Ecological effects of full and partial protection in the crowded Mediterranean Sea: a regional meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT: Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a cornerstone of marine conservation. Globally, the number and coverage of MPAs are increasing, but MPA implementation lags in many human-dominated regions. In areas with intense competition for space and resources, evaluation of the effects of MPAs is crucial to inform decisions. In the human-dominated Mediterranean Sea, fully protected areas occupy only 0.04% of its surface. We evaluated the impacts of full and partial protection on biomass and density of fish assemblages, some commercially important fishes, and sea urchins in 24 Mediterranean MPAs. We explored the relationships between the level of protection and MPA size, age, and enforcement. Results revealed significant positive effects of protection for fisheries target species and negative effects

SUBMITTER: Giakoumi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5566470 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature