MPA effectiveness
Evaluating Marine Protected Area (MPA) effectiveness: What are the potential ecosystem-wide effects of implementing different MPA designs (size, location, restrictions) on biomass, biodiversity, and fisheries yields?
This overarching question can lead to an in-depth exploration of various aspects of MPA design and effectiveness using EwE. It addresses current challenges in MPA implementation and management, and the results may provide insights for policymakers and marine resource managers.
- Potential policy questions
- Spillover effects: How do different MPA sizes and designs influence the spillover of biomass to adjacent areas, and what is the optimal MPA configuration to maximize both conservation and fishery benefits?
- Connectivity and larval dispersal: How does the placement of MPAs affect larval connectivity between protected and unprotected areas, and what are the long-term implications for population sustainability and genetic diversity?
- No-take vs. multi-use MPAs: What are the comparative ecosystem-wide effects of strictly no-take MPAs versus multi-use MPAs that allow some regulated fishing activities?
- MPA network design: How does the spatial arrangement of multiple smaller MPAs compare to fewer larger MPAs in terms of biodiversity protection, ecosystem resilience, and fisheries sustainability?
- Habitat representation: How does including a diversity of habitat types within MPA boundaries affect overall ecosystem function and biodiversity compared to more homogeneous protected areas?
- Climate change resilience: How can MPAs be designed to enhance ecosystem resilience to climate change impacts, such as species range shifts and changing productivity patterns?
- Trophic cascades in MPAs: How do different MPA designs influence the recovery of apex predators and the subsequent trophic cascade effects on lower trophic levels?
- MPA size thresholds: Is there a minimum size threshold for MPAs to effectively protect ecosystem processes and maintain viable populations of key species?
- Temporal dynamics of MPA effects: How do the ecosystem-wide effects of MPAs change over time, and what are the short-term versus long-term trade-offs in terms of conservation and fisheries outcomes?
- Enforcement and compliance: How do varying levels of MPA enforcement and stakeholder compliance affect the ecological outcomes and overall effectiveness of protected areas?
- Socio-economic impacts: How do different MPA designs affect local fishing communities in terms of catch displacement, fishing effort redistribution, and overall economic outcomes?
- Mobile MPAs: How effective are dynamic mosaic MPAs that shift location based on seasonal patterns or changing environmental conditions compared to static MPAs?
- Mobile MPAs: Can dynamic mosaic MPAs be used effectively to limit bycatch?
