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Expanding marine protected areas to include degraded coral reefs
Author(s) -
Abelson A.,
Nelson P.A.,
Edgar G.J.,
Shashar N.,
Reed D.C.,
Belmaker J.,
Krause G.,
Beck M.W.,
Brokovich E.,
France R.,
Gaines S.D.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
conservation biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.2
H-Index - 222
eISSN - 1523-1739
pISSN - 0888-8892
DOI - 10.1111/cobi.12722
Subject(s) - coral reef , marine protected area , reef , resilience of coral reefs , ecosystem services , biodiversity , ecosystem , environmental science , marine ecosystem , coral reef protection , coral reef organizations , coral , environmental resource management , environmental issues with coral reefs , geography , ecology , biology , habitat
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a commonly applied solution to coral reef degradation, yet coral reefs continue to decline worldwide. We argue that expanding the range of MPAs to include degraded reefs (DR‐MPA) could help reverse this trend. This approach requires new ecological criteria for MPA design, siting, and management. Rather than focusing solely on preserving healthy reefs, our approach focuses on the potential for biodiversity recovery and renewal of ecosystem services. The new criteria would help identify sites with the highest potential for recovery and the greatest resistance to future threats (e.g., increased temperature and acidification) and sites that contribute to MPA connectivity. The DR‐MPA approach is a compliment rather than a substitute for traditional MPA design approaches. We believe that the DR‐MPA approach can enhance the natural, or restoration‐assisted, recovery of DRs and their ecosystem services; increase total reef area available for protection; promote more resilient and better‐connected MPA networks; and improve conditions for human communities dependent on MPA ecosystem services.