Study

Conservation benefits of marine reserves are undiminished near coastal rivers and cities

  • Published source details Huijbers C.M., Connolly R.M., Pitt K.A., Schoeman D.S., Schlacher T.A., Burfeind D.D., Steele C., Olds A.D., Maxwell P.S., Babcock R.C. & Rissik D. (2015) Conservation benefits of marine reserves are undiminished near coastal rivers and cities. Conservation Letters, 8, 312-319.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Designate a Marine Protected Area and prohibit all types of fishing

Action Link
Subtidal Benthic Invertebrate Conservation
  1. Designate a Marine Protected Area and prohibit all types of fishing

    A systematic review of 150 studies published between 1977 and 2012 of marine protected areas prohibiting all fishing (no-take reserves) across the world (Huijbers et al. 2015) found that they had more invertebrates compared to fished areas outside. Abundance data were not reported, but the analysis outcome was reported as statistical model results. However, the effect of the reserves on invertebrate abundances differed by trophic group. Abundances were greater inside the reserves compared to outside the reserves for omnivorous and filter-feeding invertebrates, but not for carnivorous and herbivorous invertebrates. The proximity of the reserves to coastal influences (landmasses, urban centres, rivers, populations) did not affect the positive effect of marine reserves on invertebrate abundance. The selected studies compared invertebrate abundances inside and outside 113 no-take reserves. A total of 1,416 abundance comparisons were used in a meta-analysis.

    (Summarised by: Anaëlle Lemasson)

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