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Teschke K, Konijnenberg R, Pehlke H, Brey T. Exploring spatial similarity and performance among marine protected area planning scenarios: The case of the Weddell Sea, Antarctica. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
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Philopatry as a Tool to Define Tentative Closed Migration Cycles and Conservation Areas for Large Pelagic Fishes in the Pacific. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14095577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Migrations of large pelagic fishes across the Pacific are usually inferred from tagging or genetic studies. Even though these techniques have improved over time, they still fail to demonstrate large transoceanic migrations, usually proposing ‘routes’ that do not cycle seasonally. The current study uses the concept of ‘philopatry’ in 11 large pelagic fish species, i.e., the tendency for animals to return to their natal site to reproduce. Tentative migration routes and maps emerge by applying this concept to the movements extracted through a comprehensive review of the literature on satellite and conventional tagging, and population and subpopulation linkages inferred from genetic and/or genomic studies. Moreover, when comparing these proposed migration routes and the mapped reconstructed catch (1950–2016, Sea Around Us) of each species in the Pacific, similarities emerge, reinforcing the accuracy of these migration cycles informed by philopatry. Finally, by superposing the migration routes of our 11 species, we identified areas of the Pacific that are part of the inferred migration routes of multiple species, leading to a discussion of possible ‘blue corridors’ that would protect the studied species’ key migration routes and stocks, which are important for the fisheries, culture and nutrition of Pacific islanders.
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Teske PR, Emami-Khoyi A, Golla TR, Sandoval-Castillo J, Lamont T, Chiazzari B, McQuaid CD, Beheregaray LB, van der Lingen CD. The sardine run in southeastern Africa is a mass migration into an ecological trap. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabf4514. [PMID: 34524856 PMCID: PMC8443171 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abf4514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The KwaZulu-Natal sardine run, popularly known as the “greatest shoal on Earth,” is a mass migration of South African sardines from their temperate core range into the subtropical Indian Ocean. It has been suggested that this represents the spawning migration of a distinct subtropical stock. Using genomic and transcriptomic data from sardines collected around the South African coast, we identified two stocks, one cool temperate (Atlantic) and the other warm temperate (Indian Ocean). Unexpectedly, we found that sardines participating in the sardine run are primarily of Atlantic origin and thus prefer colder water. These sardines separate from the warm-temperate stock and move into temporarily favorable Indian Ocean habitat during brief cold-water upwelling periods. Once the upwelling ends, they find themselves trapped in physiologically challenging subtropical habitat and subject to intense predation pressure. This makes the sardine run a rare example of a mass migration that has no apparent fitness benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter R. Teske
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa
- Corresponding author.
| | - Arsalan Emami-Khoyi
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa
| | - Tirupathi R. Golla
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa
| | - Jonathan Sandoval-Castillo
- Molecular Ecology Lab, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Tarron Lamont
- Oceans and Coasts, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, P.O. Box 52126, Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town 8002, South Africa
- Department of Oceanography, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa
| | - Brent Chiazzari
- Oceanographic Research Institute, P.O. Box 10712, Marine Parade, Durban 4056, South Africa
| | | | - Luciano B. Beheregaray
- Molecular Ecology Lab, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Carl D. van der Lingen
- Fisheries Management, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Private Bag X2, Vlaeberg 8012, South Africa
- Department of Biological Sciences and Marine Research Institute, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa
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Emami-Khoyi A, Le Roux R, Adair MG, Monsanto DM, Main DC, Parbhu SP, Schnelle CM, van der Lingen CD, Jansen van Vuuren B, Teske PR. Transcriptomic Diversity in the Livers of South African Sardines Participating in the Annual Sardine Run. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12030368. [PMID: 33806647 PMCID: PMC8001748 DOI: 10.3390/genes12030368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
During austral winter, the southern and eastern coastlines of South Africa witness one of the largest animal migrations on the planet, the KwaZulu-Natal sardine run. Hundreds of millions of temperate sardines, Sardinops sagax, form large shoals that migrate north-east towards the subtropical Indian Ocean. Recent studies have highlighted the role that genetic and environmental factors play in sardine run formation. In the present study, we used massively parallel sequencing to assemble and annotate the first reference transcriptome from the liver cells of South African sardines, and to investigate the functional content and transcriptomic diversity. A total of 1,310,530 transcripts with an N50 of 1578 bp were assembled de novo. Several genes and core biochemical pathways that modulate energy production, energy storage, digestion, secretory processes, immune responses, signaling, regulatory processes, and detoxification were identified. The functional content of the liver transcriptome from six individuals that participated in the 2019 sardine run demonstrated heterogeneous levels of variation. Data presented in the current study provide new insights into the complex function of the liver transcriptome in South African sardines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arsalan Emami-Khoyi
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa; (A.E.-K.); (R.L.R.); (M.G.A.); (D.M.M.); (D.C.M.); (S.P.P.); (C.M.S.); (B.J.v.V.)
| | - Rynhardt Le Roux
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa; (A.E.-K.); (R.L.R.); (M.G.A.); (D.M.M.); (D.C.M.); (S.P.P.); (C.M.S.); (B.J.v.V.)
| | - Matthew G. Adair
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa; (A.E.-K.); (R.L.R.); (M.G.A.); (D.M.M.); (D.C.M.); (S.P.P.); (C.M.S.); (B.J.v.V.)
| | - Daniela M. Monsanto
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa; (A.E.-K.); (R.L.R.); (M.G.A.); (D.M.M.); (D.C.M.); (S.P.P.); (C.M.S.); (B.J.v.V.)
| | - Devon C. Main
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa; (A.E.-K.); (R.L.R.); (M.G.A.); (D.M.M.); (D.C.M.); (S.P.P.); (C.M.S.); (B.J.v.V.)
| | - Shilpa P. Parbhu
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa; (A.E.-K.); (R.L.R.); (M.G.A.); (D.M.M.); (D.C.M.); (S.P.P.); (C.M.S.); (B.J.v.V.)
| | - Claudia M. Schnelle
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa; (A.E.-K.); (R.L.R.); (M.G.A.); (D.M.M.); (D.C.M.); (S.P.P.); (C.M.S.); (B.J.v.V.)
| | - Carl D. van der Lingen
- Branch: Fisheries Management, Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Private Bag X2, Vlaeberg 8012, South Africa;
- Department of Biological Sciences and Marine Research Institute, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7700, South Africa
| | - Bettine Jansen van Vuuren
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa; (A.E.-K.); (R.L.R.); (M.G.A.); (D.M.M.); (D.C.M.); (S.P.P.); (C.M.S.); (B.J.v.V.)
| | - Peter R. Teske
- Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa; (A.E.-K.); (R.L.R.); (M.G.A.); (D.M.M.); (D.C.M.); (S.P.P.); (C.M.S.); (B.J.v.V.)
- Correspondence:
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Welch H, Brodie S, Jacox MG, Bograd SJ, Hazen EL. Decision-support tools for dynamic management. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2020; 34:589-599. [PMID: 31486126 PMCID: PMC7317865 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Spatial management is a valuable strategy to advance regional goals for nature conservation, economic development, and human health. One challenge of spatial management is navigating the prioritization of multiple features. This challenge becomes more pronounced in dynamic management scenarios, in which boundaries are flexible in space and time in response to changing biological, environmental, or socioeconomic conditions. To implement dynamic management, decision-support tools are needed to guide spatial prioritization as feature distributions shift under changing conditions. Marxan is a widely applied decision-support tool designed for static management scenarios, but its utility in dynamic management has not been evaluated. EcoCast is a new decision-support tool developed explicitly for the dynamic management of multiple features, but it lacks some of Marxan's functionality. We used a hindcast analysis to compare the capacity of these 2 tools to prioritize 4 marine species in a dynamic management scenario for fisheries sustainability. We successfully configured Marxan to operate dynamically on a daily time scale to resemble EcoCast. The relationship between EcoCast solutions and the underlying species distributions was more linear and less noisy, whereas Marxan solutions had more contrast between waters that were good and poor to fish. Neither decision-support tool clearly outperformed the other; the appropriateness of each depends on management purpose, resource-manager preference, and technological capacity of tool developers. Article impact statement: Marxan can function as a decision-support tool for dynamic management scenarios in which boundaries are flexible in space and time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Welch
- Institute of Marine SciencesUniversity of California Santa Cruz1156 High StreetSanta CruzCA95064U.S.A.
- Southwest Fisheries Science CenterNational Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationSuite 255A, 99 Pacific Street, Heritage HarborMontereyCA93940U.S.A.
| | - Stephanie Brodie
- Institute of Marine SciencesUniversity of California Santa Cruz1156 High StreetSanta CruzCA95064U.S.A.
- Southwest Fisheries Science CenterNational Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationSuite 255A, 99 Pacific Street, Heritage HarborMontereyCA93940U.S.A.
| | - Michael G. Jacox
- Institute of Marine SciencesUniversity of California Santa Cruz1156 High StreetSanta CruzCA95064U.S.A.
- Southwest Fisheries Science CenterNational Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationSuite 255A, 99 Pacific Street, Heritage HarborMontereyCA93940U.S.A.
- Earth System Research LaboratoryNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration325 Broadway StreetBoulderCO80305U.S.A.
| | - Steven J. Bograd
- Institute of Marine SciencesUniversity of California Santa Cruz1156 High StreetSanta CruzCA95064U.S.A.
- Southwest Fisheries Science CenterNational Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationSuite 255A, 99 Pacific Street, Heritage HarborMontereyCA93940U.S.A.
| | - Elliott L. Hazen
- Institute of Marine SciencesUniversity of California Santa Cruz1156 High StreetSanta CruzCA95064U.S.A.
- Southwest Fisheries Science CenterNational Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationSuite 255A, 99 Pacific Street, Heritage HarborMontereyCA93940U.S.A.
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Jepsen EM, de Bruyn PJN. Pinniped entanglement in oceanic plastic pollution: A global review. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 145:295-305. [PMID: 31590791 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.05.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Oceanic plastic pollution is a growing worldwide environmental concern, endangering numerous marine species. Pinnipeds are particularly susceptible to entanglement, especially in abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear and packaging straps. We searched three international databases to compile a comprehensive review of all reported pinniped entanglements over the last 40 years, with the aim to identify areas of concern and foci for mitigation. The majority of published records of entanglement emanate from North America and Oceania and are focused on a few populous species (notably, Zalophus californianus and Arctocephalus gazella). Reporting bias, skewed research effort and incomplete understanding of plastic pollution and pinniped abundance overlap, combine to cloud our understanding of the entanglement problem. Broader geographical effort in entanglement data collection, reporting of such data, and improved quantification of the proportions of populations, sexes and ages that are most susceptible, will aid our efforts to pinpoint priority mitigation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma M Jepsen
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - P J Nico de Bruyn
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa.
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Afán I, Giménez J, Forero MG, Ramírez F. An adaptive method for identifying marine areas of high conservation priority. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2018; 32:1436-1447. [PMID: 29968335 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2017] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Identifying priority areas for biodiversity conservation is particularly challenging in the marine environment due to the open and dynamic nature of the ocean, the paucity of information on species distribution, and the necessary balance between marine biodiversity conservation and essential supporting services such as seafood provision. We used the Patagonian seabird breeding community as a case study to propose an integrated and adaptive method for delimiting key marine areas for conservation. Priority areas were defined through a free decision-support tool (Marxan) that included projected at-sea distributions of seabirds (approximately 2,225,000 individuals of 14 species); BirdLife Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) for pelagic bird species; and the economic costs of potential regulations in fishing practices. The proposed reserve network encompassed approximately 300,000 km2 that was largely concentrated in northern and southern inshore and northern and central offshore regions. This reserve network exceeded the minimum threshold of 20% conservation of the abundance of each species proposed by the World Parks Congress. Based on marine currents in the study area, we further identified the 3 primary water masses that may influence areas of conservation priority through water inflow. Our reserve network may benefit from enhanced marine productivity in these highly connected areas, but they may be threatened by human impacts such as marine pollution. Our method of reserve network design is an important advance with respect to the more classical approaches based on criteria defined for one or a few species and may be particularly useful when information on spatial patterns is data deficient. Our approach also accommodates addition of new information on seabird distribution and population dynamics, human activities, and alterations in the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Afán
- Remote Sensing and GIS Laboratory (LAST-EBD), Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), C/AméricoVespucio, 26, 41092, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Joan Giménez
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), 41092, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Manuela G Forero
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), 41092, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Francisco Ramírez
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 643, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
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Hazen EL, Scales KL, Maxwell SM, Briscoe DK, Welch H, Bograd SJ, Bailey H, Benson SR, Eguchi T, Dewar H, Kohin S, Costa DP, Crowder LB, Lewison RL. A dynamic ocean management tool to reduce bycatch and support sustainable fisheries. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2018; 4:eaar3001. [PMID: 29854945 PMCID: PMC5976278 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aar3001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Seafood is an essential source of protein for more than 3 billion people worldwide, yet bycatch of threatened species in capture fisheries remains a major impediment to fisheries sustainability. Management measures designed to reduce bycatch often result in significant economic losses and even fisheries closures. Static spatial management approaches can also be rendered ineffective by environmental variability and climate change, as productive habitats shift and introduce new interactions between human activities and protected species. We introduce a new multispecies and dynamic approach that uses daily satellite data to track ocean features and aligns scales of management, species movement, and fisheries. To accomplish this, we create species distribution models for one target species and three bycatch-sensitive species using both satellite telemetry and fisheries observer data. We then integrate species-specific probabilities of occurrence into a single predictive surface, weighing the contribution of each species by management concern. We find that dynamic closures could be 2 to 10 times smaller than existing static closures while still providing adequate protection of endangered nontarget species. Our results highlight the opportunity to implement near real-time management strategies that would both support economically viable fisheries and meet mandated conservation objectives in the face of changing ocean conditions. With recent advances in eco-informatics, dynamic management provides a new climate-ready approach to support sustainable fisheries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliott L. Hazen
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Monterey, CA 93940, USA
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
- Woods Institute Visiting Scholar, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Stanford, CA 94035, USA
- Corresponding author.
| | - Kylie L. Scales
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
- University of the Sunshine Coast, School of Science and Engineering, Maroochydore, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sara M. Maxwell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA
| | - Dana K. Briscoe
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Heather Welch
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Steven J. Bograd
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Monterey, CA 93940, USA
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Helen Bailey
- Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, University of Maryland, Solomons, MD 20688, USA
| | - Scott R. Benson
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Monterey, CA 93940, USA
- Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA
| | - Tomo Eguchi
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Monterey, CA 93940, USA
| | - Heidi Dewar
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Monterey, CA 93940, USA
| | - Suzy Kohin
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Monterey, CA 93940, USA
| | - Daniel P. Costa
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Larry B. Crowder
- Stanford University, Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA
| | - Rebecca L. Lewison
- Institute for Ecological Monitoring and Management, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
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Venegas‐Li R, Levin N, Possingham H, Kark S. 3D spatial conservation prioritisation: Accounting for depth in marine environments. Methods Ecol Evol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.12896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Venegas‐Li
- The Biodiversity Research Group School of Biological Sciences Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science The University of Queensland St Lucia Qld Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions (CEED) The University of Queensland St Lucia Qld Australia
| | - Noam Levin
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions (CEED) The University of Queensland St Lucia Qld Australia
- Department of Geography The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Jerusalem Israel
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences The University of Queensland St Lucia Qld Australia
| | - Hugh Possingham
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions (CEED) The University of Queensland St Lucia Qld Australia
- Conservation Science The Nature Conservancy South Brisbane Qld Australia
| | - Salit Kark
- The Biodiversity Research Group School of Biological Sciences Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science The University of Queensland St Lucia Qld Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions (CEED) The University of Queensland St Lucia Qld Australia
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Affiliation(s)
- Noam Levin
- Department of Geography The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Mount Scopus Jerusalem 91905 Israel
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Salit Kark
- The Biodiversity Research Group, The School of Biological Sciences, ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions and NESP Threatened Species hub, Centre for Biodiversity & Conservation Science The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Roberto Danovaro
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences Polytechnic University of Marche 60131 Ancona Italy
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Naples Italy
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Weeks R. Incorporating seascape connectivity in conservation prioritisation. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0182396. [PMID: 28753647 PMCID: PMC5533427 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In conservation prioritisation, it is often implicit that representation targets for individual habitat types act as surrogates for the species that inhabit them. Yet for many commercially and ecologically important coral reef fish species, connectivity among different habitats in a seascape may be more important than any single habitat alone. Approaches to conservation prioritisation that consider seascape connectivity are thus warranted. I demonstrate an approach that can be implemented within a relatively data-poor context, using widely available conservation planning software. Based on clearly stated assumptions regarding species’ habitat usage and movement ability, this approach can be adapted to different focal species and contexts, or refined as further data become available. I first derive a seascape connectivity metric based on area-weighted proximity between juvenile and adult habitat patches, and then apply this during spatial prioritisation using the decision-support software Marxan. Using a case study from Micronesia, I present two applications: first, to inform prioritisation for a network of marine protected areas to achieve regional objectives for habitat representation; and second, to identify nursery habitat patches that are most likely to supply juveniles to adult populations on reefs within existing protected areas. Incorporating seascape connectivity in conservation prioritisation highlights areas where small marine protected areas placed on coral reefs might benefit from proximity to other habitats in the seascape, and thus be more effective. Within the context of community tenure over resources, identification of critical nursery habitats to improve the effectiveness of existing marine protected areas indicates where collaboration across community boundaries might be required. Outputs from these analyses are likely to be most useful in regions where management is highly decentralised, imposing spatial constraints on the size of individual protected areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Weeks
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Santora JA, Sydeman WJ, Schroeder ID, Field JC, Miller RR, Wells BK. Persistence of trophic hotspots and relation to human impacts within an upwelling marine ecosystem. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2017; 27:560-574. [PMID: 27862556 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Human impacts (e.g., fishing, pollution, and shipping) on pelagic ecosystems are increasing, causing concerns about stresses on marine food webs. Maintaining predator-prey relationships through protection of pelagic hotspots is crucial for conservation and management of living marine resources. Biotic components of pelagic, plankton-based, ecosystems exhibit high variability in abundance in time and space (i.e., extreme patchiness), requiring investigation of persistence of abundance across trophic levels to resolve trophic hotspots. Using a 26-yr record of indicators for primary production, secondary (zooplankton and larval fish), and tertiary (seabirds) consumers, we show distributions of trophic hotspots in the southern California Current Ecosystem result from interactions between a strong upwelling center and a productive retention zone with enhanced nutrients, which concentrate prey and predators across multiple trophic levels. Trophic hotspots also overlap with human impacts, including fisheries extraction of coastal pelagic and groundfish species, as well as intense commercial shipping traffic. Spatial overlap of trophic hotspots with fisheries and shipping increases vulnerability of the ecosystem to localized depletion of forage fish, ship strikes on marine mammals, and pollution. This study represents a critical step toward resolving pelagic areas of high conservation interest for planktonic ecosystems and may serve as a model for other ocean regions where ecosystem-based management and marine spatial planning of pelagic ecosystems is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarrod A Santora
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Center for Stock Assessment Research, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, California, 96060, USA
| | - William J Sydeman
- Farallon Institute for Advanced Ecosystem Research, 101 H Street, Suite Q, Petaluma, California, 94952, USA
| | - Isaac D Schroeder
- Cooperative Institute for Marine Ecosystems and Climate (CIMEC), University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, 95060, USA
- Environmental Research Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 99 Pacific Street, Suite 255A, Monterey, California, 93940, USA
| | - John C Field
- Fisheries Ecology Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 110 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, California, 95060, USA
| | - Rebecca R Miller
- Cooperative Institute for Marine Ecosystems and Climate (CIMEC), University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California, 95060, USA
- Fisheries Ecology Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 110 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, California, 95060, USA
| | - Brian K Wells
- Fisheries Ecology Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 110 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, California, 95060, USA
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Ikin K, Tulloch A, Gibbons P, Ansell D, Seddon J, Lindenmayer D. Evaluating complementary networks of restoration plantings for landscape-scale occurrence of temporally dynamic species. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2016; 30:1027-1037. [PMID: 27040452 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Revised: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Multibillion dollar investments in land restoration make it critical that conservation goals are achieved cost-effectively. Approaches developed for systematic conservation planning offer opportunities to evaluate landscape-scale, temporally dynamic biodiversity outcomes from restoration and improve on traditional approaches that focus on the most species-rich plantings. We investigated whether it is possible to apply a complementarity-based approach to evaluate the extent to which an existing network of restoration plantings meets representation targets. Using a case study of woodland birds of conservation concern in southeastern Australia, we compared complementarity-based selections of plantings based on temporally dynamic species occurrences with selections based on static species occurrences and selections based on ranking plantings by species richness. The dynamic complementarity approach, which incorporated species occurrences over 5 years, resulted in higher species occurrences and proportion of targets met compared with the static complementarity approach, in which species occurrences were taken at a single point in time. For equivalent cost, the dynamic complementarity approach also always resulted in higher average minimum percent occurrence of species maintained through time and a higher proportion of the bird community meeting representation targets compared with the species-richness approach. Plantings selected under the complementarity approaches represented the full range of planting attributes, whereas those selected under the species-richness approach were larger in size. Our results suggest that future restoration policy should not attempt to achieve all conservation goals within individual plantings, but should instead capitalize on restoration opportunities as they arise to achieve collective value of multiple plantings across the landscape. Networks of restoration plantings with complementary attributes of age, size, vegetation structure, and landscape context lead to considerably better outcomes than conventional restoration objectives of site-scale species richness and are crucial for allocating restoration investment wisely to reach desired conservation goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Ikin
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Frank Fenner Building 141, Linnaeus Way, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia.
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, The Australian National University, Frank Fenner Building 141, Linnaeus Way, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia.
| | - Ayesha Tulloch
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Frank Fenner Building 141, Linnaeus Way, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, The Australian National University, Frank Fenner Building 141, Linnaeus Way, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Philip Gibbons
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Frank Fenner Building 141, Linnaeus Way, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Dean Ansell
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Frank Fenner Building 141, Linnaeus Way, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Julian Seddon
- Environment Division, Environment and Planning Directorate, ACT Government, Building 3, 9 Sanford St., Mitchell, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - David Lindenmayer
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Frank Fenner Building 141, Linnaeus Way, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, The Australian National University, Frank Fenner Building 141, Linnaeus Way, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia
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Davies HN, Beckley LE, Kobryn HT, Lombard AT, Radford B, Heyward A. Integrating Climate Change Resilience Features into the Incremental Refinement of an Existing Marine Park. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161094. [PMID: 27529820 PMCID: PMC4986976 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 07/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine protected area (MPA) designs are likely to require iterative refinement as new knowledge is gained. In particular, there is an increasing need to consider the effects of climate change, especially the ability of ecosystems to resist and/or recover from climate-related disturbances, within the MPA planning process. However, there has been limited research addressing the incorporation of climate change resilience into MPA design. This study used Marxan conservation planning software with fine-scale shallow water (<20 m) bathymetry and habitat maps, models of major benthic communities for deeper water, and comprehensive human use information from Ningaloo Marine Park in Western Australia to identify climate change resilience features to integrate into the incremental refinement of the marine park. The study assessed the representation of benthic habitats within the current marine park zones, identified priority areas of high resilience for inclusion within no-take zones and examined if any iterative refinements to the current no-take zones are necessary. Of the 65 habitat classes, 16 did not meet representation targets within the current no-take zones, most of which were in deeper offshore waters. These deeper areas also demonstrated the highest resilience values and, as such, Marxan outputs suggested minor increases to the current no-take zones in the deeper offshore areas. This work demonstrates that inclusion of fine-scale climate change resilience features within the design process for MPAs is feasible, and can be applied to future marine spatial planning practices globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harriet N. Davies
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Lynnath E. Beckley
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Halina T. Kobryn
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Amanda T. Lombard
- Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Ben Radford
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Andrew Heyward
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Bode M, Williamson DH, Weeks R, Jones GP, Almany GR, Harrison HB, Hopf JK, Pressey RL. Planning Marine Reserve Networks for Both Feature Representation and Demographic Persistence Using Connectivity Patterns. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0154272. [PMID: 27168206 PMCID: PMC4864080 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine reserve networks must ensure the representation of important conservation features, and also guarantee the persistence of key populations. For many species, designing reserve networks is complicated by the absence or limited availability of spatial and life-history data. This is particularly true for data on larval dispersal, which has only recently become available. However, systematic conservation planning methods currently incorporate demographic processes through unsatisfactory surrogates. There are therefore two key challenges to designing marine reserve networks that achieve feature representation and demographic persistence constraints. First, constructing a method that efficiently incorporates persistence as well as complementary feature representation. Second, incorporating persistence using a mechanistic description of population viability, rather than a proxy such as size or distance. Here we construct a novel systematic conservation planning method that addresses both challenges, and parameterise it to design a hypothetical marine reserve network for fringing coral reefs in the Keppel Islands, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. For this application, we describe how demographic persistence goals can be constructed for an important reef fish species in the region, the bar-cheeked trout (Plectropomus maculatus). We compare reserve networks that are optimally designed for either feature representation or demographic persistence, with a reserve network that achieves both goals simultaneously. As well as being practically applicable, our analyses also provide general insights into marine reserve planning for both representation and demographic persistence. First, persistence constraints for dispersive organisms are likely to be much harder to achieve than representation targets, due to their greater complexity. Second, persistence and representation constraints pull the reserve network design process in divergent directions, making it difficult to efficiently achieve both constraints. Although our method can be readily applied to the data-rich Keppel Islands case study, we finally consider the factors that limit the method's utility in information-poor contexts common in marine conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Bode
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, School of Botany, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811, QLD, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - David H. Williamson
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811, QLD, Australia
| | - Rebecca Weeks
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811, QLD, Australia
| | - Geoff P. Jones
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811, QLD, Australia
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811, QLD, Australia
| | - Glenn R. Almany
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811, QLD, Australia
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-EPHE-UPVD, Universite de Perpignan, 66860, Perpignan Cedex, France
| | - Hugo B. Harrison
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811, QLD, Australia
| | - Jess K. Hopf
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811, QLD, Australia
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811, QLD, Australia
| | - Robert L. Pressey
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811, QLD, Australia
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Runge CA, Tulloch AIT, Possingham HP, Tulloch VJD, Fuller RA. Incorporating dynamic distributions into spatial prioritization. DIVERS DISTRIB 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Claire A. Runge
- School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management; University of Queensland; Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
| | - Ayesha I. T. Tulloch
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Hugh P. Possingham
- School of Biological Sciences; The University of Queensland; Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
- Department of Life Sciences; Imperial College London; Silwood Park UK
| | | | - Richard A. Fuller
- School of Biological Sciences; The University of Queensland; Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
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Maxwell SM, Ban NC, Morgan LE. Pragmatic approaches for effective management of pelagic marine protected areas. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2014. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Scales KL, Miller PI, Hawkes LA, Ingram SN, Sims DW, Votier SC. REVIEW: On the Front Line: frontal zones as priority at-sea conservation areas for mobile marine vertebrates. J Appl Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kylie L. Scales
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory; Prospect Place Plymouth PL1 3DH UK
| | - Peter I. Miller
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory; Prospect Place Plymouth PL1 3DH UK
| | - Lucy A. Hawkes
- Environment and Sustainability Institute; University of Exeter; Cornwall Campus Penryn TR10 9EZ UK
| | - Simon N. Ingram
- Centre for Marine and Coastal Policy Research; Plymouth University; Plymouth PL4 8AA UK
| | - David W. Sims
- Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom; The Laboratory; Citadel Hill Plymouth PL1 2PB UK
- Ocean and Earth Science; University of Southampton; Waterfront Campus Southampton SO14 3ZH UK
| | - Stephen C. Votier
- Environment and Sustainability Institute; University of Exeter; Cornwall Campus Penryn TR10 9EZ UK
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Santora JA, Schroeder ID, Field JC, Wells BK, Sydeman WJ. Spatio-temporal dynamics of ocean conditions and forage taxa reveal regional structuring of seabird–prey relationships. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2014; 24:1730-1747. [PMID: 29210234 DOI: 10.1890/13-1605.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Studies of predator–prey demographic responses and the physical drivers of such relationships are rare, yet essential for predicting future changes in the structure and dynamics of marine ecosystems. Here, we hypothesize that predator–prey relationships vary spatially in association with underlying physical ocean conditions, leading to observable changes in demographic rates, such as reproduction. To test this hypothesis, we quantified spatio-temporal variability in hydrographic conditions, krill, and forage fish to model predator (seabird) demographic responses over 18 years (1990–2007). We used principal component analysis and spatial correlation maps to assess coherence among ocean conditions, krill, and forage fish, and generalized additive models to quantify interannual variability in seabird breeding success relative to prey abundance. The first principal component of four hydrographic measurements yielded an index that partitioned “warm/weak upwelling” and “cool/strong upwelling” years. Partitioning of krill and forage fish time series among shelf and oceanic regions yielded spatially explicit indicators of prey availability. Krill abundance within the oceanic region was remarkably consistent between years, whereas krill over the shelf showed marked interannual fluctuations in relation to ocean conditions. Anchovy abundance varied on the shelf, and was greater in years of strong stratification, weak upwelling and warmer temperatures. Spatio-temporal variability of juvenile forage fish co-varied strongly with each other and with krill, but was weakly correlated with hydrographic conditions. Demographic responses between seabirds and prey availability revealed spatially variable associations indicative of the dynamic nature of “predator–habitat” relationships. Quantification of spatially explicit demographic responses, and their variability through time, demonstrate the possibility of delineating specific critical areas where the implementation of protective measures could maintain functions and productivity of central place foraging predators.
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McKinnon AD, Williams A, Young J, Ceccarelli D, Dunstan P, Brewin RJW, Watson R, Brinkman R, Cappo M, Duggan S, Kelley R, Ridgway K, Lindsay D, Gledhill D, Hutton T, Richardson AJ. Tropical marginal seas: priority regions for managing marine biodiversity and ecosystem function. ANNUAL REVIEW OF MARINE SCIENCE 2013; 6:415-437. [PMID: 24128091 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-marine-010213-135042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Tropical marginal seas (TMSs) are natural subregions of tropical oceans containing biodiverse ecosystems with conspicuous, valued, and vulnerable biodiversity assets. They are focal points for global marine conservation because they occur in regions where human populations are rapidly expanding. Our review of 11 TMSs focuses on three key ecosystems-coral reefs and emergent atolls, deep benthic systems, and pelagic biomes-and synthesizes, illustrates, and contrasts knowledge of biodiversity, ecosystem function, interaction between adjacent habitats, and anthropogenic pressures. TMSs vary in the extent that they have been subject to human influence-from the nearly pristine Coral Sea to the heavily exploited South China and Caribbean Seas-but we predict that they will all be similarly complex to manage because most span multiple national jurisdictions. We conclude that developing a structured process to identify ecologically and biologically significant areas that uses a set of globally agreed criteria is a tractable first step toward effective multinational and transboundary ecosystem management of TMSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- A David McKinnon
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville 4810, Australia; *
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Taranto GH, Kvile KØ, Pitcher TJ, Morato T. An ecosystem evaluation framework for global seamount conservation and management. PLoS One 2012; 7:e42950. [PMID: 22905190 PMCID: PMC3414466 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2012] [Accepted: 07/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last twenty years, several global targets for protection of marine biodiversity have been adopted but have failed. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) aims at preserving 10% of all the marine biomes by 2020. For achieving this goal, ecologically or biologically significant areas (EBSA) have to be identified in all biogeographic regions. However, the methodologies for identifying the best suitable areas are still to be agreed. Here, we propose a framework for applying the CBD criteria to locate potential ecologically or biologically significant seamount areas based on the best information currently available. The framework combines the likelihood of a seamount constituting an EBSA and its level of human impact and can be used at global, regional and local scales. This methodology allows the classification of individual seamounts into four major portfolio conservation categories which can help optimize management efforts toward the protection of the most suitable areas. The framework was tested against 1000 dummy seamounts and satisfactorily assigned seamounts to proper EBSA and threats categories. Additionally, the framework was applied to eight case study seamounts that were included in three out of four portfolio categories: areas highly likely to be identified as EBSA with high degree of threat; areas highly likely to be EBSA with low degree of threat; and areas with a low likelihood of being EBSA with high degree of threat. This framework will allow managers to identify seamount EBSAs and to prioritize their policies in terms of protecting undisturbed areas, disturbed areas for recovery of habitats and species, or both based on their management objectives. It also identifies seamount EBSAs and threats considering different ecological groups in both pelagic and benthic communities. Therefore, this framework may represent an important tool to mitigate seamount biodiversity loss and to achieve the 2020 CBD goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald H. Taranto
- Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, IMAR, LARSYS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Kristina Ø. Kvile
- Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, IMAR, LARSYS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Tony J. Pitcher
- Fisheries Center, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Telmo Morato
- Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, IMAR, LARSYS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
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