Quantifying larval export from South African marine reserves

摘要: Marine reserves may not only protect populations within their borders but also subsidize harvested outside through the spillover of either adults or planktonic larvae. The conser- vation benefits marine are well documented, and a growing body evidence suggests that large from can enhance fisheries for highly mobile species. How- ever, proposed benefit to larval export, crucial many species without adults, remains controversial. We tested export by estimating production recruitment patterns intertidal mussel, Perna perna, inside— range distances outside—3 in South Africa. Within 2 reserves, mussels were more abundant larger than with significantly higher expected production. Recruitment was highest inside these declined exponentially distance. In third region, where harvest reserve boundaries is carefully managed community members, no differences versus found. Where enhanced, we used inverse relationship distance determine spatial scale magnitude export. Our results suggest enhances fished areas several kilometers. This study supports idea increased borders, even immobile adults.