Beyond connectivity: how empirical methods can quantify population persistence to improve marine protected-area...

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Marine Science

Background:

• Demographic connectivity influences population dynamics and persistence.
• Effective marine protected area (MPA) networks require accurate connectivity data.
• Empirical studies on marine larval dispersal are increasing but often lack crucial data.

Purpose of the Study:

• Review empirical studies quantifying larval dispersal in marine systems.
• Assess the relevance of these studies to population persistence and MPA design.
• Identify data gaps and provide guidance for future research.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of empirical studies on larval dispersal.
• Analysis of data presented in studies concerning MPA applications.
• Comparison of reported metrics with theoretical requirements for persistence assessment.

Main Results:

• Most empirical studies focus on self-recruitment, which is insufficient for MPA design.
• Reported metrics often do not directly inform population replacement or persistence.
• Connectivity matrices and additional data on survival and fecundity are needed.

Conclusions:

• Current larval dispersal data is often not directly applicable to MPA persistence objectives.
• Three key empirical data points are essential: lifetime fecundity, local retention (or connectivity matrix), and post-recruitment survival.
• Guidance is provided for field sampling and data presentation to better inform MPA design for population persistence.