Adapting Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to Climate Change

Key Learnings

• Tackling the challenge of finding tailor-made solutions: climate change's impacts on the ocean, such as warming water temperatures, are increasingly capturing public attention. Involving representatives of different marine sectors contributes to finding solutions for each sector. However, this is a complex task as climate change affects each sector differently.
• Data as an essential prerequisite: In addition to marine biodiversity monitoring data, the physical and chemical parameters of the sea must be available for developing climate change adaptation plans. A comprehensive monitoring system, in combination with protection and restoration plans, is required for effective protected area management.
• Drafting measures in a participatory way reduces the potential for conflicts: Most of the suggestions for measures in the Adaptation Plans were made by the participants during the workshops and are based on consensus.

Summary

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and marine biodiversity in the Mediterranean Sea are severely affected by climate change. The participatory project MPA-Engage was implemented at two sites in Catalonia, Spain, the Parc Natural de Cap de Creus and the Litoral del Baix Empordà Natura 2000 site, to contribute to putting Mediterranean marine protected areas on the front line of adaptation strategies to address climate change. In addition to generating monitoring protocols, a socio-ecological vulnerability assessment was used to develop a Climate Change Adaption Plan for each site. The stakeholder engagement process contributed to the success of this climate change adaptation project. Further monitoring should facilitate tailormade adaptation mechanisms.

Contact

Ahufinger Breto, Judith jahufingergencat [dot] cat (jahufinger[at]gencat[dot]cat)

Cantos Font, Gemma gemma [dot] cantosgencat [dot] cat (gemma[dot]cantos[at]gencat[dot]cat)