Biodiversity - Protected areas/Natura 2000

Title

Distance-based assessment of open country Quiet Areas in Greece

Reference

Landscape and Urban Planning
Volume 104, Issue 2, February 2012, Pages 279–288

Author(s)

Nefta-Eleftheria P. Votsi, Evangelia G. Drakou, Antonios D. Mazaris, Athanasios S. Kallimanis, John D. Pantis

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

The need to preserve natural quietness, as a resourceful land protection strategy, has increased with the need to implement the EU's Environmental Noise Directive (END, 2002/49/EC) at a national level. We implemented distance-based criteria with view to defining potential Quiet Areas (QAs) in open country of Greece.
Residential areas, industrial sites and traffic noise are the main environmental noise sources considered according to END's prerequisites. Also following the particular characteristics of the country (e.g. leisure facilities) we considered recreational areas and construction sites for our analysis, as well as the cumulative effects of noise sources. The spatial analysis of QAs in open country indicated that the higher values of clustering are found in places of high biodiversity value (as these were characterized by the Habitat's Directive 92/43/EEC), thus multiplying the need for QAs to be preserved.
Although distance-based criteria are considerably less accurate than true noise levels calculations, our research serves as a first step for the estimation of QAs in open country at the national level, before moving on to on-site measurements for the complete definition of QAs (at the regional level), thus providing a rapid, comprehensible but above all a cost-effective solution for the assessment of QAs by management responsibles.

Policy theme(s)

Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Protected areas/Natura 2000
Noise >> Noise management >> Noise mapping and monitoring
Noise >> Noise management >> Noise reduction measures and technologies

Keywords

Quietness; Distance-based criteria; Soundscape; Environmental Noise Directive;
Protected areas

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204611003264
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nvotsi@bio.auth.gr

Title

Birds as biodiversity surrogates: will supplementing birds with other taxa improve effectiveness?

Reference

Journal of Applied Ecology, 2012.
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2011.02094.x

Author(s)

Larsen, F.W., Bladt, J., Balmford, A., Rahbek, C.,

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

Most biodiversity is still unknown, and therefore, priority areas for conservation typically are identified based on the presence of surrogates, or indicator groups. Birds are commonly used as surrogates of biodiversity owing to the wide availability of relevant data and their broad popular appeal. However, some studies have found birds to perform relatively poorly as indicators. We therefore ask how the effectiveness of this approach can be improved by supplementing data on birds with information on other taxa.
Here, we explore two strategies using (i) species data for other taxa and (ii) genus- and family-level data for invertebrates (when available). We used three distinct species data sets for sub-Saharan Africa, Denmark and Uganda, which cover different spatial scales, biogeographic regions and taxa (vertebrates, invertebrates and plants).
We found that networks of priority areas identified on the basis of birds alone performed well in representing overall species diversity where birds were relatively speciose compared to the other taxa in the data sets. Adding species data for one taxon increased surrogate effectiveness better than adding genus- and family-level data. It became apparent that, while adding species data for other taxa increased overall effectiveness, predicting the best-performing additional taxon was difficult. Finally, we demonstrate that increasing overall effectiveness required supplementary data for several additional taxa.
Synthesis and applications.  Good surrogates of biodiversity are necessary to help identify conservation areas that will be effective in preventing species extinctions. Birds perform fairly well as surrogates in cases where birds are relatively speciose, but overall effectiveness will be improved by adding additional data from other taxa, in particular from range-restricted species. Conservation solutions with focus on birds as biodiversity surrogate could therefore benefit from also incorporating species data from other taxa.

Policy theme(s)

Biodiversity >> Threats to biodiversity >> Endangered species       
Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Protected areas/Natura 2000

Keywords

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2011.02094.x/abstract
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frankwugtlarsen@gmail.com

Title

Temperature-driven coral decline: the role of marine protected areas.

Reference

Global Change Biology,
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2012.02658.x

Author(s)

Selig, E.R., Casey, K.S., Bruno, J.F., 2012.

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

Warming ocean temperatures are considered to be an important cause of the degradation of the world's coral reefs. Marine protected areas (MPAs) have been proposed as one tool to increase coral reef ecosystem resistance and resilience (i.e. recovery) to the negative effects of climate change, yet few studies have evaluated their efficacy in achieving these goals. We used a high resolution 4 km global temperature anomaly database from 1985-2005 and 8040 live coral cover surveys on protected and unprotected reefs to determine whether MPAs have been effective in mitigating temperature-driven coral loss. Generally, protection in MPAs did not reduce the effect of warm temperature anomalies on coral cover declines. Shortcomings in MPA design, including size and placement, may have contributed to the lack of a MPA effect. Empirical studies suggest that corals that have been previously exposed to moderate levels of thermal stress have greater adaptive capacity and resistance to future thermal stress events. Existing MPAs protect relatively fewer reefs with moderate anomaly frequencies, potentially reducing their effectiveness. However, our results also suggest that the benefits from MPAs may not be great enough to offset the magnitude of losses from acute thermal stress events. Although MPAs are important conservation tools, their limitations in mitigating coral loss from acute thermal stress events suggests that they need to be complemented with policies aimed at reducing the activities responsible for climate change.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Biodiversity impacts
Marine ecosystems >> Biodiversity
Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Protected areas/Natura 2000

Keywords

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2012.02658.x/abstract
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e.selig@conservation.org

Title

Reference

Volume 4, Issue 6, pages 474–482, December 2011
EU funded

Author(s)

William R. T. Darwall, Robert A. Holland, Kevin G. Smith, David Allen,
Emma G. E. Brooks et al

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

Human population growth and economic development threaten the integrity of freshwater ecosystems globally, reducing their ability to support biodiversity and provide ecosystem services. However, our knowledge of freshwater biodiversity is fragmented due to bias in conservation research toward primarily terrestrial or charismatic taxonomic groups. Here, we utilize the most comprehensive assessment of freshwater biodiversity for an entire continent to examine the implications of this shortfall. Results indicate that groups that have been the focus of most conservation research are poor surrogates for patterns of both richness and threat for many freshwater groups, and that the existing protected area network underrepresents freshwater species. Areas of highest species richness and threat are congruent with areas where reliance on ecosystem services by humans and pressures placed on freshwater ecosystems are high. These results have implications for targets to reduce biodiversity loss and safeguard associated ecosystem services on which millions of people depend globally.

Policy theme(s)

Biodiversity >> Ecosystem services
Biodiversity >> Threats to biodiversity >> Endangered species
Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Protected areas/Natura 2000

Keywords

Freshwater; biodiversity; Africa; surrogates; poverty; livelihoods; threatened; red list; protected areas; key biodiversity areas

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1755-263X.2011.00202.x/abstract
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robert.holland@iucn.org

Title

The future of terrestrial mammals in the Mediterranean basin under climate change

Reference

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 27 September 2011 vol. 366 no. 1578 2681-2692

Author(s)

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The Mediterranean basin is considered a hotspot of biological diversity with a long history of modification of natural ecosystems by human activities, and is one of the regions that will face extensive changes in climate. For 181 terrestrial mammals (68% of all Mediterranean mammals), we used an ensemble forecasting approach to model the future (approx. 2100) potential distribution under climate change considering five climate change model outputs for two climate scenarios. Overall, a substantial number of Mediterranean mammals will be severely threatened by future climate change, particularly endemic species. Moreover, we found important changes in potential species richness owing to climate change, with some areas (e.g. montane region in central Italy) gaining species, while most of the region will be losing species (mainly Spain and North Africa). Existing protected areas (PAs) will probably be strongly influenced by climate change, with most PAs in Africa, the Middle East and Spain losing a substantial number of species, and those PAs gaining species (e.g. central Italy and southern France) will experience a substantial shift in species composition.

Policy theme(s)

Biodiversity >> Threats to biodiversity >> Endangered species
Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Protected areas/Natura 2000
Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Biodiversity impacts

Keywords

climate change; ensemble modelling; extinction risk; species distribution models; protected areas

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/366/1578/2681
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luigi.maiorano@unil.ch

Title

Ongoing global biodiversity loss and the Reed to move beyond protected areas: a review of the technical and practical shortcomings of protected areas on land and sea

Reference

Mar Ecol Prog Ser 434: 251-266, 2011

Author(s)

Camilo Mora, Peter F. Sale

Study type

Peer review study

Abstract

A leading strategy in international efforts to reverse ongoing losses in biodiversity is the use of protected areas. We use a broad range of data and a review of the literature to show that the effectiveness of existing, and the current pace of the establishment of new, protected areas will not be able to overcome current trends of loss of marine and terrestrial biodiversity. Despite local successes of well-designed and well-managed protected areas proving effective in stemming biodiversity loss, there are significant shortcomings in the usual process of implementation of protected areas that preclude relying on them as a global solution to this problem. The shortcomings include technical problems associated with large gaps in the coverage of critical ecological processes related to
individual home ranges and propagule dispersal, and the overall failure of such areas to protect against the broad range of threats affecting ecosystems. Practical issues include budget constraints, conflicts with human development, and a growing human population that will increase not only the extent of anthropogenic stressors but the difficulty in successfully enforcing protected areas. While efforts towards improving and increasing the number and/or size of protected areas must continue, there is a clear and urgent need for the development of additional solutions for biodiversity loss, particularly
ones that stabilize the size of the world's human population and our ecological demands on biodiversity.

Policy theme(s)

Biodiversity >> Threats to biodiversity >> Human impacts
Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Protected areas/Natura 2000

Keywords

Land protected areas, Marine protected areas, Effectiveness, Conservation
Biodiversity loss, Human population, Human consumption

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v434/p251-266/
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moracamilo@hotmail.com

Title

Identification of landscapes for drafting Natura 2000 network Management Plans: A case study in Sicily

Reference

Landscape and Urban Planning
Volume 101, Issue 3, 15 June 2011, Pages 228-243

Author(s)

Patrizia Russo, Laura Carullo, Lara Riguccio and Giovanna Tomaselli

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Article 6 of the Habitats Directive provides appropriate Management Plans (MPs) for Natura 2000 network sites which comply with ecological requirements. In Sicily, between 2000 and 2006, 58 Management Plans were drawn up involving 219/233 regional sites. These drafts had to refer to regional directives, drawing on European Union and national guidelines. They require knowledge and intervention not only with reference to aspects of site biology, but also to landscape components. Landscapes should be described 'considering them as the synthesis of physical, biological, historical and cultural characteristics'. This work presents the results of a method proposed by ECOVAST (European Council for the Village and Small Town), based on a visual cognitive analysis for identifying landscapes which was tested while drafting the Natura 2000 site MP 'Torre Manfria, Biviere of Gela and seafront area' on Sicily's southern coast. The work consists of: drafting thematic maps for preliminary territorial analysis; producing a layout of routes from which the landscape was observed; identifying Landscape Units and filling analysis and assessment charts; drafting final results. The results show that the adapted ECOVAST method for the cognitive phase of the MP provided a satisfactory level of information about the landscape as expressed in the European Landscape Convention, the main reference for European Union states. The defined Landscape Units and their relative characteristics provided support for geographically referencing the 'management actions'. Adapting the ECOVAST method helped identify the landscape as having an explicit role in the ELC within a plan type which subordinates protecting the landscape.

Policy theme(s)

Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Habitat management
Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Protected areas/Natura 2000

Keywords

SCIs and SPAs, Site analysis, Methodological instrument

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204611000946
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patrusso@unict.it

Title

The influence of environmental characteristics on fish larvae spatial patterns related to a marine protected area: The Medes islands (NW Mediterranean)

Reference

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
Volume 92, Issue 4, 20 May 2011, Pages 521-533

Author(s)

Àngel López-Sanz , Vanessa Stelzenmüller Francesc Maynou and Ana Sabatés

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

We assessed the linkages between environmental variables and the spatio-temporal distribution patterns of larval abundance of coastal fish assemblages within and outside the Medes Islands marine protected area (MPA; NW Mediterranean) to explore possible fisheries effects such as larvae export of the latter. We analyzed small-scale fish larvae distribution of 28 representative taxa from the rocky fish assemblage and combined the former in different groups with the help of cluster analysis. Further we assessed the influence of selected abiotic variables on group and species distributions using Generalized Additive Models (GAM's). We found a high level of variability in the response of larvae groups and species to environmental variables over the two studied periods (spring and summer); depth and habitat of the adults being the most important factors. In addition, distance to the MPA was found as an important variable in defining the location of larvae of strictly coastal species. Our results provided evidence of larval export of three commercial species affected by the MPA (Epinephelus marginatus, Pagellus erythrinus and Scorpaena porcus). Thus our study contributes to the few empirical assessments of larvae export from MPAs and adds to the understanding of the functioning of MPAs as fisheries management tools. Nevertheless, in the future integrated assessments of fisheries effects of MPAs are required that measure the effect of larvae and biomass export on increased fishing yield while taking into account fishing effort dynamics.

Policy theme(s)

Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Protected areas/Natura 2000
Marine ecosystems >> Biodiversity

Keywords

GAM, temporal variations, fish larvae, environmental conditions, marine parks, geographical distributions, NW Mediterranean

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272771411000473
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alopez@icm.cat

Title

Combined Effects of Levels of Protection and Environmental Variables at Different Spatial Resolutions on Fish Assemblages in a Marine Protected Area

Reference

Conservation Biology
Volume 25, Issue 1, pages 105-114, February 2011

Author(s)

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The links between species-environment relations and species' responses to protection are unclear, but the objectives of marine protected areas (MPAs) are most likely to be achieved when those relations are known and inform MPA design. The components of a species' habitat vary with the spatial resolution of the area considered. We characterized areas at two resolutions: 250 m2 (transect) and approximately 30,000 m2 (seascape). We considered three categories of environmental variables: substrate type, bottom complexity, and depth. We sought to determine at which resolution habitat characteristics were a better predictor of abundance and species composition of fishes and whether the relations with environmental variables at either resolution affected species' responses to protection. Habitat features accounted for a larger proportion of spatial variation in species composition and abundances than differences in protection status. This spatial variation was explained best by habitat characteristics at the seascape level than at the transect level. Species' responses to protected areas were specific to particular seascape characteristics, primarily depth, and bottom complexity. Our method may be useful for prioritizing marine areas for protection, designing MPAs, and monitoring their effectiveness. It identified areas that provided natural shelter, areas acting as buffer zones, and areas where fish species were most responsive to protection. The identification of such areas is necessary for cost-effective establishment and monitoring of MPAs.

Policy theme(s)

Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Protected areas/Natura 2000
Marine ecosystems >>Biodiversity

Keywords

buffer zone; full protection; geographic information system (GIS); landscape ecology; marine reserve; partial protection; seascape sampling unit

Entry Source:

N/A

Referred to in EC doc:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2010.01586.x/abstract There is a fee to view this study in full

Contact the study author at:

Joachim.claudet@gmail.com

Title

Reference

Conservation Biology
Volume 25, Issue 1, pages 105-114, February 2011

Author(s)

N/A

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Abstract: The links between species-environment relations and species' responses to protection are unclear, but the objectives of marine protected areas (MPAs) are most likely to be achieved when those relations are known and inform MPA design. The components of a species' habitat vary with the spatial resolution of the area considered. We characterized areas at two resolutions: 250 m2 (transect) and approximately 30,000 m2 (seascape). We considered three categories of environmental variables: substrate type, bottom complexity, and depth. We sought to determine at which resolution habitat characteristics were a better predictor of abundance and species composition of fishes and whether the relations with environmental variables at either resolution affected species' responses to protection. Habitat features accounted for a larger proportion of spatial variation in species composition and abundances than differences in protection status. This spatial variation was explained best by habitat characteristics at the seascape level than at the transect level. Species' responses to protected areas were specific to particular seascape characteristics, primarily depth, and bottom complexity. Our method may be useful for prioritizing marine areas for protection, designing MPAs, and monitoring their effectiveness. It identified areas that provided natural shelter, areas acting as buffer zones, and areas where fish species were most responsive to protection. The identification of such areas is necessary for cost-effective establishment and monitoring of MPAs.

Policy theme(s)

Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Protected areas/Natura 2000
Marine ecosystems >> Biodiversity

Keywords

buffer zone, full protection, geographic information system (GIS), landscape ecology, marine reserve, partial protection, seascape sampling unit

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2010.01586.x/suppinfo
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Contact the study author at:

joachim.claudet@gmail.com 

Title

Reserve design for uncertain responses of coral reefs to climate change

Reference

DOI: 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2010.01562.x
Ecology Letters Volume 14, Issue 2, pages 132-140, February 2011

Author(s)

Peter J. Mumby, Ian A. Elliott,C. Mark Eakin, William Skirving, Claire B. Paris, Helen J. Edwards, Susana Enríquez, Roberto Iglesias-Prieto, Laurent M. Cherubin, Jamie R. Stevens

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Rising sea temperatures cause mass coral bleaching and threaten reefs worldwide. We show how maps of variations in thermal stress can be used to help manage reefs for climate change. We map proxies of chronic and acute thermal stress and develop evidence-based hypotheses for the future response of corals to each stress regime. We then incorporate spatially realistic predictions of larval connectivity among reefs of the Bahamas and apply novel reserve design algorithms to create reserve networks for a changing climate. We show that scales of larval dispersal are large enough to connect reefs from desirable thermal stress regimes into a reserve network. Critically, we find that reserve designs differ according to the anticipated scope for phenotypic and genetic adaptation in corals, which remains uncertain. Attempts to provide a complete reserve design that hedged against different evolutionary outcomes achieved limited success, which emphasises the importance of considering the scope for adaptation explicitly. Nonetheless, 15% of reserve locations were selected under all evolutionary scenarios, making them a high priority for early designation. Our approach allows new insights into coral holobiont adaptation to be integrated directly into an adaptive approach to management.

Policy theme(s)

Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Protected areas/Natura 2000
Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Biodiversity impacts
Marine ecosystems >> Biodiversity

Keywords

Acclimation, adaptation, algorithm, connectivity, conservation, coral, marine reserve

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2010.01562.x/abstract
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Contact the study author at:

p.j.mumby@uq.edu.au