Spatial mismatch between marine protected areas and dugongs in New Caledonia

摘要: Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a powerful tool for conserving marine biodiversity when designed using ecological information and conservation goals targets. Dugongs (Dugong dugon) were not an explicit target in the design of network MPAs New Caledonia, despite being one region's World Heritage values. Our study retrospectively assessed capacity Caledonia MPA net- work to protect dugongs from anthropogenic threats. We developed spatially model dugong distribution relative density based on collected 10 years aerial surveys. quantified amount overlap between supporting high densities MPAs. found that most important habitats had low coverage pro- vide levels restriction activities. identified several hab- itats along west north-east coast covered by should be priority future management. The spatial mismatch was likely caused weaknesses planning process, including the: (1) lack targets; (2) omission species' distribution; (3) scales; (4) cost considerations; (5) incorrect application IUCN area categories. provide guidance how these short- comings can avoided species concern other regions.