Page 44 - climate-change2013

Climate adaptation opportunities:

Towards a future common strategy for MPAs

Global warming is predicted to last for several centuries 2. Enhancing the capacity
even if greenhouse gas emissions decline substantially, for effective management
making further degradation of the marine ecosystem
and some degree of change inevitable. Adaptation, as
it moderates vulnerability to climate change, is therefore The ability of management to help their protected ar-
an essential strategy for reducing the severity and cost eas adapt to climate change will be crucial to the fu-
of climate change impacts. Although marine communi- ture of Mediterranean MPAs. Incorporating adaptation
ties will adapt naturally, the importance of MPA envi- into MPA management requires an overall view of the
ronments means that influencing the direction of adap- marine area (and any adjacent land areas) and inte-
tation at some sites would be beneficial and, in some gration across all sectors, including commercial and
cases, essential to protect their biodiversity values. recreational fisheries, tourism, science, etc. Through
partnerships with scientists, communities and other
Adaptation actions and strategies provide a comple- coastal stakeholders, MPA managers can take part in
mentary approach to reducing the likelihood of adverse efforts to maintain the capacity of the marine environ-
impacts. In recent years, some individual Mediterranean ment to cope with climate change.
MPAs have started to gather information on the impact
of climate change in their areas, but there have not yet MPAs need to be evaluated to determine how effec-
been any significant efforts to establish a regional strat- tive they are in the face of climate change, in order
egy to increase the capacity of MPAs to adapt, manage to improve their management (Tempesta and Otero,
and monitor impact. To help focus this future strategy at 2013). Hence, monitoring plays a vital role in climate
the Mediterranean MPA network level, a few key action change adaptation. It can alert managers to changes
areas are highlighted below. in the environment and their associated impacts and
consequences in the marine communities.
1. Conserving and managing MPA 3. Increasing knowledge
habitats under climate change and information on impacts
for adaptive management
MPA managers have a range of options for mitigat-
ing the effects of climate change and adapting to that
change (see summary by Di Carlo and Otero, 2012; also The effective adaptive management of MPAs requires
Keller et al., 2009; NRC, 2010). The options available for both long-term monitoring and collaboration with local
terrestrial zones include maintaining vegetation along and regional partners to implement this programme.
beaches and the coast to create natural shading; reus- Some of the indicators described previously and the
ing and recycling waste; incorporating climate change monitoring strategies proposed will have to be refined
considerations into the planning of infrastructure main- and enhanced on the basis of future scientific knowl-
tenance and replacement; and minimizing coastal mod- edge.
ifications so as to retain natural habitats that protect wa-
ter and species and regulate local climate. Monitoring results can be used to identify key vulner-
able habitats and communities and, as information is
Identifying and mapping high-priority marine areas for gathered, to aid in developing effective management
conservation — particularly those currently experienc- strategies. The most important of such adaptation
ing rapid climate impact and those that act as refugia strategies will include creating no-take zones; adjust-
and are likely to be resilient to climate change and/or ing buffer zones to protect areas of upwelling and
support a broad array of species — will help in prior- nursery habitats that provide high marine productiv-
itizing future conservation efforts in the marine environ- ity; identifying and incorporating resilient sites (refugia)
ment of MPAs. into the management design to facilitate the recovery
of less resistant areas; and reducing local impacts and
Additionally, managers should assess the possibility of stressors in projected high-risk (vulnerable) areas.
restricting the movement of invasive non-native species
and reducing non-climate stressors in vulnerable habi- By increasing communication with scientists and
tats. Appropriate actions include limiting fishing gear participating in meetings and forums, managers can
and species-specific catches. It is especially important ensure that research objectives are aligned with their
to control species that are detrimental to sensitive fish MPAs’ needs and priorities for addressing climate
species and to encourage those that perform major change. The participation of MPAs in research pro-
ecological roles or compete with alien species, as such grammes might allow these goals to be incorporated
measures can assist in adapting to disturbances while in research funding opportunities and in feedback to
maintaining the resilience of marine habitats. the managers.

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