Definitions of Marine protected areas (MPAs) vary from exclusionary to inclusionary. A recently revised IUCN definition of what constitutes a protected area (PA) emphasizes the conservation purpose of geographical space. ‘‘Conservation’’ is defined as the in situ maintenance of ecosystems and natural and semi-natural habitats and of viable populations of species in their natural surroundings. Prohibition or restriction of activities within a PA is usually part of the in situ maintenance. For marine sites this engenders unique management opportunities and challenges.
Temporal trends indicate that overexploitation and habitat loss have been the main human drivers of historical changes in Mediterranean biodiversity. At present, habitat loss and degradation, followed by fishing impacts, pollution, climate change, eutrophication, and the establishment of alien species are the most important threats and affect the greatest number of taxonomic groups. All these impacts are expected to grow in importance in the future, especially climate change and habitat degradation. Marine experts and conservationists see great hope in the opportunities provided by MPAs to counter threats to marine ecosystems. In this book, the effects of the MPAs are illustrated based on detailed analyses of the recent case studies of Mediterranean charismatic species, like monk seal, dolphins, groupers, seagrass meadows and birds. This book examines the use of MPAs as a way to restore and maintain healthy marine environments by contributing to the overall protection of critical marine habitats and resources in Mediterranean. It suggest the best way to manage the existing ones after providing case studies showing the actual situation of them and how to establish the future MPAs in the Mediterranean. This book is the precious instrument, full of conservation strategies based on MPA networks aimed at enhancing resilience and it may be the most effective tool to limit the negative impacts of the complex suites of threats on marine ecosystems under future scenarios of frequent and/or persistent disturbance.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Mediterranean Sea Biodiversity
Chapter 2 The Perspective for Marine Conservation in the Mediterranean Sea
Chapter 3 Mediterranean Conservation Implications based on Environmental and Human Gradients
Chapter 4 MPAs Posidonia oceanica Meadows Health Indicate that Legal Protection is not Enough
Chapter 5 Evidences from a Mediterranean MPA Show that Protection Enhances Community and Habitat Stability
Chapter 6 Fish Biodiversity and Fisheries in Mediterranean MPAs
Chapter 7 The Recent Case Study about Dusky Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) Indicate Low Connectivity between Mediterranean MPAs
Chapter 8 Response of Rocky Reef Top Predators (Serranidae: Epinephelinae) in and Around MPAs
Chapter 9 Species-Specific Export of Fish Naïveté from a No-Take Marine Protected Area in a Coastal Recreational Hook and Line Fishery
Chapter 10 Marine Protected Area or marine polluted area? The case study of the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba)
Chapter 11 Transboundary Conservation Efforts Are Needed for the Critically Endangered Species like Balearic Shearwater
Chapter 12 Socioeconomic Impacts of the National Marine Park of Alonissos (Greece) and Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus)
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This work explores the status of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Mediterranean, investigating how ecological and human factors influence marine biodiversity, conservation effectiveness, and the connectivity of species populations. The primary objective is to evaluate whether current management strategies effectively protect biodiversity and restore fish stocks, while addressing the socioeconomic implications for local communities.
- The impact of environmental gradients and human activities on marine biodiversity.
- The effectiveness of varying degrees of protection in MPAs on fish biomass and habitat stability.
- Connectivity patterns in MPAs and their role in the recruitment of exploited species like the dusky grouper.
- Social and economic impacts of marine park establishment on coastal human populations.
- Conservation challenges and strategies regarding transboundary endangered species.
Auszug aus dem Buch
Introduction to Mare mediterraneum
The Mare mediterraneum (in Latin) describes the Mediterranean as a ‘‘sea in the middle of the land.’’ This basin is the largest (2,969,000 km2) and deepest (average 1,460 m, maximum 5,267 m) enclosed sea on Earth (Figure 1a). Situated at the crossroads of Africa, Europe, and Asia, the Mediterranean coasts have witnessed the flourishing and decline of many civilizations. The region was an important route for merchants and travelers of ancient times, allowing for trade and cultural exchange, and today it is notable for contributions to global economy and trade. Its coasts support a high density of inhabitants, distributed in 21 modern states, and it is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, with 200 million tourists per year (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2009).
The Mediterranean Sea connects through the Strait of Gibraltar to the Atlantic Ocean in the west and through the Dardanelles to the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea in the northeast. In the southeast, the Suez Canal links the Mediterranean to the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean (Figure 1a).
Summary of Chapters
Chapter 1 Mediterranean Sea Biodiversity: An overview of the Mediterranean as a biodiversity hotspot, detailing species estimates, threats like pollution and alien species, and spatial patterns of richness.
Chapter 2 The Perspective for Marine Conservation in the Mediterranean Sea: Examines the taxonomy of 117 Mediterranean MPAs and their relationship with cumulative human impacts.
Chapter 3 Mediterranean Conservation Implications based on Environmental and Human Gradients: Establishes a baseline for rocky reef ecosystem structure and evaluates the effectiveness of different MPA management levels.
Chapter 4 MPAs Posidonia oceanica Meadows Health Indicate that Legal Protection is not Enough: Analyzes the health of Posidonia oceanica meadows in relation to anthropization, concluding that legal protection is insufficient without broader management.
Chapter 5 Evidences from a Mediterranean MPA Show that Protection Enhances Community and Habitat Stability: Demonstrates that protection increases resistance and resilience in coastal assemblages, reducing temporal variability.
Chapter 6 Fish Biodiversity and Fisheries in Mediterranean MPAs: Explores the spatial congruence between fish biodiversity hotspots, fishing pressure, and existing MPAs.
Chapter 7 The Recent Case Study about Dusky Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) Indicate Low Connectivity between Mediterranean MPAs: Uses a biophysical model to assess connectivity and larval dispersal for the dusky grouper, highlighting a lack of a well-connected network.
Chapter 8 Response of Rocky Reef Top Predators (Serranidae: Epinephelinae) in and Around MPAs: Evaluates the response of grouper populations to protection and the presence of biomass gradients across reserve boundaries.
Chapter 9 Species-Specific Export of Fish Naïveté from a No-Take Marine Protected Area in a Coastal Recreational Hook and Line Fishery: Investigates the behavioral differences in fish vulnerability to fishing gear in and around MPAs.
Chapter 10 Marine Protected Area or marine polluted area? The case study of the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba): Applies a multidisciplinary tool to assess toxicological stress in striped dolphins within the Pelagos Sanctuary.
Chapter 11 Transboundary Conservation Efforts Are Needed for the Critically Endangered Species like Balearic Shearwater: Details the distribution and conservation needs of the critically endangered Balearic shearwater, emphasizing the necessity of transboundary efforts.
Chapter 12 Socioeconomic Impacts of the National Marine Park of Alonissos (Greece) and Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus): Assesses the social and economic perceptions of local residents and visitors regarding the National Marine Park of Alonissos.
Keywords
Mediterranean Sea, Marine Protected Areas, Biodiversity, Conservation, Fishery Management, Connectivity, Habitat Degradation, Climate Change, Posidonia oceanica, Dusky Grouper, Ecotoxicology, Socioeconomic Impact, Endangered Species, Species Naïveté, Balearic Shearwater
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this publication?
This book provides an integrated analysis of Mediterranean marine protected areas (MPAs), covering their role in biodiversity conservation, their effectiveness in restoring ecosystems, and the complex human-environment interactions that impact their success.
What are the primary themes discussed in the book?
Key themes include ecosystem-based management, the impact of anthropogenic threats (pollution, climate change, fishing), the effectiveness of marine reserves in maintaining stability, connectivity for population persistence, and the socioeconomic challenges of park management.
What is the main objective of the research presented?
The book aims to offer actionable insights to managers and scientists for improving the design and management of MPA networks, balancing biological conservation goals with economic realities and future environmental shifts.
Which scientific methods are primarily employed?
The authors employ a variety of methods, including meta-analyses, underwater visual censuses, biophysical modeling for larval connectivity, social impact assessments (questionnaires), and molecular biomarker analyses for ecotoxicological studies.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The book covers a range of scientific disciplines, including marine biology and ecology, conservation science, spatial planning, and socioeconomics, focusing on case studies like seagrass health, grouper populations, and striped dolphin toxicological profiles.
Which keywords characterize this book?
The research is characterized by terms such as marine biodiversity, Mediterranean Sea, MPAs, conservation strategy, connectivity, sustainable management, species vulnerability, and ecosystem health.
Why is connectivity significant for Mediterranean groupers?
Connectivity is essential for ensuring that larval dispersal maintains population persistence across different MPAs, given the species' sedentary adult life stage and high vulnerability to fishing pressure.
How do marine protected areas impact local fishing communities?
As illustrated in the case study of Alonissos, MPAs can lead to conflict with local fishing communities due to perceived or actual loss of access to traditional grounds, highlighting the need for better communication and collaborative management.
- Quote paper
- Associate Professor Rigers Bakiu (Author), 2016, Marine protected areas in the Mediterranean Sea, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/338774
