Engaging Mediterranean key actors in Ecosystem Approach to manage Marine Protected Areas to face Climate Change

Climate change is already posing a big threat to the conservation objectives of marine protected areas. An urgent common effort is required to mitigate this threat and to establish adaptation strategies to prevent irreversible alterations of MPAs. To address this challenge, a socio-ecological vulnerability assessment tool has been developed among other tools within the MPA-Engage project, supported by the Interreg Med Programme (Grant number: 5216 /5MED18_3.2_M23_007). The ultimate goal of the project is to support and train managers to respond to and manage the impacts of climate change in their MPAs.

Aim of the tool

The vulnerability assessment tool aims to support local managers in the application of a standardised methodology to understand the MPA socio-ecological vulnerabilities to the impacts of climate change. Understanding these weaknesses, managers can put in place additional strategic actions to increase the local resilience of the area. Additionally, extensive data collection is required for the calculation of the vulnerability index, providing an opportunity to managers to understand in which area of their management there are data gaps.

Main objectives

The final objective of the tool is to assess the vulnerability of MPAs through a multidimensional socio-ecological vulnerability index that combines vulnerability scores of the MPA, habitats, species and stakeholder groups in order to provide relevant information for the design and implementation of targeted adaptation strategies to face the impacts of climate change.

Technological infrastructure

No technological infrastructure is needed, only a laptop and Wi-Fi connection.

Training

Currently specific training is required to fill in the template necessary to use the tool and at least one person per MPA is recommended to receive this training. In the future, video tutorials and guidance documents can be provided.

Investment

There are no costs to access and use the tool.

Concept

A webpage with a virtual interface hosts the vulnerability assessment tool and the user can upload the template with all the data collected to calculate the final vulnerability indices. The outcome provided consists of a series of figures showing the final result for each index calculated. From the page, the user can then also download an excel file with all numerical results related to the indices, figures with qualitative results and a template to write a report for the MPA recently assessed.

Pilot areas

Brijuni National Park (Croatia), Portofino MPA (Italy), Calanques National Park (France), Zakynthos National Marine Park (Greece), Cap de Creus MPA (Spain), Litoral del Baix Empordà (Spain) and Tavolara Punta Coda Cavallo MPA (Italy).

Implementation Dates

We recommend performing a socio-ecological vulnerability assessment every 5 years. However, during the first assessments, if data poor templates are used for the calculation of the index, the assessment can be repeated as frequently as new data are collected and included in the template.

The amount and diversity of data to collect can be challenging for managers. In addition, transforming data to properly fill in the tool’s template may require additional effort. The quality of the final results is dependent on the quality of the data collected. However, a specific output of the tool is dedicated to calculating the quality of the final index.

Quantitative results

By using the tool, important data related to the physico-chemical characteristics, species and habitats are collected. These data are important to understand the sea water qualities and the status of species and habitats analysed.

Quantitative results are provided as an output for each index calculated by the tool. Furthermore, qualitative data have also been collected through questionnaires to compile information about stakeholders’ perception on climate change impacts and MPA management. These data are important in order to have a holistic view of the MPA that combines the knowledge of managers and local stakeholders.

Key deliverables

As a key output we can expect a consistent database with all the data collected by the MPA. In addition, a report where the user can include and describe the final results is produced by the tool.

Transfer potential

Following the example set by the 7 pilot MPAs, the vulnerability assessment tool could be adopted by all Mediterranean MPAs. In this way, coordinated actions to build resilience in MPAs to tackle the impacts of climate change, can be established on a Mediterranean scale.

• The vulnerability assessment tool is an innovative instrument developed with the participation of MPA managers that tested it throughout its implementation.

• The vulnerability tool output is a multidimensional index at the MPA, species, habitat and user group scale. The user groups involved are: professional and recreational fishers, divers, and the nautical and tourism sectors.