Contributors: MARine Biodiversity Exploitation and Conservation - MARBEC (UMR MARBEC); Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Montpellier (UM); Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre Portugal (MARE); Centro de Investigación Mariña (CIM-UVIGO); Universidade de Vigo; University of Essex; University of California Davis (UC Davis); University of California (UC); Universidad de Murcia = University of Murcia; Tartu Ülikool = University of Tartu Estonie; Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research (IOLR); Instituto Español de Oceanografía - Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO); Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas España = Spanish National Research Council Spain (CSIC); Laboratoire d'Ecogéochimie des environnements benthiques (LECOB); Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Observatoire océanologique de Banyuls (OOB); Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS); Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies Koper (FAMNIT); University of Primorska; University of Leeds; The University of Queensland (UQ All campuses : Brisbane, Dutton Park Gatton, Herston, St Lucia and other locations ); Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences Bologna; Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna = University of Bologna (UNIBO); Research Institute for Agricultural, Fisheries and Food (ILVO); University of the Aegean (UoA); Agri Food and Biosciences Institute; European Project: COST Action CA19107,SEA UNICORN; European Project: 101094014,HORIZON-MISS-2021-OCEAN-02,HORIZON-MISS-2021-OCEAN-02,BLUE4ALL(2023)
Abstract: International audience ; Effective knowledge of ecological connectivity at sea and at the land-sea interface is key to supporting global policy goals to conserve and restore ocean biodiversity and function. However, a persistent lack of commonality in terminology and understanding around the concept of marine connectivity hampers its application in spatial planning and policy, and its integration across disciplines. Building on an extensive literature review, we clarify definitions and subcategories of connectivity, and propose a unified conceptual framework for Marine Functional Connectivity (MFC) research to support multidisciplinary marine science for improved management and policy. We identify key challenges and future directions for advancing this emerging field, bringing together most strands of marine science to understand changes in biodiversity and functional interdependencies between habitats and regions. Placing MFC research at the heart of marine environmental science promises to significantly improve predictions of environmental and socio-economic change and the sustainable use of ecosystems and resources at sea and at the land-sea interface.
Processing Request
No Comments.