A safety network against regional population collapse: mature subpopulations in refuges distributed across the landscape

Jack, Lucy; Wing, Stephen R.

doi:10.1890/es12-00221.1

Cited by 15 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Our data support the idea that networks of marine reserves are necessary to account for the spatial scales over which population dynamics of key species operate in kelp forest systems, in order to match the scale of fishing pressure with effects on regional population dynamics (Quinn et al. , Wing , Jack and Wing ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

“…Size distributions of P. colias were severely truncated, consistent with higher fishing pressure, in the Marlborough Sounds compared to those in Fiordland (S. Kolodzey, unpublished data ). Here, maintenance of old‐growth size distributions of important sea urchin predators such as rock lobsters and large fish can be as important to ecosystem function as density (Jack and Wing , , ). The observed patterns among reserve and fished regions in the present study corroborate similar investigations that concluded the most heavily exploited species are the most likely to respond to reserve protection (Nardi et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, Schiel ). As many reef‐associated fishes and large rock lobsters have limited home ranges, they typically respond well to spatial management (Barrett ), as evidenced by widespread increases in abundance and size structure of otherwise exploited species within New Zealand's marine reserves (Willis and Anderson , Pande and Gardner , Jack and Wing , Costello ). Marine reserves have been shown to have positive long‐term effects on kelp forest community structure in northern New Zealand (Babcock et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Regional differences in kelp forest interaction chains are influenced by both diffuse and localized stressors

et al. 2019

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On temperate rocky reefs, overexploitation of high‐trophic‐level omnivores can result in the decimation of kelp forest habitats by releasing sea urchin population networks from top‐down control. However, the local dynamics of the resulting trophic cascades are context‐dependent. Here, we investigate the community‐wide patterns associated with both diffuse stressors and localized protection of high‐trophic‐level omnivores in kelp forest ecosystems by comparing communities among marine reserves and fished areas in two contrasting regions in terms of fishing intensity and land‐based stressors, Fiordland and the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. We find higher densities of the potential sea urchin predators, red rock lobsters (Jasus edwardsii) and banded wrasse (Notolabrus fucicola), in the Fiordland region, and larger effect sizes of fishing on the exploited fish communities in the Marlborough Sounds. Patterns in sea urchin density were consistent with the idea that high‐trophic‐level species, such as large fish and rock lobsters, regulate sea urchin population density, with lower densities of Evechinus chloroticus observed inside marine reserves, in both regions. Nevertheless, densities of E. chloroticus were generally high (>3 m2) in the Marlborough Sounds, likely above a grazing threshold in both fished and reserve sites. The proportion of habitat where sea urchins were absent was 29% in Marlborough Sounds and 90% in Fiordland. Consequently, we observe 49% barren habitat in Fiordland vs. 70%, and a larger effect of fishing on kelp community structure, in the Marlborough Sounds, where fishing effect sizes and land‐based stressors were more severe. We propose that a combination of diffuse stressors including regional overexploitation of important sea urchin predators, sedimentation, and warming of coastal waters likely contributed to regional differences in the responses of trophic interaction chains to localized reductions in fishing within marine reserves. The present study highlights how physiologically stressed and modified kelp forest ecosystems are more susceptible to detrimental phase shifts at a regional spatial scale.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Regional differences in kelp forest interaction chains are influenced by both diffuse and localized stressors

et al. 2019

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“…Given our current understanding of species and stock recovery times this need to renew and lengthen closures is hardly surprising. For long lived, slow maturing species, such as the rock lobster targeted by the Wharekahika closure a two year closure is unlikely to be long enough for changes to be observed particularly if the original biomass has been severely reduced [53].…”

Section: The Two-year Limitmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flexibility in temporary fisheries closure legislation is required to maximise success

Gnanalingam

Hepburn

2015

Marine Policy

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“…No‐take MPAs have been used to conserve and rebuild spawning biomass in species as diverse as Atlantic cod ( Gadhus morhua ) (Moland et al. 2013) and spiny lobsters ( Panulirus argus, Jasus edwardsii ) (Bertelsen & Matthews 2001; Cox & Hunt 2005; Jack & Wing 2013). Marine protected areas can also contribute to larval dispersal and the movement of adults beyond their boundaries (Di Lorenzo et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conserving spawning stocks through harvest slot limits and no‐take protected areas

Gnanalingam

Gaff

Butler

2020

Conservation Biology

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The key to the conservation of harvested species is the maintenance of reproductive success. Yet for many marine species large, old, individuals are targeted despite their disproportionate contribution to reproduction. We hypothesized that a combination of no-take marine protected areas (MPAs) and harvest slot limits (maximum and minimum size limits) would result in the conservation of large spawning individuals under heavy harvest. We tested this approach under different harvest intensities with a 2-sex, stage-structured metapopulation model for the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus). P. argus is intensively harvested in the Caribbean, and in many localities large, mature individuals no longer exist. No-take MPAs and harvest slot limits combined, rebuilt and maintained large mature individuals even under high harvest pressure. The most conservative model (a 30% MPA and harvest slot limit of 75-105 mm) increased spawner abundance by 5.53E 12 compared with the fishing status quo at the end of 30 years. Spawning stock abundance also increased by 2.76-9.56E 12 individuals at a high harvest intensity over 30 years with MPAs alone. Our results demonstrate the potential of MPAs and harvest slot limits for the conservation of large breeding individuals in some marine and freshwater environments. Decisions on which management strategy best suits a fishery, however, requires balancing what is ecologically desirable with what is economically and socially feasible.

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A safety network against regional population collapse: mature subpopulations in refuges distributed across the landscape

Cited by 15 publications

References 47 publications

Regional differences in kelp forest interaction chains are influenced by both diffuse and localized stressors

Regional differences in kelp forest interaction chains are influenced by both diffuse and localized stressors

Flexibility in temporary fisheries closure legislation is required to maximise success

Conserving spawning stocks through harvest slot limits and no‐take protected areas

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