Article
Environmental Sciences
Lucian Himes, Florybeth Flores La Valle
Summary: This study used flight initiation distance (FID) to evaluate the health of fish populations within and outside of marine protected areas (MPAs) in Southern California. The results showed that fish sampled in MPAs had lower FID values, indicating bolder behavioral traits. This suggests that MPAs in Southern California are promoting healthier fish communities.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Thais Vilela, Alfonso Malky Harb, Carla Mendizabal Vergara
Summary: This study investigates the willingness of Chilean households to support protected areas through donations or tariffs. The average willingness to pay per household per month ranges from US$ 3 to US$ 8, and it is lower when households are asked to pay via tariffs instead of donations.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Hannah Hatcher
Summary: An article in Science Advances examines the ability of protected areas to mitigate the impacts of climate change on ecosystems.
NATURE REVIEWS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jose Alberto Lara-Pulido, Angela Mojica, Aaron Bruner, Alejandro Guevara-Sangines, Cecilia Simon, Felipe Vasquez-Lavin, Cristopher Gonzalez-Baca, Maria Jose Infanzon
Summary: Tourism on Cozumel Island contributes significantly to the local economy, with the management of coral reefs playing a crucial role in maintaining visitor experience and economic value. Research findings suggest that tourists are willing to pay extra for biodiversity protection and improved underwater visibility, and increasing reef management fees can fund conservation efforts without impacting visitor satisfaction.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
G. M. Velez-Rubio, L. Gonzalez-Etchebehere, F. Scarabino, R. Trinchin, G. Manta, M. Laporta, M. Zabaleta, V. Vidal, A. de Leon-Mackey, C. Kruk
Summary: This study developed a simple classification method for macroalgal organisms in transitional waters in southern rocky shores, classifying species into eight MFGs based on morphological traits and showing that most species can be effectively classified using three morphological traits (shape, consistency, and texture). The validated MFGs differed significantly in species richness and biomass, were distributed differently along the intertidal zone, and dominated under different environmental conditions such as sea surface temperature, sea level, and salinity.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hunter S. Lenihan, Jordan P. Gallagher, Joseph R. Peters, Adrian C. Stier, Jennifer K. K. Hofmeister, Daniel C. Reed
Summary: The study found that the increase in lobster population inside Marine Protected Areas led to higher local fishing effort and total catch, but did not significantly affect catch-per-unit-effort.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
W. L. S. Sevwandi Dharmadasa, A. L. Andrady, P. B. Terney Pradeep Kumara, T. Maes, C. S. Gangabadage
Summary: The study found that microplastics are present in coastal and lagoon sediments and water in two Marine Protected Areas in Sri Lanka, with higher abundance in the Hikkaduwa Marine National Park. The most common shape and polymer type of microplastics were fragments and Polyethylene, respectively. This research provides a baseline for future studies and management of microplastic pollution in these environments.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
E. V. Sheehan, L. A. Holmes, B. F. R. Davies, A. Cartwright, A. Rees, M. J. Attrill
Summary: MPAs are used to manage human impacts, particularly fishing pressure, and can help rewild degraded areas of seabed habitat. However, the potential for MPAs to increase ecosystem resilience from storms is not well understood. Extreme storm disturbance impacts on seabed habitats in MPAs can be significant and may provide insights into the ecological responses of seabed ecosystems to future extreme disturbance events.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Katherine D. Millage, Juan Carlos Villasenor-Derbez, Darcy Bradley, Matthew G. Burgess, Hunter S. Lenihan, Christopher Costello
Summary: Marine protected areas are important for conservation, but the increase in fish biomass within MPAs creates incentives for poaching. Fishing activities persist in most MPAs worldwide, raising concerns about monitoring and enforcement. A proposal for a Conservation Finance Area (CFA) utilizes leased fishing zones within MPAs to finance monitoring and enforcement, leading to greater conservation success.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Thaina Lessa, Paul Jepson, Chiara Bragagnolo, Joao Campos-Silva, Evelynne Barros, Flavia Gomes, Barbara Ramos Pinheiro, Tiago Peres Moura Fe, Ana C. M. Malhado, Richard J. Ladle
Summary: Protected areas (PAs) have expanded rapidly in recent years, but lack sufficient financial support. Some politicians see PAs as a hindrance to economic and social development. The proposed Protected Area Asset Framework (PAAF) aims to address funding shortages and negative perceptions by highlighting the values of PAs and leveraging their assets for inward investments.
Article
Oceanography
Zoe Qu, Simon Thrush, Nicolas Lewis
Summary: Coastal marine resource over-exploitation has led to loss of marine biodiversity and environmental degradation, impacting Coastal and Marine Ecosystems (CME). Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can benefit adjacent fisheries and habitat recovery, but quantifying the monetary value of their ecosystem services is challenging. Only a few tools incorporate monetary value assessments for MPAs, highlighting the need for a transdisciplinary approach to develop an ecology-based monetary value measurement method.
OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Jakob Thyrring, Christopher D. G. Harley
Summary: Current latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG) meta-analyses have not recognized intertidal zones as separate systems. However, this study revisits past literature and datasets on LDGs to explore patterns in intertidal, subtidal, and pelagic realms and emphasizes the importance of recognizing intertidal ecosystems as distinct. The findings show that intertidal ecosystems have their own unique LDG patterns and should not be combined with other marine habitats.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tatiana Begun, Adrian Teaca, Mihaela Muresan, Pedro A. Quijon, Selma Menabit, Victor Surugiu
Summary: This study describes the characteristics and diversity of benthic habitats and their associated communities in two marine protected areas in the southern Romanian Black Sea. The ecological status of these habitats was evaluated using various indicators. The majority of the sampling stations showed good ecological status, while a minority showed concerns for the coastal system. Further research and conservation efforts are needed.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Kristen M. Michaud, Daniel C. Reed, Robert J. Miller
Summary: Sessile invertebrates in Californian kelp forests undergo prolonged changes in community structure following a marine heatwave event, indicating a climate-driven shift in the ecosystem.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Jose M. Martinez-Paz, Jose A. Albaladejo-Garcia, Jesus Barreiro-Hurle, Federico Martinez-Carrasco Pleite, Angel Perni
Summary: This study aims to analyze and determine the economic value and acceptability of the restoration project, considering spatial effects. It is found that the distance to project and substitute areas explains WTP and PB, recommending interventions to be targeted at areas with high accessibility and low number of substitutes for maximizing benefits.