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Habitat complexity is one of the main influences on biodiversity in marine environments, particularly in coastal areas where foundation seaweeds provide substrate for highly diverse communities. We studied the 2D and 3D fractal dimensions of Gongolaria montagnei (Fucales) over the vegetative season and examine their relationship with the abundance, species richness and morpho-functional groups of the gastropod associated. Overall, the 3D fractal analysis method used here better describes seaweeds structural complexity compared to the traditional 2D fractal analysis, as highlighted by the higher relationship with gastropod assemblage associated to the alga in terms of abundance, number of species and morpho-functional groups. We propose this new method as a valuable tool for understanding the relationship between seaweeds and associated fauna, which is critical for gaining a better understanding of the role that algal species play in a specific habitat and the consequences of their loss. [Display omitted] • The 3D fractal dimension used here closely reflects the complexity of seaweeds. • The 3D fractal dimension explained better variation of gastropods. • Seaweeds complexity plays a main role in shaping associated gastropods assemblage. • The morpho-functional groups of gastropods clarify the relationship between seaweed and gastropods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The success of MPAs in conserving fishing resources and protecting marine biodiversity relies strongly on how well they meet their planned (or implicit) management goals. From a review of empirical studies aiming at assessing the ecological effects of Mediterranean and Macaronesian MPAs, we conclude that establishing an MPA is successful for (i) increasing the abundance/biomass, (ii) increasing the proportion of larger/older individuals, and (iii) enhancing the fecundity of commercially harvested populations; also, MPAs demonstrated to be effective for (iv) augmenting local fishery yields through biomass exportation from the protected area, and (v) inducing shifts in fish assemblage structure by increasing the dominance of large predator species. However, the attraction for tourism and diving due to ecological benefits of protection can cause damages likely to reverse some of the MPA effects. Other expected effects are more subject to uncertainty, and hence need more research, such as (vi) causing density-dependent changes in life history traits and (vii) protecting the recruitment of commercially important species, (viii) protecting marine biodiversity (including genetic diversity), (ix) causing ecosystem-wide effects such as trophic cascades, and (x) increasing community and ecosystem stability, thus promoting resilience and faster recovery from disturbance. Meta-analysis of data arising from these case studies are used to establish the overall effect of MPAs, and its relationship to MPA features, such as size of no-take area or time since protection. Based on the review and the meta-analyses, specific recommendations are provided for MPA management, regarding the establishment of goals and objectives, site selection, MPA design and zoning, planning, and monitoring. Finally, a series of recommendations for MPA research are offered to drive future research in MPA issues in the Mediterranean and Macaronesia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are playing a central role in the achievement of ocean sustainability and, since 2000, their global coverage has increased over ten times. The success of MPAs, and therefore the delivery of their potential outcomes for human well-being and global sustainability, requires multi-disciplinary, holistic, and comprehensive approaches for its achievement. In this study, the global scientific literature on MPAs was quantitatively reviewed through bibliometrics approaches, investigating patterns and trends in its development over time. In particular, bibliometric network and citation burst analyses of keywords were performed using VOSviewer and CiteSpace software. The bibliographic search on the Scopus and Web of Science databases resulted in a total number of 5908 and 6036 scientific documents published on MPAs. The network analysis of the keywords co-occurrence produced four main clusters whose connections and overlapping showed a multidisciplinary structure of MPA science, in which the ecological, social, and economic domains of research are strongly interlinked. Temporal analyses showed a recent focus on topics related to the social-ecological systems theory (e.g., ecosystem services, marine spatial planning, governance, and small-scale fisheries) suggesting that newer research lines recognize the importance of integrating the "human dimension" in conservation and sustainability studies. Overall, the results of both the performed bibliometric analyses pointed out the evolution of MPA science from the conventional concept of "marine reserves" to a broader scope integrating ecological, economic, and social aspects. In conclusion, MPA research is timely responding to the identification of MPAs as ocean sustainability tools, opening MPA science to multi-disciplinary research lines by linking the ecological and socio-economic dimensions of sustainability. MPA research is expected to play a crucial role in generating the interdisciplinary scientific knowledge needed to fully contribute to global ocean sustainability and human well-being. Unlabelled Image • Scientific research on MPAs is highly interdisciplinary. • MPA research evolved over time encompassing ecological and socio-economic aspects. • Over the years, human-related keywords increased in MPA scientific literature. • The human dimension plays a central role in marine conservation. • MPA research is responding to international commitments for ocean sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterized by interlinked social, economic, and ecological dynamics, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are a management tool for achieving sustainability goals in social-ecological systems. The recent increase in their establishment worldwide, fostered by international policies, highlights the need for comprehensive and integrated assessment frameworks able to address the evaluation of their social-ecological effectiveness and management performance, which is of fundamental importance for their adaptive management and decision making processes. Although several indicators and methodologies exist to assess MPAs ecological or social performances, no comprehensive assessment framework currently captures their broad range of objectives, encompassing the ecological, socio-cultural, and economic spheres. In this study, we present a novel quantitative framework (named MPAs Overall Success Evaluation – MOSE) able to assess the overall effectiveness and management performance of MPAs under the perspective of social-ecological systems. The multicriteria framework includes indicators linked to nature conservation, socio-cultural, socio-economic, and management objectives, integrating the multidisciplinary knowledge on MPAs in a single but comprehensive approach. The proposed framework was applied to the case study of Cerbère-Banyuls Natural Marine Reserve (France), the first MPA included in the IUCN Green List. Results showed that a high level of management effort is applied to the investigated MPA, generating several social-ecological benefits. This study showed the applicability of the MOSE framework and its potential usefulness as a tool to inform managers and decision-makers in charge for developing adaptive management strategies. Image 1 • The MPAs Overall Success Evaluation (MOSE) framework is presented. • The framework is applied to the Cerbère-Banyuls Natural Marine Reserve (France). • Results show the MPA management effort and generated social-ecological benefits. • The framework represents a useful tool for adaptive management. • Future applications will target a wide variety of MPAs at different scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]