Unravelling Complex Interaction among Coastal Management and Marine Biodiversity: A Case Study in Southern Spain

Abstract

In this work, we use an integrated modelling approach to explore the complex relationships and interconnections in marine ecosystems among anthropogenic pressures, biodiversity loss, delivery of ecosystem services (ES), and implemented conservation and management strategies. We selected 60 indicators at regional (34), national (12) and international (14) scales that provided long-term information during the 1985–2019 time frame. The results show a decline in marine biodiversity and its associated provisioning services despite the increasing number of responses delivered by a society which are not enough and/or need more time to exert their effects and highlight the pressure on exploited species of unknown conservation status. The decline in Provisioning ES is explained by the decrease in the overall biomass of the captures, mostly large and carnivorous commercially-targeted species and the increase in the number of small-bodied fish species included in the IUCN Red List. The degradation of ecosystem integrity and the continuing loss of biodiversity affect the ability of the ecosystem to provide Regulating ES. The Cultural ES delivery, related to artisanal fisheries, is better preserved in the Gulf of Cádiz. We conclude how the implementation of new management regulations is needed and should be developed through participatory processes to protect and improve marine ecosystem status.

Enhancing marine resilience in temperate coastal systems requires the implementation of multiple management strategies

“…We surveyed 300 locations within five marine ecoregions of the world (Spalding et al, 2007): South European Atlantic Shelf, Azores Canaries Madeira, Saharan Upwelling, Alboran Sea, and Western Mediterranean, (hereafter, Atlantic, Canaries, Sahara, Alboran, and Mediterranean, respectively; Fig.1). We focused on these temperate coastal systems because although they host a rich biodiversity gradient and are threatened by multiple anthropogenic impacts (Coll et al, 2010; Alcorlo et al, 2023), the resilience of these systems remains little researched (Sanabria-Fernandez et al, 2019). Moreover, these systems hold significant historical and cultural importance for local communities and represent important fishing grounds and diving spots for national and international tourists.…”