Pelagic bioregionalisation using open-access data for better planning of marine protected area networks

摘要: Abstract Systematic conservation planning (SCP) to design marine protected areas (MPAs) has traditionally focused on species distributions or benthic habitat features that drive the determination of priorities. Pelagic ecosystem protection is usually incidental because these ecosystems are often data-poor and difficult visualize in a context. ecosystems, however, face increasing cumulative impacts from threats such as overfishing climate change, precautionary approach required protect both known unknown biodiversity patterns processes. Data-driven pelagic classifications important when for absence sufficient in-situ data. In this study, we describe method creating bioregional map upper-mixed layer South Africa's realm. We selected relevant variables parameters best reflect key properties at broad, meso, local scales. conducted hierarchal cluster analysis using open-access sea surface temperature (SST), chlorophyll-a (chl-a), net primary productivity (NPP), mean level anomalies (MSLA), seabed slope depth The resulting delineates three bioregions subdivided into seven biozones sixteen habitats within continental Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This was incorporated SCP proposed expanded MPA network includes offshore meets National objectives. will increase realm (>30 m depth) EEZ 0.002% 6.0%. contend analyses based publicly available remote-sensing data useful identification habitats, especially robust biological unavailable, framework reporting, inclusion systematic representative network. Further research should focus modelling mapping permanence different spatio-temporal scales variability, validating boundaries with data, understanding efficacy achieving through management mechanisms like MPAs.