Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ori Frid, Shahar Malamud, Antonio Di Franco, Paolo Guidetti, Ernesto Azzurro, Joachim Claudet, Fiorenza Micheli, Ruth Yahel, Enric Sala, Jonathan Belmaker
Summary: The positive effect of fully protected marine protected areas (MPAs) on marine biodiversity, and specifically on fishes, has been widely documented. The potential of MPAs to mitigate the impact of adverse climatic conditions has seldom been investigated. This study assessed the effectiveness of MPAs in increasing fish biomass across the Mediterranean Sea and found that while MPAs did increase fish biomass, higher seawater temperatures were associated with decreased fish biomass. Importantly, the rate of decrease in fish biomass with temperature was similar between protected and fished sites.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre, Diana Carolina Dioses-Salinas, Carlos Ivan Pizarro-Ortega, Ana D. Forero Lopez, Melisa D. Fernandez Severini, Guido Noe Rimondino, Fabio Ernesto Malanca, Sina Dobaradaran, Tadele Assefa Aragaw, Bilal Mghili, Felix Ayala
Summary: This study investigated the abundance, distribution, and chemical characteristics of microplastics, mesoplastics, and paint particles in marine protected areas in Peru. The particles showed similar characteristics across different environmental compartments, with blue fibers being the dominant type. Some particles were composite materials consisting of alkyd resins, which are indicators of marine coatings. The study shed light on the contamination of anthropogenic debris in marine protected areas and provided insights into the properties of paint particles in marine environments.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
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
Biodiversity Conservation
Chris Brown, Gabby N. Ahmadia, Dominic A. Andradi-Brown, Nur Arafeh-Dalmau, Christina A. Buelow, Max D. Campbell, Graham J. Edgar, Jonas Geldmann, David Gill, Rick D. Stuart-Smith
Summary: Well-resourced marine protected areas (MPA) are better managed and achieve improved ecological outcomes. This study investigates whether fees charged for entry into MPAs are associated with enhanced fish biomass and the effectiveness of MPA management. The findings suggest that entry fees are linked to greater fish biomass, particularly in MPAs with lower scores for management effectiveness. Additionally, the study indicates that entry fees contribute to budget security and staff capacity for critical management activities in MPAs.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zachary Gold, Joshua Sprague, David J. Kushner, Erick Zerecero Marin, Paul H. Barber
Summary: This study compared fish communities inside and outside a marine protected area using eDNA metabarcoding and underwater visual census surveys. The results demonstrated the sensitivity and feasibility of eDNA for monitoring marine ecosystems, highlighting its potential as a complementary tool to visual methods.
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
Fisheries
Ori Frid, Mai Lazarus, Shahar Malamud, Jonathan Belmaker, Ruthy Yahel
Summary: Fully protected Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have positive ecological effects on fish populations, including an increase in the abundance of large fishes and groupers. MPAs are also resilient to marine invasions and ocean warming. A study conducted in four MPAs along the Levantine Israeli coast found higher numbers of large fishes and groupers in protected areas, as well as higher total and commercial fish biomass in the largest and oldest MPA. There was also an increase in the number of groupers over time, both within and outside MPAs. However, there was no clear evidence of a decrease in the number of exotic species within MPAs.
MEDITERRANEAN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Chris Pickens, Tracey Smart, Marcel Reichert, George R. Sedberry, Daniel McGlinn
Summary: Marine protected areas (MPAs) are considered essential for ecosystem and fisheries conservation, but there is ongoing debate about their effectiveness. A study on deep-water partially-protected MPAs in the Southeast United States showed some positive impacts on certain fish species, but the protection of managed reef fish abundance was not significant. Enforcement and compliance within MPAs should be further examined to determine the success of deep-water MPAs as a conservation strategy for fisheries management in the Southeast United States.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Esther Arcas, Carlos Valle, Aitor Forcada
Summary: The use of marine protected areas can effectively achieve conservation and fisheries management objectives. However, the budget cut during the economic crisis in Spain has had serious consequences for the maintenance of marine protected areas, leading to decreased abundance and biomass of certain fish species. Monitoring efforts are crucial for the conservation of marine species.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Constance M. Schere, Kate Schreckenberg, Terence P. Dawson, Nikoleta Jones
Summary: Equitable governance and management are crucial for effective protection of natural resources and human well-being, but tend to be overlooked in protected area assessments. This study evaluated governance and equity in MPAs in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland using the SAGE toolkit, revealing a lack of communication between MPA authorities and local stakeholders and emphasizing the need for inclusive co-management partnerships.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Economics
Christopher Costello, Renato Molina
Summary: This study examines the exploitation of transboundary fisheries and finds that the establishment of transboundary marine protected areas can increase profits and stock biomass, and even overcome non-cooperation between countries.
RESOURCE AND ENERGY ECONOMICS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Laura L. Griffiths, Dominic A. Andradi-Brown, Gabby N. Ahmadia, Purwanto, Awaludinnoer, Dale Bryan-Brown, Christopher J. Brown
Summary: Researchers developed a modeling approach to evaluate the performance of two MPAs in Raja Ampat, Indonesia by predicting the impact of fishing pressure and biophysical conditions on fish biomass recovery. They found that historical fishing pressure, wave exposure, and proximity to coastal habitats were important factors determining pre-MPA fish biomass. Their study suggests that evaluating MPA performance requires considering the link to historical fishing pressure and biophysical conditions.
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
Biodiversity Conservation
David Villegas-Rios, Joachim Claudet, Carla Freitas, Even Moland, Susanna Huneide Thorbjornsen, Alexandre Alonso-Fernandez, Esben M. Olsen
Summary: This study investigated the impact of individual variation in mobility on the risk of crossing Marine Protected Area (MPA) borders and exposure to spillover fisheries for fish populations. The research found that fish with larger and more dispersed home ranges were at higher risk when their home range centroid was closer to MPA borders. Additionally, individuals spending more time at risk were more likely to be harvested by fisheries outside the MPA, highlighting the importance of considering individual behavior when designing and implementing MPAs.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Caren Barcelo, J. Wilson White, Louis W. Botsford, Alan Hastings
Summary: This research developed a two-patch, age-structured population model based on a renewal equation approach to predict the impact of increased fish abundance in no-take MPAs on fishery yields. Results show that the time-lag between peak biomass in MPAs and increased fishery yields outside MPAs is predictable, depending on factors such as growth patterns and fishing mortality. This model provides broadly applicable guidance for understanding the relationship between MPAs and fishery yields.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
J. Emmett Duffy, Pamela L. Reynolds, Christoffer Bostroem, James A. Coyer, Mathieu Cusson, Serena Donadi, James G. Douglass, Johan S. Ekloef, Aschwin H. Engelen, Britas Klemens Eriksson, Stein Fredriksen, Lars Gamfeldt, Camilla Gustafsson, Galice Hoarau, Masakazu Hori, Kevin Hovel, Katrin Iken, Jonathan S. Lefcheck, Per-Olav Moksnes, Masahiro Nakaoka, Mary I. O'Connor, Jeanine L. Olsen, J. Paul Richardson, Jennifer L. Ruesink, Erik E. Sotka, Jonas Thormar, Matthew A. Whalen, John J. Stachowicz
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
J. S. Eklof, S. Donadi, T. van der Heide, E. M. van der Zee, B. K. Eriksson
JOURNAL OF SEA RESEARCH
(2015)
Article
Oceanography
Sieglind Wallner-Hahn, Maricela de la Torre-Castro, Johan S. Eklof, Martin Gullstrom, Nyawira A. Muthiga, Jacqueline Uku
OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT
(2015)
Article
Ecology
Johan S. Eklof, Jonathan N. Havenhand, Christian Alsterberg, Lars Gamfeldt
Review
Biology
Paul S. Maxwell, Johan S. Eklof, Marieke M. van Katwijk, Katherine R. O'Brien, Maricela de la Torre-Castro, Christoffer Bostrom, Tjeerd J. Bouma, Dorte Krause-Jensen, Richard K. F. Unsworth, Brigitta I. van Tussenbroek, Tjisse van der Heide
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2017)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Orjan Ostman, Johan Eklof, Britas Klemens Eriksson, Jens Olsson, Per-Olav Moksnes, Ulf Bergstrom
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2016)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Frauke Ecke, Oded Levanoni, Joachim Audet, Peter Carlson, Karin Eklof, Goran Hartman, Brendan McKie, Jose Ledesma, Joel Segersten, Amelie Truchy, Martyn Futter
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2017)
Article
Ecology
Filip Svensson, Erik Karlsson, Anna Gardmark, Jens Olsson, Anders Adill, Jenny Zie, Pauline Snoeijs, Johan S. Eklof
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Egle Jakubaviciute, Ulf Bergstrom, Johan S. Eklof, Quiterie Haenel, Sarah J. Bourlat
Article
Biology
S. Donadi, A. N. Austin, U. Bergstrom, B. K. Eriksson, J. P. Hansen, P. Jacobson, G. Sundblad, M. van Regteren, J. S. Eklof
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2017)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Johan Eklof, Asa Austin, Ulf Bergstrom, Serena Donadi, Britas D. H. K. Eriksson, Joakim Hansen, Goran Sundblad
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Asa N. Austin, Joakim P. Hansen, Serena Donadi, Johan S. Eklof
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elisa Alonso Aller, Narriman S. Jiddawi, Johan S. Eklof
Article
Environmental Studies
Sieglind Wallner-Hahn, Fia Molander, Gloria Gallardo, Sebastian Villasante, Johan S. Eklof, Narriman S. Jiddawi, Maricela de la Torre-Castro