Decadal turnover of thermally stressed coral taxa support a risk-spreading approach to marine reserve design

Published source details McClanahan T.R. (2020) Decadal turnover of thermally stressed coral taxa support a risk-spreading approach to marine reserve design. Coral Reefs, 39, 1549-1563.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Designate a Marine Protected Area and prohibit all types of fishing and collection Action Link

Designate a Marine Protected Area and prohibit all types of fishing and collection

A replicated, site comparison study in 1991–2018 at 12 coral reef sites off the coast of Kenya (McClanahan 2020) found that protected areas that prohibited all types of fishing and collection had more coral species, lower diversity between sites, and similar turnover of species over time compared to fished reefs. Protected areas had a higher number of coral species (15 species/site) than fished reefs (10 species/site) and overall, diversity of species between sites was lower for protected areas than for fished reefs (reported as diversity index). Protected areas contained relatively more Acropora, Echinopora, Montipora and massive Porites corals, whereas fished reefs had more branching Porites, Stylophora, and Pavona corals. In addition, turnover of species groups over time was similar in protected areas and fished reefs (see paper for details). Five sites (30 × 30 m) were established in protected areas with permanent fishing and collection closures, and seven were established in reefs with high fishing intensity. All sites were shallow back-reef lagoons. In December–March 1991–2018, all 12 sites were samples 19 times (nine 10m transects/site). Corals >3 cm were identified to species group or species or classed as branching or massive (for Porites corals).

(Summarised by: William Morgan)