Suchergebnisse

22 páginas, 6 tablas, 5 figuras ; The Juan Fernández and Desventuradas islands are among the few oceanic islands belonging to Chile. They possess a unique mix of tropical, subtropical, and temperate marine species, and although close to continental South America, elements of the biota have greater affinities with the central and south Pacific owing to the Humboldt Current, which creates a strong biogeographic barrier between these islands and the continent. The Juan Fernández Archipelago has ~700 people, with the major industry being the fishery for the endemic lobster, Jasus frontalis. The Desventuradas Islands are uninhabited except for a small Chilean military garrison on San Félix Island. We compared the marine biodiversity of these islands across multiple taxonomic groups. At San Ambrosio Island (SA), in Desventuradas, the laminarian kelp (Eisenia cokeri), which is limited to Desventuradas in Chile, accounted for >50% of the benthic cover at wave exposed areas, while more sheltered sites were dominated by sea urchin barrens. The benthos at Robinson Crusoe Island (RC), in the Juan Fernández Archipelago, comprised a diverse mix of macroalgae and invertebrates, a number of which are endemic to the region. The biomass of commercially targeted fishes was >2 times higher in remote sites around RC compared to sheltered locations closest to port, and overall biomass was 35% higher around SA compared to RC, likely reflecting fishing effects around RC. The number of endemic fish species was extremely high at both islands, with 87.5% of the species surveyed at RC and 72% at SA consisting of regional endemics. Remarkably, endemics accounted for 99% of the numerical abundance of fishes surveyed at RC and 96% at SA, which is the highest assemblage-level endemism known for any individual marine ecosystem on earth. Our results highlight the uniqueness and global significance of these biodiversity hotspots exposed to very different fishing pressures. ; ES received funding from Blancpain, Davidoff Cool Water and The National Geographic Society. Oceana provided funding to ATP. CFG was suported by Grant NC120030 from the Millennium Scientific Initiative. ; Peer reviewed

Designated large-scale marine protected areas (LSMPAs, 100,000 or more square kilometers) constitute over two-thirds of the approximately 6.6% of the ocean and approximately 14.5% of the exclusive economic zones within marine protected areas. Although LSMPAs have received support among scientists and conservation bodies for wilderness protection, regional ecological connectivity, and improving resilience to climate change, there are also concerns. We identified 10 common criticisms of LSMPAs along three themes: (1) placement, governance, and management; (2) political expediency; and (3) social ecological value and cost. Through critical evaluation of scientific evidence, we discuss the value, achievements, challenges, and potential of LSMPAs in these arenas. We conclude that although some criticisms are valid and need addressing, none pertain exclusively to LSMPAs, and many involve challenges ubiquitous in management. We argue that LSMPAs are an important component of a diversified management portfolio that tempers potential losses, hedges against uncertainty, and enhances the probability of achieving sustainably managed oceans. ; Fil: O'Leary, Bethan C. University Of York; Reino Unido ; Fil: Ban, Natalie C. University of Victoria; Canadá ; Fil: Fernandez, Miriam. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Chile. Universidad Católica de Chile; Chile ; Fil: Friedlander, Alan M. University of Hawaii at Manoa; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Garcia Borboroglu, Jorge Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos; Argentina ; Fil: Golbuu, Yimnang. Palau International Coral Reef Center; Palaos ; Fil: Guidetti, Paolo. Universite Nice; Francia ; Fil: Harris, Jean M. Ezemvelo Kzn Wildlife; Sudáfrica ; Fil: Hawkins, Julie P. University Of York; Reino Unido ; Fil: Langlois, Tim. University of Western Australia; Australia ; Fil: McCauley, Douglas J. University of California; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Pikitch, Ellen K. Stony Brook University; Estados Unidos. University Of York; Reino Unido ; Fil: Richmond, Robert H. University Of York; Reino Unido ; Fil: Roberts, Callum M. University of Hawaii at Manoa; Estados Unidos