From MAPs to MPAs: ecologically-rigorous design principles for offshore Marine Protected Areas based on sea mammal distribution and abundance

从 MAP 到 MPA：基于海洋哺乳动物分布和丰度的近海海洋保护区的生态严格设计原则

• 批准号: NE/F012357/1
• 金额: $ 8.66万
• 依托单位: University of St Andrews
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Training Grant
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2008 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=NE%2FF012357%2F1
• 关键词: MAPs; MPAs; ecologically; rigorous; design

Context of the Research: Measurement of the distribution and abundance of marine mammals has been identified as one of the SOFI priority areas (SO14). This proposed studentship is specifically aimed at this objective but also takes the 'next step' in the assessment of these spatial data, by investigating how to use maps of marine mammal distribution and abundance to inform policy decisions, namely the development of offshore marine protected areas (MPAs). The development of offshore MPAs is increasingly advocated, particularly with the increasing demands on the marine environment, most recently due to marine renewable energy sources. However, there are currently few guidelines available as to how to base decisions on location, let alone size, and spacing of such protected areas. Different criteria are often suggested to guide the design of reserves but problems could be foreseen with many of these. For example, identifying MPAs based on hotspots of animal use might give priority to commoner species and neglect those that are of most concern (endangered or threatened species). Similarly, identifying MPAs based on high biodiversity (areas where the most species are found) may suggest protecting areas where species overlap, but due to avoidance between these species, these may be at the boundaries of their ranges and therefore represent only marginal habitat for them. Conducted in collaboration with the Sea Mammal Research Unit, this studentship will use their datasets on the distribution and abundance of seals and whales in UK offshore waters. This project aims to develop an ecologically-based computer framework for the design of offshore MPAs for marine mammals around Britain based on quantitative objectives, with the broader aim of providing a generic framework that can be used in other areas and for other species. Aims and Objectives: 1) To develop a model framework for the objective identification and design of offshore MPAs based on ecological first principles; 2) To inform the model with analysis of existing data on the abundance and distribution of marine mammals and human activities around Britain; 3) To investigate the impact of a range of different objectives and constraints on the resulting selections of MPAs; 4) To develop objective criteria that could ultimately be used to advise national and international policy on marine protected areas for wide ranging marine mammals. Potential Application and Benefits: The primary outcome of this project will be the assessment of priorities and constraints for offshore MPA design for marine mammals. This will be of primary interest to policy-makers and the major project deliverable to this community will be software for use in dynamic ongoing assessment and prioritisation of areas based on updates for species maps, population estimates and variations in anthropogenic risk. This software will also lend itself well to public exhibition, illustrating how management of the open ocean can be achieved. Within the Oceans 2025 community, this work is also likely to be of interest to the Sustainable Marine Resources theme, particularly elements concerning marine spatial planning and analysis of marine policy drivers to enhance decision-support. We aim to forge links with these researchers, and to feed the data and outcomes associated with this project into this broader analysis.

研究背景：海洋哺乳动物的分布和丰度测量已被确定为SOFI优先领域之一（SO 14）。这项拟议的奖学金专门针对这一目标，但也采取了评估这些空间数据的“下一步”，通过调查如何使用海洋哺乳动物分布和丰度的地图，为政策决策提供信息，即开发近海海洋保护区（MPA）。人们越来越多地主张开发近海海洋保护区，特别是随着对海洋环境的需求日益增加，最近是由于海洋可再生能源。然而，目前很少有指导方针，如何根据地点，更不用说大小和间隔的这种保护区的决定。不同的标准往往被建议，以指导设计的储备，但问题可以预见，其中许多。例如，根据动物使用的热点确定海洋保护区可能会优先考虑普通物种，而忽视那些最受关注的物种（濒危或受威胁物种）。同样，根据高生物多样性（发现最多物种的地区）确定海洋保护区可能意味着保护物种重叠的地区，但由于这些物种之间的回避，这些地区可能位于其范围的边界，因此仅代表边缘栖息地。与海洋哺乳动物研究单位合作进行，这个学生将使用他们的数据集的分布和丰富的海豹和鲸鱼在英国近海沃茨。该项目旨在开发一个基于生态的计算机框架，用于根据定量目标为英国周围的海洋哺乳动物设计近海海洋保护区，其更广泛的目标是提供一个可用于其他地区和其他物种的通用框架。宗旨和目标：（1）根据生态第一原则，为近海海洋保护区的客观确定和设计制定一个模型框架;（2）通过分析英国周围海洋哺乳动物的丰度和分布以及人类活动的现有数据，为模型提供信息;（3）调查一系列不同目标和限制对海洋保护区选择的影响;（4）制定客观标准，最终可用于就各种海洋哺乳动物的海洋保护区问题向国家和国际政策提供咨询意见。潜在应用和效益：该项目的主要成果将是评估海洋哺乳动物近海MPA设计的优先事项和限制因素。这将是政策制定者的主要兴趣，可交付给这一社区的主要项目将是用于动态持续评估的软件，并根据物种分布图、人口估计和人为风险变化的更新对地区进行优先排序。该软件还将很好地用于公开展览，说明如何实现对公海的管理。在海洋2025社区内，这项工作也可能与可持续海洋资源主题有关，特别是与海洋空间规划和分析海洋政策驱动因素以加强决策支持有关的内容。我们的目标是与这些研究人员建立联系，并将与该项目相关的数据和成果纳入更广泛的分析。