Transcript Priority-Setting Exercises at Various Scales

Priority-Setting Exercises
at Various Scales
Tundi Agardy, Ph.D.
Marine Biological Valuation Workshop
2-4 Dec 2004
Interpretation of Task
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Address how to undertake biological valuation
Not how to map biota or build databases
Attaching value to a site = determining priority
areas
Experience with priority-setting
Two extremes in data-driven, objective analyses:
1. Global scale: CI Hotspots
2. Local scale: Asinara Marine Park zoning
CI Marine Hotspots
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74 LMEs provided the framework
Analysis of biodiversity, including species
richness, endemism, habitat diversity
Analysis of productivity and other ecological
processes
Analysis of degree of threat
Resulting Priority Areas
15 Highest Priority Areas
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Antillean/Bahamian LME
Californian LME
Celebes and Sulu Seas
Galapagos LME
Gulf of Guinea
Indonesian Archipelago
Mediterranean Sea
Melanesian LME
Micronesian Islands
Northeast US/ Gulf of Maine
Peruvian LME
Red Sea
Sea of Cortes
Somali Current LME
W Madagascar/ W Indian Gyre LME
Asinara Marine Park Zoning
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Optimization using a MARXAN precursor
Concordance analysis looking at maximizing
certain kinds of objectives
Presenting various sorts to zoning scenarios to
target different objectives (biodiversity
conservation, fisheries use, recreational, use,
tourism development, etc.)
Asinara A1 Zone Priorities
Data used in concordance mapping
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Geology & geomorphology
Benthic assemblages
Fish species diversity
Nursery areas
Patella feruginea, Caretta caretta sites
Potential cetacean and Foca monacha sites
Marine bird rookeries
Archeologically important sites
Scientific research sites
Traditional and commercial fishing sites
Aquaculture sites
Recreational sites
Navigation areas
Industrial installations; security zones
Tourism infrastructure
Results highlighting priorities vary
Depending on what ``values`` are considered most
important
Learning from these two extremes
1. Scale matters
2. Knowing objectives a priori is crucial
Examples from delphic processes
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LAC Priority-setting Exercise = scale matters
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Mid-Atlantic Priority Oceans Areas = objectives
matter
LAC Geographic Priorities
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Nine biogeographic provinces, with regions in
each
Top priorities selected in each region
Mid-Atlantic Priority Ocean Areas
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14 experts
Criteria:
biodiversity
high abundance
migratory pathways
physical features*
nursery/spawning areas
endangered/threatened species
fisheries
Map notable for degree of non-overlap!
A Possible Solution
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Hierarchical System Spanning Scales
Different Objectives lead to focusing of
conservation spotlight within each scale
Example: NAMPAN
Largest scale (Continental): Ecoregions, with goal
of representation
Within Ecoregions: Priority Conservation Areas,
with goal of ecosystem-based management
Within PCAs: ecologically critical areas, with
goals of biodiversity conservation or
fisheries management, focusing on processes
Within ECAs: Specific MPAs
Role of Focal Species
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Marine Species of Common Conservation
Concern (MSCCC) – priorities for different
countries
Umbrella function – choose species whose
protection will protect a whole suite of other
species
Span all scales, from local through ecoregions
and Large Marine Ecosystems
Other Hierarchical Examples
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Tanzania MPA Network
Emerging Mediterranean Initiative
(building on SPAMI)
Thank you!