1. Priority-Setting Exercises at Various Scales Tundi Agardy, Ph.D. Marine Biological Valuation Workshop 2-4 Dec 2004

2. Interpretation of Task Address how to undertake biological valuation Address how to undertake biological valuation Not how to map biota or build databases Not how to map biota or build databases Attaching value to a site = determining priority areas Attaching value to a site = determining priority areas

3. Experience with priority-setting Two extremes in data-driven, objective analyses: 1. Global scale: CI Hotspots 2. Local scale: Asinara Marine Park zoning

4. CI Marine Hotspots 74 LMEs provided the framework 74 LMEs provided the framework Analysis of biodiversity, including species richness, endemism, habitat diversity Analysis of biodiversity, including species richness, endemism, habitat diversity Analysis of productivity and other ecological processes Analysis of productivity and other ecological processes Analysis of degree of threat Analysis of degree of threat

5. Resulting Priority Areas

6. 15 Highest Priority Areas Antillean/Bahamian LME Antillean/Bahamian LME Californian LME Californian LME Celebes and Sulu Seas Celebes and Sulu Seas Galapagos LME Galapagos LME Gulf of Guinea Gulf of Guinea Indonesian Archipelago Indonesian Archipelago Mediterranean Sea Mediterranean Sea Melanesian LME Melanesian LME Micronesian Islands Micronesian Islands Northeast US/ Gulf of Maine Northeast US/ Gulf of Maine Peruvian LME Peruvian LME Red Sea Red Sea Sea of Cortes Sea of Cortes Somali Current LME Somali Current LME W Madagascar/ W Indian Gyre LME W Madagascar/ W Indian Gyre LME

7. Asinara Marine Park Zoning Optimization using a MARXAN precursor Optimization using a MARXAN precursor Concordance analysis looking at maximizing certain kinds of objectives Concordance analysis looking at maximizing certain kinds of objectives Presenting various sorts to zoning scenarios to target different objectives (biodiversity conservation, fisheries use, recreational, use, tourism development, etc.) Presenting various sorts to zoning scenarios to target different objectives (biodiversity conservation, fisheries use, recreational, use, tourism development, etc.)

8. Asinara A1 Zone Priorities

9. Data used in concordance mapping Geology & geomorphology Geology & geomorphology Benthic assemblages Benthic assemblages Fish species diversity Fish species diversity Nursery areas Nursery areas Patella feruginea, Caretta caretta sites Patella feruginea, Caretta caretta sites Potential cetacean and Foca monacha sites Potential cetacean and Foca monacha sites Marine bird rookeries Marine bird rookeries Archeologically important sites Archeologically important sites Scientific research sites Scientific research sites Traditional and commercial fishing sites Traditional and commercial fishing sites Aquaculture sites Aquaculture sites Recreational sites Recreational sites Navigation areas Navigation areas Industrial installations; security zones Industrial installations; security zones Tourism infrastructure Tourism infrastructure

10. Results highlighting priorities vary Depending on what ``values`` are considered most important

11. Learning from these two extremes 1. Scale matters 2. Knowing objectives a priori is crucial

12. Examples from delphic processes LAC Priority-setting Exercise = scale matters LAC Priority-setting Exercise = scale matters Mid-Atlantic Priority Oceans Areas = objectives matter Mid-Atlantic Priority Oceans Areas = objectives matter

13. LAC Geographic Priorities Nine biogeographic provinces, with regions in each Nine biogeographic provinces, with regions in each Top priorities selected in each region Top priorities selected in each region

14. Mid-Atlantic Priority Ocean Areas 14 experts 14 experts Criteria: Criteria:biodiversity high abundance migratory pathways physical features* nursery/spawning areas endangered/threatened species fisheries Map notable for degree of non-overlap! Map notable for degree of non-overlap!

15. A Possible Solution Hierarchical System Spanning Scales Hierarchical System Spanning Scales Different Objectives lead to focusing of conservation spotlight within each scale Different Objectives lead to focusing of conservation spotlight within each scale

16. Example: NAMPAN Largest scale (Continental): Ecoregions, with goal of representation Within Ecoregions: Priority Conservation Areas, with goal of ecosystem-based management Within PCAs: ecologically critical areas, with goals of biodiversity conservation or fisheries management, focusing on processes Within ECAs: Specific MPAs

17. Role of Focal Species Marine Species of Common Conservation Concern (MSCCC) – priorities for different countries Marine Species of Common Conservation Concern (MSCCC) – priorities for different countries Umbrella function – choose species whose protection will protect a whole suite of other species Umbrella function – choose species whose protection will protect a whole suite of other species Span all scales, from local through ecoregions and Large Marine Ecosystems Span all scales, from local through ecoregions and Large Marine Ecosystems

18. Other Hierarchical Examples Tanzania MPA Network Tanzania MPA Network Emerging Mediterranean Initiative Emerging Mediterranean Initiative (building on SPAMI)

19. Thank you!