Q 18 - How to identify priority areas for preserving/restoring reef-forming species such as oysters Lanice conchilega or mussels?#

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Operational approaches

ESE1 - Ecological toolkit#

Practices: Scoping Data collection and presentation Analysis and diagnosis Prioritisation and designation Implementation and management Monitoring and evaluation
Spatial scales: Transboundary / sea basin National Regional / local
Protection regimes: Strict protection Non-strict protection
Marine zones: Coastal zone

Criteria classes: 1.1.1 Vulnerability 1.1.2 Stability 1.1.3 Functional hotspots 1.1.4. Life cycle critical areas 1.2 Structural 1.4 Ecological status

Criteria

Operational approaches: (Method) Dispersion and connectivity modelling (Tool) Pressure assessment of MARine activities (PMAR) module (Method) Trade-off for MPA Design - Conservation and economic development (Method) Trait-based Vulnerability Assessment

Implementation details

To answer this question, we highly recommend to follow the guidance flow (CAMBRA et al., 2024) which is designed to answer to this type of management question. The core analysis is a sensitivity-based vulnerability assessment and the definition of a portfolio of scenarios. To support the process, for benthic species, a census list of traits of importance, with an already filled matrix for British Isles and the main species of interest including Lanice conchilega and different mussel species, can be found in the Biological Traits Information Catalogue (BIOTIC) (Marine Life Information Network. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 2006).

Prioritizing areas depends mostly on indicators of stability, connectivity, presence and abundance (hotspots). It is important to identify productive areas and healthy ecosystems (assess the good status).

The question relates to several criteria from ESE1. Sensitivity for example is very important in this case, with the goal of identifying priority areas for preservation/restoration of reef-forming species, as it is the degree to which a species is influenced by one or more aspects of climate (Dawson et al., 2011) or anthropogenic stressors, with sensitivity directly related to the species’ inner traits and is used in Vulnerability assessments. Other criteria in the Vulnerability and Stability macro-criteria of the ESE1 can be relevant for the answering of this question such as: Traits-based Adaptivity, Resilience/Recovery, Resistance, Species Vulnerability to Climatic and Anthropogenic stressors, Ecosystem Integrity, General Adaptivity and Stability.

Critical life cycle areas macro-criteria includes connectivity related criteria such as larval source and recruitment areas (larval sink areas), which is an important element to be taken into account when seeking to preserve/restore mussels. Abundance hotspots of a functionally important species such as Lanice conchilega strongly relates to the defined criteria of Presence of key functional species and key functional areas (e.g. larval source areas).

The second criteria type, not directly depending on the ecological part, is the feasibility of the protection depending on the intensity and importance of human activities and the possibility to agree to a trade-off decision and ensure monitoring and compliance (cf. ESE3).

For restoration purpose, several guidelines exist that synthetize the best known practices at least for mussels. Performing a review of this guidance to select the most relevant methods regarding local conditions and the development of a dedicated monitoring in the chosen area is highly recommended.

MSPdF Classification: Marine & Coastal Environment -> Ecosystem: Species Marine & Coastal Environment -> Ecosystem: Habitat Ecosystem Services: Regulation & Maintenance (Biotic) - 2.2.3.1 Pest control (including invasive species) Ecosystem Services: Regulation & Maintenance (Biotic) - 2.2.3.2 Disease control Legal, Governance & Planning: Fisheries Legal, Governance & Planning: Aquaculture Legal, Governance & Planning: Conservation (i.e. Protected areas) Legal, Governance & Planning: Strategic - Regional

Notes

Cambra et al (2024). Guidance for including climate change scenarios in protection and prioritization strategies for Marine Protected Areas development. Deliverable D3.3, under the WP3 of MSP4BIO project (GA n°101060707)