A meta‐analysis examining how fish biodiversity varies with marine protected area size and age

• DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4733
• Publication Date: 2023-12-14T09:54:11Z
• Authors: Helene A. L. Holl...; Felix May; Shane A. Blowes
• Keywords: Marine protected area; Global biodiversity; Marine reserve

Abstract Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a well‐established conservation practice worldwide, but their effectiveness in protecting or replenishing fish biodiversity remains uneven. Understanding the patterns of this heterogeneity is central to general guidelines for MPA design and can ultimately provide guidance on how maximize potential. Here, we examine associations between degree protection, duration area size, with inside relative that sites nearby, outside areas. We quantitatively synthesize 116 published estimates species richness from 72 MPAs 38 Shannon entropy 21 MPAs. show average 18% (95% CIs: 10%–29%) higher than open fishing; average, 13% −2% 31%) within outside. find no relationship protection ratio versus areas; both fully partially contribute accumulation areas, all ages similarly conservation. In contrast our expectations, increasing size was associated decreased sampled at area, possibly due, example, insufficient enforcement and/or low compliance. Finally, discuss why meta‐analyses such as ours summarize effect sizes local scale responses, is, those single site, only give partial answer question whether larger harbor more comparable unprotected