Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Katharina Teschke, Rebecca Konijnenberg, Hendrik Pehlke, Thomas Brey
Summary: This study compares different reserve configurations used in the process of designing a Weddell Sea MPA in Antarctica using univariate and multivariate statistics. The results show that different target level settings for conservation features significantly affect the configuration of the solutions. The mixed-target scenario was found to be the most flexible and well balanced, providing multiple options for consideration.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ibon Galparsoro, Angel Borja
Summary: Effective marine management involves evaluating tradeoffs between protection and economic costs, with integrated approaches to achieve nature conservation and sustainability targets. A systematic conservation planning method was used to identify cost-effective priority marine areas, showing that existing marine protected areas are close to achieving protection targets and can be extended. Higher costs are associated with more protection features, but their cost/effectiveness is higher, with extension of existing MPAs being the most cost-effective scenarios. The approach proposed can assist in identifying conservation gaps and ecosystem components for ecosystem-based marine spatial planning.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Vanessa M. Adams, Nadya Dimitrova, Hugh P. Possingham, James R. Allan, Caitlin D. Kuempel, Nate Peterson, Alu Kaiye, Malcolm Keako, Vivitskaia J. D. Tulloch
Summary: Systematic conservation planning identifies priority areas and requires incremental scheduling of actions to ensure the construction of a reserve network that meets all conservation targets.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amalia Kyprioti, Vasiliki Almpanidou, Anastasia Chatzimentor, Stelios Katsanevakis, Antonios D. Mazaris
Summary: Rising ocean temperatures impact ecosystems and biodiversity redistribution. A study in the Mediterranean Sea found that protected marine areas are highly vulnerable to climate change, with low climate and community stability in the majority of protected waters. Only a small percentage of protected surfaces exhibited high stability based on climate and community indices.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Charlotte K. Whitney, William W. L. Cheung, Natalie C. Ban
Summary: Climate change affects marine species distribution, but MPA planning rarely considers projected range shifts. This study evaluated trends in marine species occurrence in British Columbia using species distribution models and climate data. Results showed that many BC marine parks will lose species under climate change scenarios, posing challenges for protecting important marine species.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Xianyan Wang, Kongkiat Kittiwattanawong, Chalatip Junchompoo, Watchara Sakornwimon, Mo Chen, Fuxing Wu, Suwat Jutapruet, Shiang-Lin Huang
Summary: Holistic marine biodiversity conservation involves mapping critical habitats for marine protected area networks and using species distribution modelling and MARXAN software to protect marine ecosystems efficiently.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2021)
Article
Oceanography
Linda R. Harris, Stephen D. Holness, Stephen P. Kirkman, Kerry J. Sink, Prideel Majiedt, Amanda Driver
Summary: Ecosystem-based marine spatial planning (MSP) plays a crucial role in securing marine biodiversity and ecological processes. South Africa's experience in spatial planning on land has been applied to develop the first National Coastal and Marine Map of Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) and Ecological Support Areas (ESAs), serving as the basis for including the marine biodiversity sector in MSP.
OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Katharina Teschke, Patricia Brtnik, Stefan Hain, Heike Herata, Alexander Liebschner, Hendrik Pehlke, Thomas Brey
Summary: The article provides an overview of the current status of marine protected areas (MPAs) globally, with a focus on the initiatives to establish large-scale MPAs in international waters. The planning process of the Weddell Sea Marine Protected Area (WSMPA) is discussed, highlighting the collaborative, science-based approach taken. The authors suggest that while scientific best practice is important, achieving consensus and political drive is also crucial in the establishment of MPAs in the Southern Ocean.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jose Don T. De Alban, Bryan Po Ian Leong, Ruben Venegas-Li, Grant M. Connette, Johanness Jamaludin, Kyaw Thinn Latt, Patrick Oswald, Carl Reeder, Edward L. Webb
Summary: The existing PA network in Tanintharyi Region in Myanmar underrepresented threatened wildlife species and forest types, especially mangroves. By expanding protection areas, including specific strategies for mangrove forests, the target representation for all wildlife species and forest types can be achieved. However, large oil palm agribusiness concessions may compete with conservation interests in priority conservation areas.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Linda R. Harris, Stephen D. Holness
Summary: Systematic conservation plans are becoming more prevalent as countries strive to identify priorities for meeting international conservation commitments. This study aimed to develop a robust heuristic approach for setting biodiversity targets in marine systematic conservation planning (SCP). The results showed that our heuristic targets outperformed fixed targets in terms of feature representation and cost efficiency. The approach developed in this study can be widely applied and adapted to other contexts.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Dominic Muenzel, Kay Critchell, Courtney Cox, Stuart J. Campbell, Raymond Jakub, Wahid Suherfian, La Sara, Iliana Chollett, Eric A. Treml, Maria Beger
Summary: This study used larval dispersal connectivity to design networks of no-take reserves in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Different methods, such as decision trees and Marxan, were used to consider the setting and expansion of marine reserve networks at different scales. The study found that there were differences in priority areas for protection and expected benefits among different species, and that reef quality should also be taken into account when interpreting larval dispersal patterns and evaluating conservation measures.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hector Abarca, Alejandra Moran-Ordonez, Dani Villero, Daniel Guinart, Lluis Brotons, Virgilio Hermoso
Summary: Despite the conservation efforts made in the European Union, the decline of biodiversity continues. The Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 aims to address this by expanding protected areas and improving their effectiveness. This study demonstrates the use of a spatial optimisation tool to design a multi-zoning scheme for the Natura 2000 network, integrating species and habitat distributions as well as human activities. The findings show little trade-offs between nature conservation and human uses, but spatial trade-offs may arise as management zones become more fragmented for larger human use targets.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Armando J. B. Santos, C. Bellini, E. A. P. Santos, G. Sales, R. Ramos, D. H. G. Vieira, M. A. Marcovaldi, Anthony Gillis, N. Wildermann, M. Mills, T. Gandra, M. M. P. B. Fuentes
Summary: The study found that the majority of high use areas for hawksbill turtles in Brazil are exposed to threats and not protected by MPAs, with a mismatch caused by lack of clear conservation goals, limited spatial information, and mismatch in conservation initiatives scale.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jing Li, Yiyan Sun, Li Wang, Yuan Wang
Summary: The study identifies priority conservation areas in Anhui Province based on systematic conservation planning theory and suggests expanding the protected area network to enhance conservation benefits for biodiversity and key ecosystem services.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Luca Giuseppe Costanzo, Giuliana Marletta, Giuseppina Alongi
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the coralligenous flora in the Marine Protected Area of Isole Ciclopi in Sicily, comparing current data with past studies to assess environmental changes and the effectiveness of MPA in protecting this habitat. Through ROV surveys and laboratory analysis, an increase in local biodiversity was observed, along with a rise in Non-Indigenous Species, warm-water species, and Rhodophyta. These changes were linked to reduced water transparency and rising seawater temperature. Continued monitoring is necessary to evaluate the MPA's effectiveness in safeguarding the biodiversity hotspot.
Article
Ecology
Debbie A. Chamberlain, Hugh P. Possingham, Stuart R. Phinn
Summary: Marine protected areas are designated to reduce human impacts on biodiversity and enhance fish production, but there is inadequate consideration of other ecological processes in coastal and marine conservation planning. Incorporating ecological processes in conservation planning is important for the persistence of coastal and marine ecosystems, although there is significant variation in scope and method. Future research should focus on identifying appropriate ecosystem objectives and incorporating multiple sources of uncertainty into conservation planning.
Editorial Material
Biodiversity Conservation
Keila Stark, Vanessa Adams, Christopher J. Brown, Alienor Chauvenet, Katrina Davis, Edward T. Game, Benjamin S. Halpern, John Lynham, Bonnie Mappin, Kim Selkoe, James E. M. Watson, Hugh P. Possingham, Carissa J. Klein
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Emma Ladouceur, Jennifer McGowan, Patrick Huber, Hugh Possingham, Davide Scridel, Roel van Klink, Peter Poschlod, Johannes Hans C. Cornelissen, Costantino Bonomi, Borja Jimenez-Alfaro
Summary: Researchers developed a framework to optimize plant seed mixes based on prioritizing plant species attributes to support different ecological restoration objectives. They found that trophic relationships, ecosystem functions and services can be captured more efficiently through objective-based prioritization using the functional identity of plant species.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Simonetta Fraschetti, Erika Fabbrizzi, Laura Tamburello, Maria C. Uyarra, Fiorenza Micheli, Enric Sala, Carlo Pipitone, Fabio Badalamenti, Stanislao Bevilacqua, Jordi Boada, Emma Cebrian, Giulia Ceccherelli, Mariachiara Chiantore, Giovanni D'Anna, Antonio Di Franco, Simone Farina, Sylvaine Giakoumi, Elena Gissi, Ivan Guala, Paolo Guidetti, Stelios Katsanevakis, Elisabetta Manea, Monica Montefalcone, Maria Sini, Valentina Asnaghi, Antonio Calo, Manfredi Di Lorenzo, Joaquim Garrabou, Luigi Musco, Alice Oprandi, Gil Rilov, Angel Borja
Summary: The study aimed to assess the environmental status of Mediterranean ecosystems, especially the impact of Marine Protected Areas on achieving Good Environmental Status. Results showed that most MPAs in the Western Mediterranean are in good/high status, but the overall environmental status is moderate, with macroalgal forests in poor condition.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
James R. Allan, Hugh P. Possingham, Scott C. Atkinson, Anthony Waldron, Moreno Di Marco, Stuart H. M. Butchart, Vanessa M. Adams, W. Daniel Kissling, Thomas Worsdell, Chris Sandbrook, Gwili Gibbon, Kundan Kumar, Piyush Mehta, Martine Maron, Brooke A. Williams, Kendall R. Jones, Brendan A. Wintle, April E. Reside, James E. M. Watson
Summary: Ambitious conservation efforts are necessary to address the global biodiversity crisis. This study estimates the minimum land area required to protect important biodiversity areas, ecologically intact areas, and optimal locations for representation of species ranges and ecoregions. At least 64 million square kilometers of land would need conservation attention, which is 44% of the terrestrial area. Immediate action is needed as 1.3 million square kilometers of this land is at risk of conversion for intensive human land uses by 2030.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Isaac Brito-Morales, David S. Schoeman, Jason D. Everett, Carissa J. Klein, Daniel C. Dunn, Jorge Garcia Molinos, Michael T. Burrows, Kristine Camille Buenafe, Rosa Mar Dominguez, Hugh P. Possingham, Anthony J. Richardson
Summary: Protecting the ocean from increasing threats requires the establishment of high-seas marine reserve networks that optimize biodiversity, minimize climate change exposure, and reduce fisheries conflict. A planning approach that considers data from different depth domains and climate scenarios has identified climate-smart conservation areas covering 6% of the high seas, serving as a nucleus for developing a comprehensive network of high-seas marine reserves.
NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Marcelo O. Soares, Luis Ernesto Arruda Bezerra, Margareth Copertino, Beatriz Diniz Lopes, Kcrishna Vilanova de Souza Barros, Cristina Almeida Rocha-Barreira, Rafaela Camargo Maia, Natalia Beloto, Luiz C. Cotovicz Jr
Summary: This article discusses the knowledge and gaps regarding blue carbon ecosystems (BCEs) in Brazil, emphasizing the importance of protecting these ecosystems and improving carbon stock estimates. The shortage of studies on Brazilian BCEs compared to the global knowledge on the Blue Carbon Framework is highlighted. The article also mentions poorly understood potential sources and sinks of carbon, as well as the significance of assessing total carbon stocks and recent environmental law changes. Priorities for improving knowledge on BCEs and their biogeochemical cycles are outlined, along with the potential impact on reducing atmospheric CO2 levels.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Ecology
Junior Novera, Salit Kark
Summary: Backyard conservation is a community-driven approach that combines traditional knowledge, land management practices, and scientific knowledge to enhance conservation efforts. The islands of Papua New Guinea serve as an important example of the role of backyard conservation in culturally diverse and complex societies.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Benjamin S. Halpern, Carl Boettiger, Michael C. Dietze, Jessica A. Gephart, Patrick Gonzalez, Nancy B. Grimm, Peter M. Groffman, Jessica Gurevitch, Sarah E. Hobbie, Kimberly J. Komatsu, Kristy J. Kroeker, Heather J. Lahr, David M. Lodge, Christopher J. Lortie, Julie S. S. Lowndes, Fiorenza Micheli, Hugh P. Possingham, Mary H. Ruckelshaus, Courtney Scarborough, Chelsea L. Wood, Grace C. Wu, Lina Aoyama, Eva E. Arroyo, Christie A. Bahlai, Erin E. Beller, Rachael E. Blake, Karrigan S. Bork, Trevor A. Branch, Norah E. M. Brown, Julien Brun, Emilio M. Bruna, Lauren B. Buckley, Jessica L. Burnett, Max C. N. Castorani, Samantha H. Cheng, Sarah C. Cohen, Jessica L. Couture, Larry B. Crowder, Laura E. Dee, Arildo S. Dias, Ignacio J. Diaz-Maroto, Martha R. Downs, Joan C. Dudney, Erle C. Ellis, Kyle A. Emery, Jacob G. Eurich, Bridget E. Ferriss, Alexa Fredston, Hikaru Furukawa, Sara A. Gagne, Sarah R. Garlick, Colin J. Garroway, Kaitlyn M. Gaynor, Angelica L. Gonzalez, Eliza M. Grames, Tamar Guy-Haim, Ed Hackett, Lauren M. Hallett, Tamara K. Harms, Danielle E. Haulsee, Kyle J. Haynes, Elliott L. Hazen, Rebecca M. Jarvis, Kristal Jones, Gaurav S. Kandlikar, Dustin W. Kincaid, Matthew L. Knope, Anil Koirala, Jurek Kolasa, John S. Kominoski, Julia Koricheva, Lesley T. Lancaster, Jake A. Lawlor, Heili E. Lowman, Frank E. Muller-Karger, Kari E. A. Norman, Nan Nourn, Casey C. O'Hara, Suzanne X. Ou, Jacqueline L. Padilla-Gamino, Paula Pappalardo, Ryan A. Peek, Dominique Pelletier, Stephen Plont, Lauren C. Ponisio, Cristina Portales-Reyes, Diogo B. Provete, Eric J. Raes, Carlos Ramirez-Reyes, Irene Ramos, Sydne Record, Anthony J. Richardson, Roberto Salguero-Gomez, Erin Satterthwaite, Chloe Schmidt, Aaron J. Schwartz, Craig R. See, Brendan D. Shea, Rachel S. Smith, Eric R. Sokol, Christopher T. Solomon, Trisha Spanbauer, Paris Stefanoudis, Beckett W. Sterner, Vitor Sudbrack, Jonathan D. Tonkin, Ashley R. Townes, Mireia Valle, Jonathan A. Walter, Kathryn Wheeler, William R. Wieder, David R. Williams, Marten Winter, Barbora Winterova, Lucy C. Woodall, Adam S. Wymore, Casey Youngflesh
Summary: Synthesis research in ecology and environmental science is important for improving understanding, advancing theory, identifying research priorities, and supporting management strategies. A virtual workshop with participants from different countries and disciplines was held to discuss how synthesis can address key questions and themes in the field in the next decade. Seven priority research topics and two issues regarding synthesis practices were identified, providing a strategic vision for future synthesis in ecology and environmental science.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Robyn James, Jonathan R. B. Fisher, Chelsea Carlos-Grotjahn, Marissa S. Boylan, Baigalmaa Dembereldash, Meaza Z. Demissie, Crystal Diaz De Villegas, Bridget Gibbs, Ruth Konia, Kristen Lyons, Hugh Possingham, Cathy J. Robinson, Tiantian Tang, Nathalie Butt
Summary: Globally, women are underrepresented in addressing the climate and biodiversity loss crises. A survey among conservation and science staff at The Nature Conservancy revealed that men have more influence in conservation and science decision making, women face gender bias and multiple barriers in their conservation careers, and experience harassment and discrimination. Men perceive the sector as more equitable for women than women themselves. Gender equality does not eliminate systemic inequity, which can be exacerbated by intersectional issues. Recommendations include workplace and cultural change, recruitment improvements, pay transparency, and career development policies.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Oceanography
Hannah Allan, Noam Levin, Salit Kark
Summary: Coastal regions are home to a large number of people and are present in most countries. These areas have diverse marine and terrestrial environments, supporting rich biodiversity and providing important ecosystem services. Mapping and quantifying coastal stressors globally can help direct conservation efforts in coastal areas and provide a better understanding of the distribution of stressors across coasts worldwide.
OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Andrew M. Rogers, Francoise Lermite, Andrea S. Griffin, Berndt J. van Rensburg, Salit Kark
Summary: This study investigated the influence of the invasive Indian myna and native brushtail possum on urban nest box use by native birds in Australia. They found that possums were the most common nest box users and their occupancy was associated with higher nesting failure rates. The presence of common mynas did not have a significant negative impact on other birds, but better nest box design is needed to provide more nesting opportunities for native birds.
Article
Geography
Noam Levin, Salit Kark
Summary: This paper quantifies land cover and vegetation changes on Norfolk Island over the past 250 years, using historical maps and aerial photos. The study reveals that non-agricultural vegetation cover was lowest during the 1940s, after which it has expanded. The analysis also shows a consistent land cover pattern on the island since 1840, indicating the importance of historical maps in understanding landscape dynamics.
CARTOGRAPHIC JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hubert Cheung, Yutong Phoenix Feng, Amy Hinsley, Tien Ming Lee, Hugh P. Possingham, Stephen N. Smith, Laura Thomas-Walters, Yifu Wang, Duan Biggs
Summary: Political will is crucial for the success of environmental policies, and aligning environmental solutions with the core interests of policymakers makes them more politically feasible. Understanding decision-makers' political agendas helps identify areas where political will already exists, enabling environmental objectives to be achieved.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Natalya M. Maitz, Martin F. J. Taylor, Michelle S. Ward, Hugh P. Possingham
Summary: Australia's national environmental legislation, the EPBC Act, is criticized for its failure to mitigate the national extinction crisis, as it does not adequately protect threatened species and habitats.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2023)