between the two MPA types when controlling for additional confounding factors (8.3% increase). Relative performance depended on context and management: no-take MPAs performed better in areas of high human pressure but similar to multiple-use in remote locations. Multiple-use MPA performance was low in high-pressure areas but improved significantly with better management, producing similar outcomes to no-take MPAs when adequately staffed and appropriate use regulations were applied. For priority conservation areas where no-take restrictions are not possible or ethical, our findings show that a portfolio of well-designed and well-managed multiple-use MPAs represents a viable and potentially equitable pathway to advance local and global conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Gill
- Duke Marine Laboratory, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Beaufort, NC28516
| | - Sarah E. Lester
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL32306
| | - Christopher M. Free
- Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA93117
- Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA93117
| | - Alexander Pfaff
- Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC27708
| | - Edwin Iversen
- Department of Statistical Science, Duke University, Durham, NC27708
| | - Brian J. Reich
- Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC27695
| | - Shu Yang
- Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC27695
| | - Gabby Ahmadia
- Ocean Conservation, World Wildlife Fund, Washington, DC20037
| | | | | | - Graham J. Edgar
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS7001, Australia
- Reef Life Survey Foundation, Battery Point, TAS7000, Australia
| | | | - Jonas Geldmann
- Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen2100, Denmark
| | - Duong Trung Le
- Duke Marine Laboratory, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Beaufort, NC28516
- World Bank, Washington, DC20006
| | - Michael B. Mascia
- Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC27708
- Moore Center for Science, Conservation International, Arlington, VA22202
| | - Roosevelt Mesa-Gutiérrez
- Duke Marine Laboratory, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Beaufort, NC28516
- Integrated Statistics Inc. in support of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Protected Resources Division, Gloucester, MA01930
| | - Peter J. Mumby
- Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD4072, Australia
| | - Laura Veverka
- Ocean Conservation, World Wildlife Fund, Washington, DC20037
| | - Laura M. Warmuth
- Duke Marine Laboratory, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Beaufort, NC28516
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, OxfordOX1 3SZ, United Kingdom
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2
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Ban NC, Darling ES, Gurney GG, Friedman W, Jupiter SD, Lestari WP, Yulianto I, Pardede S, Tarigan SAR, Prihatiningsih P, Mangubhai S, Naisilisili W, Dulunaqio S, Naggea J, Ranaivoson R, Agostini VN, Ahmadia G, Blythe J, Campbell SJ, Claudet J, Cox C, Epstein G, Estradivari, Fox M, Gill D, Himes-Cornell A, Jonas H, Mcleod E, Muthiga NA, McClanahan T. Effects of management objectives and rules on marine conservation outcomes. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2023; 37:e14156. [PMID: 37728514 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the relative effectiveness and enabling conditions of different area-based management tools is essential for supporting efforts that achieve positive biodiversity outcomes as area-based conservation coverage increases to meet newly set international targets. We used data from a coastal social-ecological monitoring program in 6 Indo-Pacific countries to analyze whether social, ecological, and economic objectives and specific management rules (temporal closures, fishing gear-specific, species-specific restrictions) were associated with coral reef fish biomass above sustainable yield levels across different types of area-based management tools (i.e., comparing those designated as marine protected areas [MPAs] with other types of area-based management). All categories of objectives, multiple combinations of rules, and all types of area-based management had some sites that were able to sustain high levels of reef fish biomass-a key measure for coral reef functioning-compared with reference sites with no area-based management. Yet, the same management types also had sites with low biomass. As governments advance their commitments to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the target to conserve 30% of the planet's land and oceans by 2030, we found that although different types of management can be effective, most of the managed areas in our study regions did not meet criteria for effectiveness. These findings underscore the importance of strong management and governance of managed areas and the need to measure the ecological impact of area-based management rather than counting areas because of their designation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie C Ban
- School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Emily S Darling
- Marine Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Georgina G Gurney
- College of Arts, Society and Education, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Whitney Friedman
- National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Stacy D Jupiter
- Melanesia Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Suva, Fiji
| | - W Peni Lestari
- Indonesia Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bogor, Indonesia
| | - Irfan Yulianto
- Indonesia Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bogor, Indonesia
| | - Sinta Pardede
- Indonesia Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bogor, Indonesia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Josheena Naggea
- Emmett Interdisciplinary Program in Environment and Resources, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Ravaka Ranaivoson
- Madagascar Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Vera N Agostini
- Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy
| | - Gabby Ahmadia
- Oceans Conservation, World Wildlife Fund, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jessica Blythe
- Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Joachim Claudet
- National Center for Scientific Research, PSL Université Paris, CRIOBE, Paris, France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL, Moorea, French Polynesia
| | | | - Graham Epstein
- School of Politics, Security and International Affairs and Sustainable Coastal System Cluster, National Center for Integrated Coastal Research, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
- School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Estradivari
- Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology (ZMT), Bremen, Germany
- Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry (FB2), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | | | - David Gill
- Duke University Marine Laboratory Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Beaufort, North Carolina, USA
| | - Amber Himes-Cornell
- Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy
| | - Harry Jonas
- Conservation Areas, World Wildlife Fund, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | | | - Tim McClanahan
- Global Marine Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York, USA
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3
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Pulido-Chadid K, Virtanen E, Geldmann J. How effective are protected areas for reducing threats to biodiversity? A systematic review protocol. ENVIRONMENTAL EVIDENCE 2023; 12:18. [PMID: 39294743 PMCID: PMC11378842 DOI: 10.1186/s13750-023-00311-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Protected areas (PAs) have become one of the most important instruments to preserve nature and, when effective, can significantly reduce human pressure and derived threats to biodiversity. However, evidence suggests that despite the growing number and coverage of PAs worldwide, biodiversity trends continue to deteriorate, and human pressure increases outside and inside PAs. While many studies have focused on the effectiveness of PAs in maintaining ecological features, less attention has been given to the threat reduction potential of PAs, despite threats being one of the main factors leading to the need to conserve biodiversity. It is therefore essential to understand PAs' role in addressing threats. In this paper, we describe the protocol for conducting a systematic review to explore and review the evidence surrounding the effectiveness of PAs as an intervention to reduce threats to biodiversity. We will examine the role of PAs in addressing several types of threats. Thus, our primary research question is: How effective are protected areas for reducing threats to biodiversity? METHODS This protocol follows the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence guidelines for evidence synthesis and complies with the ROSES (Reporting Standards for Systematic Evidence Synthesis) reporting framework. We will use a comprehensive search, covering databases such as Web of Science-core collection and Scopus and organizational websites to capture relevant grey literature. Our search terms and strategies aim to find studies assessing change of threats given in PAs at any scale and ecosystem type capturing literature in English. Independent reviewers will screen search results at the title-abstract, and full text levels. In order to evaluate the relevance of the evidence, we will use the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence Critical Appraisal Tool. The results will be presented as a narrative synthesis supported by quantitative data. Additionally, a meta-analysis, if possible, will be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Pulido-Chadid
- Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Elina Virtanen
- Finnish Natural History Museum, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Finnish Environment Institute, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jonas Geldmann
- Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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4
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Fidler RY, Ahmadia GN, Amkieltiela, Awaludinnoer, Cox C, Estradivari, Glew L, Handayani C, Mahajan SL, Mascia MB, Pakiding F, Andradi-Brown DA, Campbell SJ, Claborn K, De Nardo M, Fox HE, Gill D, Hidayat NI, Jakub R, Le DT, Purwanto, Valdivia A, Harborne AR. Participation, not penalties: Community involvement and equitable governance contribute to more effective multiuse protected areas. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabl8929. [PMID: 35507668 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abl8929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Accelerating ecosystem degradation has spurred proposals to vastly expand the extent of protected areas (PAs), potentially affecting the livelihoods and well-being of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) worldwide. The benefits of multiuse PAs that elevate the role of IPLCs in management have long been recognized. However, quantitative examinations of how resource governance and the distribution of management rights affect conservation outcomes are vital for long-term sustainability. Here, we use a long-term, quasi-experimental monitoring dataset from four Indonesian marine PAs that demonstrates that multiuse PAs can increase fish biomass, but incorporating multiple governance principles into management regimes and enforcing rules equitably are critical to achieve ecological benefits. Furthermore, we show that PAs predicated primarily on enforcing penalties can be less effective than those where IPLCs have the capacity to engage in management. Our results suggest that well-governed multiuse PAs can achieve conservation objectives without undermining the rights of IPLCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Y Fidler
- Institute of Environment and Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st St., North Miami, FL 33181, USA
| | - Gabby N Ahmadia
- Ocean Conservation, World Wildlife Fund US, 1250 24th St NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Amkieltiela
- World Wildlife Fund Indonesia, Gedung Graha Simatupang Tower 2C Lantai 7, Jl. Letjen TB Simatupang kav.38, South Jakarta, Indonesia
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200E, Leuven, Belgium
- Yayasan PADMI Mandiri, Graha Mampang Lantai 3 Suite 305, Jl. Mampang Prapatan Raya Kav 100, South Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Awaludinnoer
- The Nature Conservancy Indonesia, Graha Iskandarsyah 3rd Floor Jl. Iskandarsyah Raya No. 66C Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Courtney Cox
- Rare US, 1030 N Courthouse Rd., Suite 110, Arlington, VA 22201, USA
| | - Estradivari
- World Wildlife Fund Indonesia, Gedung Graha Simatupang Tower 2C Lantai 7, Jl. Letjen TB Simatupang kav.38, South Jakarta, Indonesia
- Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT), Fahrenheitstraße 6, 28359 Bremen, Germany
- Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry (FB2), University of Bremen, Bibliothekstraße 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Louise Glew
- Global Science, World Wildlife Fund US, 1250 24th St. NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Christian Handayani
- World Wildlife Fund Indonesia, Gedung Graha Simatupang Tower 2C Lantai 7, Jl. Letjen TB Simatupang kav.38, South Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Shauna L Mahajan
- Global Science, World Wildlife Fund US, 1250 24th St. NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Michael B Mascia
- Conservation International, 2011 Crystal Dr., Suite 600, Arlington, VA 22202, USA
| | - Fitryanti Pakiding
- University of Papua, Jl. Gunung Salju, Amban, Manokwari 98314, West Papua, Indonesia
| | | | - Stuart J Campbell
- Rare Indonesia, Jl. Gunung Gede I No. 6, Bogor 16153, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Kelly Claborn
- Global Science, World Wildlife Fund US, 1250 24th St. NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, 900 S. Cady Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Matheus De Nardo
- Global Science, World Wildlife Fund US, 1250 24th St. NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Helen E Fox
- Coral Reef Alliance, 1330 Broadway, Suite 600, Oakland, CA 94612, USA
| | - David Gill
- Duke University Marine Laboratory, 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd., Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
| | - Nur I Hidayat
- Conservation International Indonesia, Jl. Pejaten Barat No. 16 A, Kemang, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Raymond Jakub
- Rare Indonesia, Jl. Gunung Gede I No. 6, Bogor 16153, West Java, Indonesia
| | - Duong T Le
- Duke University Marine Laboratory, 135 Duke Marine Lab Rd., Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
- The World Bank, 1818 H Street, Washington, DC 20433, USA
| | - Purwanto
- University of Papua, Jl. Gunung Salju, Amban, Manokwari 98314, West Papua, Indonesia
- Coral Triangle Center, Jl. Betngandang II No. 88-89, Sanur 80228, Bali, Indonesia
| | - Abel Valdivia
- Rare US, 1030 N Courthouse Rd., Suite 110, Arlington, VA 22201, USA
| | - Alastair R Harborne
- Institute of Environment and Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st St., North Miami, FL 33181, USA
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5
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He W, Nabangchang O, Erdman K, Vanko ACA, Poudel P, Giri C, Vincent JR. Inferring Economic Impacts from a Program's Physical Outcomes: An Application to Forest Protection in Thailand. ENVIRONMENTAL & RESOURCE ECONOMICS 2022; 84:845-876. [PMID: 36875263 PMCID: PMC9974697 DOI: 10.1007/s10640-021-00644-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Economists typically estimate the average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) when evaluating government programs. The economic interpretation of the ATT can be ambiguous when program outcomes are measured in purely physical terms, as they often are in evaluations of environmental programs (e.g., avoided deforestation). This paper presents an approach for inferring economic impacts from physical outcomes when the ATT is estimated using propensity-score matching. For the case of forest protection, we show that a protection program's ex post economic impact, as perceived by the government agency responsible for protection decisions, can be proxied by a weighted ATT, with the weights derived from the propensity of being treated (i.e., protected). We apply this new metric to mangrove protection in Thailand during 1987-2000. We find that the government's protection program avoided the loss of 12.8% of the economic value associated with the protected mangrove area. This estimate is about a quarter smaller than the conventional ATT for avoided deforestation, 17.3 percentage points. The difference between the two measures indicates that the program tended to be less effective at reducing deforestation in locations where the government perceived the net benefits of protection as being greater, which is the opposite of the relationship that would characterize a maximally effective program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wumeng He
- Economics and Management School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei China
| | - Orapan Nabangchang
- School of Economics, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Pakkret Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Krista Erdman
- South Dakota Department of Agriculture, Pierre, SD USA
| | | | - Prapti Poudel
- College of Natural Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | - Chandra Giri
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Durham, NC USA
| | - Jeffrey R. Vincent
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708 USA
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6
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Grorud-Colvert K, Sullivan-Stack J, Roberts C, Constant V, Horta E Costa B, Pike EP, Kingston N, Laffoley D, Sala E, Claudet J, Friedlander AM, Gill DA, Lester SE, Day JC, Gonçalves EJ, Ahmadia GN, Rand M, Villagomez A, Ban NC, Gurney GG, Spalding AK, Bennett NJ, Briggs J, Morgan LE, Moffitt R, Deguignet M, Pikitch EK, Darling ES, Jessen S, Hameed SO, Di Carlo G, Guidetti P, Harris JM, Torre J, Kizilkaya Z, Agardy T, Cury P, Shah NJ, Sack K, Cao L, Fernandez M, Lubchenco J. The MPA Guide: A framework to achieve global goals for the ocean. Science 2021; 373:eabf0861. [PMID: 34516798 DOI: 10.1126/science.abf0861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Grorud-Colvert
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, 3029 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, OR, USA.,Marine Conservation Institute, Seattle, WA 98103, USA
| | - Jenna Sullivan-Stack
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, 3029 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Callum Roberts
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Vanessa Constant
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, 3029 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Barbara Horta E Costa
- Center of Marine Sciences, CCMAR, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, 8005-139, Portugal.,School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Elizabeth P Pike
- Marine Protection Atlas, Marine Conservation Institute, Seattle, WA, 98103-9090, USA.,Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Washington, DC 20004-2008, USA
| | - Naomi Kingston
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, 3029 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, OR, USA.,UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Dan Laffoley
- IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland.,School of Public Policy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA
| | - Enric Sala
- National Geographic Society, Washington, DC, USA.,Department of Geography, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-2190, USA
| | - Joachim Claudet
- National Center for Scientific Research, PSL Université Paris, CRIOBE, USR 3278 CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, Maison des Océans, 75005 Paris, France.,Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10460, USA
| | - Alan M Friedlander
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii, Kāne'ohe, HI 96744, USA.,Pristine Seas, National Geography Society, Washington, DC 20036, USA
| | - David A Gill
- Duke University Marine Laboratory, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
| | - Sarah E Lester
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, 3029 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, OR, USA.,Department of Geography, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-2190, USA
| | - Jon C Day
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Emanuel J Gonçalves
- Pristine Seas, National Geography Society, Washington, DC 20036, USA.,Duke University Marine Laboratory, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA.,Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE), ISPA-Instituto Universitário, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal.,Oceano Azul Foundation, Oceanário de Lisboa, Esplanada D. Carlos I,1990-005 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Gabby N Ahmadia
- Ocean Conservation, World Wildlife Fund, Washington, DC 20037, USA.,School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Matt Rand
- IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland.,Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Washington, DC 20004-2008, USA
| | - Angelo Villagomez
- IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland.,Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Washington, DC 20004-2008, USA
| | - Natalie C Ban
- UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK.,School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Georgina G Gurney
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Ana K Spalding
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville QLD 4811, Australia.,Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE), ISPA-Instituto Universitário, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal.,School of Public Policy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA.,Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Panama; Coiba Scientific Station (Coiba AIP), Panama City, Panama.,Marine Conservation Institute, Seattle, WA 98103, USA
| | - Nathan J Bennett
- National Center for Scientific Research, PSL Université Paris, CRIOBE, USR 3278 CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, Maison des Océans, 75005 Paris, France.,The Peopled Seas Initiative, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Johnny Briggs
- Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Washington, DC 20004-2008, USA
| | | | - Russell Moffitt
- Marine Protection Atlas, Marine Conservation Institute, Seattle, WA, 98103-9090, USA.,Pew Bertarelli Ocean Legacy Project, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Washington, DC 20004-2008, USA
| | - Marine Deguignet
- UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ellen K Pikitch
- National Geographic Society, Washington, DC, USA.,School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Emily S Darling
- School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada.,Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10460, USA
| | - Sabine Jessen
- Marine Protection Atlas, Marine Conservation Institute, Seattle, WA, 98103-9090, USA.,National Ocean Program, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Ottawa, ON K2P 0A4, Canada
| | - Sarah O Hameed
- The Peopled Seas Initiative, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Blue Parks Program, Marine Conservation Institute, Seattle, WA 98103, USA
| | | | - Paolo Guidetti
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica A. Dohrn-National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy.,National Research Council, Institute for the Study of Anthropic Impact and Sustainability in the Marine Environment (CNR-IAS), V16149 Genoa, Italy
| | - Jean M Harris
- Institute for Coastal and Marine Research (CMR), Nelson Mandela University, Gomeroy Avenue, Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth 6031, South Africa
| | - Jorge Torre
- Comunidad y Biodiversidad, A.C. Isla del Peruano 215, Col. Lomas de Miramar, Guaymas, Sonora, 85454, Mexico
| | - Zafer Kizilkaya
- Mediterranean Conservation Society, Bornova, Izmir 35100 Turkey
| | - Tundi Agardy
- Oceano Azul Foundation, Oceanário de Lisboa, Esplanada D. Carlos I,1990-005 Lisbon, Portugal.,Sound Seas, Colrain, MA 01340, USA
| | - Philippe Cury
- Center of Marine Sciences, CCMAR, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, 8005-139, Portugal.,MARBEC, Montpellier University, CNRS, IRD, IFREMER, Sète, France
| | - Nirmal J Shah
- School of Public Policy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA.,Nature Seychelles, Centre for Environment and Education, Sanctuary at Roche Caiman, Mahe, Seychelles
| | - Karen Sack
- Ocean Conservation, World Wildlife Fund, Washington, DC 20037, USA.,Ocean Unite, Washington, DC 20007, USA
| | - Ling Cao
- School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 230000, China
| | - Miriam Fernandez
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Panama; Coiba Scientific Station (Coiba AIP), Panama City, Panama.,Estación Costera de Investigaciones Marinas de Las Cruces and Departmento de Ecología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jane Lubchenco
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, 3029 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, OR, USA.,Marine Conservation Institute, Seattle, WA 98103, USA
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7
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Pressey RL, Visconti P, McKinnon MC, Gurney GG, Barnes MD, Glew L, Maron M. The mismeasure of conservation. Trends Ecol Evol 2021; 36:808-821. [PMID: 34303527 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2021.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
One of the basic purposes of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation interventions is to achieve conservation impact, the sum of avoided biodiversity loss and promoted recovery relative to outcomes without protection. In the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity's negotiations on the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, we find that targets for area-based interventions are framed overwhelmingly with measures that fail to inform decision-makers about impact and that risk diverting limited resources away from achieving it. We show that predicting impact in space and time is feasible and can provide the basis for global guidance for jurisdictions to develop targets for conservation impact and shift investment priorities to areas where impact can be most effectively achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L Pressey
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia.
| | - Piero Visconti
- International Institute for Applied System Analysis, Laxenburg, Austria
| | | | - Georgina G Gurney
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Megan D Barnes
- Centre for Environmental Economics and Policy, School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | | | - Martine Maron
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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8
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Knott NA, Williams J, Harasti D, Malcolm HA, Coleman MA, Kelaher BP, Rees MJ, Schultz A, Jordan A. A coherent, representative, and bioregional marine reserve network shows consistent change in rocky reef fish assemblages. Ecosphere 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- N. A. Knott
- Fisheries Research NSW Department of Primary Industries Huskisson New South Wales2540Australia
| | - J. Williams
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries Port Stephens Fisheries Institute Taylors Beach Road Taylors Beach New South Wales2316Australia
| | - D. Harasti
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries Port Stephens Fisheries Institute Taylors Beach Road Taylors Beach New South Wales2316Australia
| | - H. A. Malcolm
- Fisheries Research NSW Department of Primary Industries Coffs Harbour New South Wales2800Australia
| | - M. A. Coleman
- Fisheries Research NSW Department of Primary Industries Coffs Harbour New South Wales2800Australia
| | - B. P. Kelaher
- National Marine Science Centre and Marine Ecology Research Centre Southern Cross University Coffs Harbour New South Wales2450Australia
| | - M. J. Rees
- Fisheries Research NSW Department of Primary Industries Huskisson New South Wales2540Australia
| | - A. Schultz
- Fisheries Research NSW Department of Primary Industries Coffs Harbour New South Wales2800Australia
| | - A. Jordan
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries Port Stephens Fisheries Institute Taylors Beach Road Taylors Beach New South Wales2316Australia
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9
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Keith DM, Sameoto JA, Keyser FM, Ward-Paige CA. Evaluating socio-economic and conservation impacts of management: A case study of time-area closures on Georges Bank. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240322. [PMID: 33048972 PMCID: PMC7553282 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, economies and marine ecosystems are increasingly dependent on sustainable fisheries management (SFM) to balance social, economic, and conservation needs. The overarching objectives of SFM are to maximize both conservation and socio-economic benefits, while minimizing short-term socio-economic costs. A number of tools have been developed to achieve SFM objectives, ranging from fishery specific to ecosystem-based strategies. Closures are a common SFM tool used to balance the trade-off between socio-economic and conservation considerations; they vary in scope from small-scale temporary closures to large-scale permanent networks. Unfortunately, closures are frequently implemented without a plan for monitoring or assessing whether SFM objectives are met. In situations in which a monitoring plan is not in place we propose that commonly available fishery data can often be used to evaluate whether management tools are effective in meeting SFM objectives. Here, we present a case study of closures on Georges Bank that shows how fishery data can be analyzed to perform such an assessment. Since 2006, on the Canadian side of Georges Bank, seasonal scallop fishery closures have been implemented with the aim of reducing by-catch of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and yellowtail flounder (Pleuronectes ferruginea) during spawning. In lieu of data from a dedicated monitoring program, we analyzed data from Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), fishery logbooks, and a scallop survey to assess the impact of these closures on the scallop fishery, and use observer data (i.e. by-catch) to assess the effectiveness of these closures in meeting their conservation objective. While compliance for these time-area closures was high, the closures did not significantly displace fishing activity and overall there was limited evidence of an impact on the scallop fishery. Further, the discard rates for both cod and yellowtail were above average when their respective closures were active. These results suggest that improvements to the closures design and/or other measures may be required to achieve the desired SFM objectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M. Keith
- Population Ecology Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Jessica A. Sameoto
- Population Ecology Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Freya M. Keyser
- Population Ecology Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
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10
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McDonald G, Wilson M, Veríssimo D, Twohey R, Clemence M, Apistar D, Box S, Butler P, Cadiz FC, Campbell SJ, Cox C, Effron M, Gaines S, Jakub R, Mancao RH, Rojas PT, Tirona RS, Vianna G. Catalyzing sustainable fisheries management through behavior change interventions. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2020; 34:1176-1189. [PMID: 32011772 PMCID: PMC7540413 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Small-scale fisheries are an important livelihood and primary protein source for coastal communities in many of the poorest regions in the world, yet many are overfished and thus require effective and scalable management solutions. Positive ecological and socioeconomic responses to management typically lag behind immediate costs borne by fishers from fishing pressure reductions necessary for fisheries recovery. These short-term costs challenge the long-term success of these interventions. However, social marketing may increase perceptions of management benefits before ecological and socioeconomic benefits are fully realized, driving new social norms and ultimately long-term sustainable behavior change. By conducting underwater visual surveys to quantify ecological conditions and by conducting household surveys with community members to quantify their perceptions of management support and socioeconomic conditions, we assessed the impact of a standardized small-scale fisheries management intervention that was implemented across 41 sites in Brazil, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The intervention combines TURF reserves (community-based territorial use rights for fishing coupled with no-take marine reserves) with locally tailored social-marketing behavior change campaigns. Leveraging data across 22 indicators and 4 survey types, along with data from 3 control sites, we found that ecological and socioeconomic impacts varied and that communities supported the intervention and were already changing their fishing practices. These results suggest that communities were developing new social norms and fishing more sustainably before long-term ecological and socioeconomic benefits of fisheries management materialized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin McDonald
- Marine Science Institute, Santa Barbara – Marine Science BuildingUniversity of CaliforniaSanta BarbaraCA93106U.S.A.
- Bren School of Environmental Science & ManagementUniversity of CaliforniaSanta Barbara – 2400 Bren HallSanta BarbaraCA93106U.S.A.
| | - Molly Wilson
- Bren School of Environmental Science & ManagementUniversity of CaliforniaSanta Barbara – 2400 Bren HallSanta BarbaraCA93106U.S.A.
| | - Diogo Veríssimo
- Department of Zoology, Oxford Martin SchoolUniversity of Oxford34 Broad StOxfordOX1 3BDU.K.
| | - Rebecca Twohey
- Coral Reef Alliance1330 Broadway #600OaklandCA94612U.S.A.
| | - Michaela Clemence
- Marine Science Institute, Santa Barbara – Marine Science BuildingUniversity of CaliforniaSanta BarbaraCA93106U.S.A.
- Bren School of Environmental Science & ManagementUniversity of CaliforniaSanta Barbara – 2400 Bren HallSanta BarbaraCA93106U.S.A.
| | - Dean Apistar
- Rare Philippines91–104 F. Ramos StCebu CityCebu6000Philippines
| | - Stephen Box
- Rare – 1310 N Courthouse Rd Suite 110ArlingtonVA22201U.S.A.
| | - Paul Butler
- Rare – 1310 N Courthouse Rd Suite 110ArlingtonVA22201U.S.A.
| | - Fel Cesar Cadiz
- Rare Philippines91–104 F. Ramos StCebu CityCebu6000Philippines
| | - Stuart J. Campbell
- Rare Indonesia – Jl. Gunung Gede I No.6RT.3/RW.4, Bantarjati, Bogor UtaraKota BogorJawa Barat16153Indonesia
| | - Courtney Cox
- Rare – 1310 N Courthouse Rd Suite 110ArlingtonVA22201U.S.A.
| | - Micah Effron
- Rare – 1310 N Courthouse Rd Suite 110ArlingtonVA22201U.S.A.
| | - Steve Gaines
- Bren School of Environmental Science & ManagementUniversity of CaliforniaSanta Barbara – 2400 Bren HallSanta BarbaraCA93106U.S.A.
| | - Raymond Jakub
- Rare Indonesia – Jl. Gunung Gede I No.6RT.3/RW.4, Bantarjati, Bogor UtaraKota BogorJawa Barat16153Indonesia
| | | | - Pablo T. Rojas
- Rare Philippines91–104 F. Ramos StCebu CityCebu6000Philippines
| | | | - Gabriel Vianna
- Rua Visconde de Pirajá177‐sala 801, IpanemaRio de JaneiroRJBrazil
- Current address: University of Western Australia35 Stirling HwyCrawleyWA6009Australia
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11
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Smallhorn‐West PF, Stone K, Ceccarelli DM, Malimali S, Halafihi T, Bridge TCL, Pressey RL, Jones GP. Community management yields positive impacts for coastal fisheries resources and biodiversity conservation. Conserv Lett 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick F. Smallhorn‐West
- Marine Biology and Aquaculture, College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
- WorldFish Jalan Batu Maung Bayan Lepas Penang Malaysia
| | - Karen Stone
- Vava'u Environmental Protection Association Neiafu Vava'u Tonga
| | - Daniela M. Ceccarelli
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
| | | | | | - Tom C. L. Bridge
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
- Biodiversity and Geosciences Program, Museum of Tropical Queensland Queensland Museum Network Townsville QLD Australia
| | - Robert L. Pressey
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
| | - Geoffrey P. Jones
- Marine Biology and Aquaculture, College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
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12
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Horta e Costa B, Angulo-Valdés J, Gonçalves JM, Barros P. Assessing potential protection effects on commercial fish species in a Cuban MPA. AQUACULTURE AND FISHERIES 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aaf.2020.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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13
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14
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Sacre E, Weeks R, Bode M, Pressey RL. The relative conservation impact of strategies that prioritize biodiversity representation, threats, and protection costs. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Edmond Sacre
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook University Townsville Australia
- Department of Aquatic Resources, Institute of Coastal ResearchSwedish University of Agricultural Sciences Öregrund Sweden
| | - Rebecca Weeks
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook University Townsville Australia
| | - Michael Bode
- School of Mathematical SciencesQueensland University of Technology Brisbane Australia
| | - Robert L. Pressey
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook University Townsville Australia
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15
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Kaplan-Hallam M, Bennett NJ. Adaptive social impact management for conservation and environmental management. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2018; 32:304-314. [PMID: 29063710 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Concerns about the social consequences of conservation have spurred increased attention the monitoring and evaluation of the social impacts of conservation projects. This has resulted in a growing body of research that demonstrates how conservation can produce both positive and negative social, economic, cultural, health, and governance consequences for local communities. Yet, the results of social monitoring efforts are seldom applied to adaptively manage conservation projects. Greater attention is needed to incorporating the results of social impact assessments in long-term conservation management to minimize negative social consequences and maximize social benefits. We bring together insights from social impact assessment, adaptive management, social learning, knowledge coproduction, cross-scale governance, and environmental planning to propose a definition and framework for adaptive social impact management (ASIM). We define ASIM as the cyclical process of monitoring and adaptively managing social impacts over the life-span of an initiative through the 4 stages of profiling, learning, planning, and implementing. We outline 14 steps associated with the 4 stages of the ASIM cycle and provide guidance and potential methods for social-indicator development, predictive assessments of social impacts, monitoring and evaluation, communication of results, and identification and prioritization of management responses. Successful ASIM will be aided by engaging with best practices - including local engagement and collaboration in the process, transparent communication of results to stakeholders, collective deliberation on and choice of interventions, documentation of shared learning at the site level, and the scaling up of insights to inform higher-level conservation policies-to increase accountability, trust, and perceived legitimacy among stakeholders. The ASIM process is broadly applicable to conservation, environmental management, and development initiatives at various scales and in different contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maery Kaplan-Hallam
- Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, 2202 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Nathan J Bennett
- Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, 2202 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, U.S.A
- Center for Ocean Solutions, Stanford University, Monterey, CA, U.S.A
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16
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Mascia MB, Fox HE, Glew L, Ahmadia GN, Agrawal A, Barnes M, Basurto X, Craigie I, Darling E, Geldmann J, Gill D, Holst Rice S, Jensen OP, Lester SE, McConney P, Mumby PJ, Nenadovic M, Parks JE, Pomeroy RS, White AT. A novel framework for analyzing conservation impacts: evaluation, theory, and marine protected areas. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2017; 1399:93-115. [PMID: 28719737 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2016] [Revised: 04/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Environmental conservation initiatives, including marine protected areas (MPAs), have proliferated in recent decades. Designed to conserve marine biodiversity, many MPAs also seek to foster sustainable development. As is the case for many other environmental policies and programs, the impacts of MPAs are poorly understood. Social-ecological systems, impact evaluation, and common-pool resource governance are three complementary scientific frameworks for documenting and explaining the ecological and social impacts of conservation interventions. We review key components of these three frameworks and their implications for the study of conservation policy, program, and project outcomes. Using MPAs as an illustrative example, we then draw upon these three frameworks to describe an integrated approach for rigorous empirical documentation and causal explanation of conservation impacts. This integrated three-framework approach for impact evaluation of governance in social-ecological systems (3FIGS) accounts for alternative explanations, builds upon and advances social theory, and provides novel policy insights in ways that no single approach affords. Despite the inherent complexity of social-ecological systems and the difficulty of causal inference, the 3FIGS approach can dramatically advance our understanding of, and the evidentiary basis for, effective MPAs and other conservation initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael B Mascia
- Betty and Gordon Moore Center for Science, Conservation International, Arlington, Virginia
| | | | | | | | - Arun Agrawal
- School of Natural Resources & Environment, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Megan Barnes
- Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii.,Centre for Excellence in Environmental Decisions, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Xavier Basurto
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Beaufort, North Carolina
| | - Ian Craigie
- ARC Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Emily Darling
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Marine Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York
| | - Jonas Geldmann
- Conservation Science Group, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; and Center for Macroecology, Evolution, and Climate, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David Gill
- National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC), Annapolis, Maryland.,Luc Hoffmann Institute, WWF International, Gland, Switzerland
| | - Susie Holst Rice
- Coral Reef Conservation Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland
| | - Olaf P Jensen
- Institute of Marine & Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Sarah E Lester
- Department of Geography, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
| | - Patrick McConney
- Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES), University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados
| | - Peter J Mumby
- Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mateja Nenadovic
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Beaufort, North Carolina
| | | | - Robert S Pomeroy
- Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Connecticut-Avery Point, Groton, Connecticut
| | - Alan T White
- Asia-Pacific Program, The Nature Conservancy, Honolulu, Hawaii
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17
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Abstract
Coral reefs are severely threatened and a principal strategy for their conservation is marine protected areas (MPAs). However the drivers of MPA performance are complex and there are likely to be trade-offs between different types of performance (e.g. conservation or welfare related outcomes). We compiled a global dataset from expert knowledge for 76 coral reef MPAs in 33 countries and identified a set of performance measures reflecting ecological and socio-economic outcomes, achievement of aims and reduction of threats, using spatial or temporal comparisons wherever possible. We wanted to test the extent to which distinct types of performance occurred simultaneously, understood as win-win outcomes. Although certain performance measures were correlated, most were not, suggesting trade-offs that limit the usefulness of composite performance scores. Hypotheses were generated as to the impact of MPA features, aims, location, management and contextual variables on MPA performance from the literature. A multivariate analysis was used to test hypotheses as to the relative importance of these "drivers" on eight uncorrelated performance measures. The analysis supported some hypotheses (e.g. benefit provision for the local community improved performance), but not others (e.g. higher overall budget and more research activity did not). Factors endogenous to the MPA (such as size of the no-take area) were generally more significant drivers of performance than exogenous ones (such as national GDP). Different types of performance were associated with different drivers, exposing the trade-offs inherent in management decisions. The study suggests that managers are able to influence MPA performance in spite of external threats and could inform adaptive management by providing an approach to test for the effects of MPA features and management actions in different contexts and so to inform decisions for allocation of effort or funds to achieve specific goals.
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18
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Capacity shortfalls hinder the performance of marine protected areas globally. Nature 2017; 543:665-669. [DOI: 10.1038/nature21708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 467] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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19
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Pressey RL, Visconti P, Ferraro PJ. Making parks make a difference: poor alignment of policy, planning and management with protected-area impact, and ways forward. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2016; 370:rstb.2014.0280. [PMID: 26460132 PMCID: PMC4614736 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2014.0280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Policy and practice around protected areas are poorly aligned with the basic purpose of protection, which is to make a difference. The difference made by protected areas is their impact, defined in program evaluation as the outcomes arising from protection relative to the counterfactual of no protection or a different form of protection. Although impact evaluation of programs is well established in fields such as medicine, education and development aid, it is rare in nature conservation. We show that the present weak alignment with impact of policy targets and operational objectives for protected areas involves a great risk: targets and objectives can be achieved while making little difference to the conservation of biodiversity. We also review potential ways of increasing the difference made by protected areas, finding a poor evidence base for the use of planning and management ‘levers’ to better achieve impact. We propose a dual strategy for making protected areas more effective in their basic role of saving nature, outlining ways of developing targets and objectives focused on impact while also improving the evidence for effective planning and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L Pressey
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Piero Visconti
- Microsoft Research, Computational Science Laboratory, 21 Station Road, Cambridge CB1 2FB, UK
| | - Paul J Ferraro
- Carey School of Business and Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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20
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Ferraro PJ, Pressey RL. Measuring the difference made by conservation initiatives: protected areas and their environmental and social impacts. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2016; 370:rstb.2014.0270. [PMID: 26460123 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2014.0270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Success in conservation depends on our ability to reduce human pressures in areas that harbour biological diversity and ecosystem services. Legally protecting some of these areas through the creation of protected areas is a key component of conservation efforts globally. To develop effective protected area networks, practitioners need credible, scientific evidence about the degree to which protected areas affect environmental and social outcomes, and how these effects vary with context. Such evidence has been lacking, but the situation is changing as conservation scientists adopt more sophisticated research designs for evaluating protected areas' past impacts and for predicting their future impacts. Complementing these scientific advances, conservation funders and practitioners are paying increasing attention to evaluating their investments with more scientifically rigorous evaluation designs. This theme issue highlights recent advances in the science of protected area evaluations and explores the challenges to developing a more credible evidence base that can help societies achieve their goals of protecting nature while enhancing human welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Ferraro
- Carey School of Business and Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Robert L Pressey
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
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21
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McKinnon MC, Mascia MB, Yang W, Turner WR, Bonham C. Impact evaluation to communicate and improve conservation non-governmental organization performance: the case of Conservation International. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2016; 370:rstb.2014.0282. [PMID: 26460134 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2014.0282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The rising prominence of more rigorous approaches to measuring conservation outcomes has included greater adoption of impact evaluation by conservation non-governmental organizations (CNGOs). Within the scientific literature, however, little consideration has been given to the unique and specific roles of CNGOs in advancing impact evaluation. We explore these issues in the context of one CNGO-Conservation International (CI)-and its experiences producing, using and funding impact evaluations over the past decade. We examine the contributions of impact evaluation to CI's mission at three different stages of CI's strategy: innovation, demonstration and amplification. Furthermore, we review incentives and barriers encountered by CI in its 10+ years' experience in impact evaluation. More coordinated and strategic use of impact evaluation by CNGOs would facilitate learning and promote accountability across the conservation community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine C McKinnon
- Moore Center for Science and Oceans, Conservation International, Arlington, VA, USA
| | - Michael B Mascia
- Moore Center for Science and Oceans, Conservation International, Arlington, VA, USA
| | - Wu Yang
- Moore Center for Science and Oceans, Conservation International, Arlington, VA, USA
| | - Will R Turner
- Moore Center for Science and Oceans, Conservation International, Arlington, VA, USA
| | - Curan Bonham
- Moore Center for Science and Oceans, Conservation International, Arlington, VA, USA
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22
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Abstract
Over the last fifteen years, Payments for Environmental Services (PES) schemes have become very popular environmental policy instruments, but the academic literature has begun to question their additionality. The literature attempts to estimate the causal effect of these programs by applying impact evaluation (IE) techniques. However, PES programs are complex instruments and IE methods cannot be directly applied without adjustments. Based on a systematic review of the literature, this article proposes a framework for the methodological process of designing an IE for PES schemes. It revises and discusses the methodological choices at each step of the process and proposes guidelines for practitioners.
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