In coastal areas there is a strong interdependence of humans and ecosystems, implying that management approaches need to ensure the provision of services to society. We developed a spatial optimization model that explores how the provision of ecosystem services varies along the coast under different management scenarios. Our approach assumes that the baseline structure of biological communities largely relies on large-scale connectivity . Therefore, based on the baseline potential of a site to provide services, conditioned by biophysical connectivity, the model explores the optimal allocation of protected areas. This approach was tested in central Chile, where the biological productivity is tightly linked to the hydrodynamics driven by the Humboldt current, through biophysical connectivity of early-life stages. In this region small-scale fisheries are regulated through management areasthat alternate with open access fisheries. Some management areas have been shown to enhance abundance of target species and richness of associated communities, however, there are evidences for over-exploitation of fishery resources. By using this scenario as case study , we explored how the current coastal ecosystem could be spatially managed to optimize the provision of ecosystem services. The model evidenced that the current positioning of management areas could be maintained, but an additional 10 \% of the coast should be no-take area. Importantly, by considering all ecosystem properties prioritized by end-users, the model improved the spatial representativeness. The novelty of this approach is that it develops a spatial optimization model that embeds the dynamism of biophysical connectivity to assess the provision of ecosystem services within a network of protected areas .
Ecological connectivity in coastal oceanic waters is mediated by dispersion of the early life stages of URLanisms and conditions the structure of biological communities and the provision of ecosystem services. Integrated management strategies aimed at ensuring long-term service provision to society do not currently consider the importance of dispersal and larval connectivity. A spatial optimization model is introduced to maximise the potential provision of ecosystem services in coastal areas by accounting for the role of dispersal and larval connectivity. The approach combines a validated coastal circulation model that reproduces realistic patterns of larval transport along the coast, which ultimately conditions the biological connectivity and productivity of an area, with additional spatial layers describing potential ecosystem services. The spatial optimisation exercise was tested along the coast of Central Chile, a highly productive area dominated by the Humboldt Current. Results show it is unnecessary to relocate existing management areas, as increasing no-take areas by 10 \% could maximise ecosystem service provision, while improving the spatial representativeness of protected areas and minimising social conflicts. The location of protected areas was underrepresented in some sections of the study domain, principally due to the restriction of the model to rocky subtidal habitats. Future model developments should encompass the diversity of coastal ecosystems and human activities to inform integrative spatial management. Nevertheless, the spatial optimization model is innovative not only for its integrated ecosystem perspective, but also because it demonstrates that it is possible to incorporate time-varying biophysical connectivity within the optimization problem, thereby linking the dynamics of exploited populations produced by the spatial management regime .
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In coastal areas there is a strong interdependence of humans and ecosystems, implying that management approaches need to ensure the provision of services to society. We developed a
Ecological connectivity in coastal oceanic waters is mediated by dispersion of the early life stages of URLanisms and conditions the structure of biological communities and the provision of ecosystem services. Integrated management strategies aimed at ensuring long-term service provision to society do not currently consider the importance of dispersal and larval connectivity. A
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that explores how the
is introduced to maximise the potential
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varies along the coast under different management scenarios. Our approach assumes that the baseline structure of biological communities largely relies on large-scale connectivity . Therefore, based on the baseline potential of a site to provide services, conditioned by biophysical connectivity, the model explores the optimal allocation of protected areas. This approach was tested in central Chile, where the biological productivity is tightly linked to the hydrodynamics driven
in coastal areas by accounting for the role of dispersal and larval connectivity. The approach combines a validated coastal circulation model that reproduces realistic patterns of larval transport along the coast, which ultimately conditions the biological connectivity and productivity of an area, with additional spatial layers describing potential ecosystem services. The spatial optimisation exercise was tested along the coast of Central Chile, a highly productive area dominated
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current, through biophysical connectivity of early-life stages. In this region small-scale fisheries are regulated through management areasthat alternate with open access fisheries. Some management areas have been shown to enhance abundance of target species and richness of associated communities, however, there are evidences for over-exploitation of fishery resources. By using this scenario as case study , we explored how the current coastal ecosystem could be spatially managed to optimize the provision of ecosystem services. The model evidenced that the current positioning of management areas could be maintained, but an additional
Current. Results show it is unnecessary to relocate existing management areas, as increasing no-take areas by
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\% of the coast should be no-take area. Importantly, by considering all ecosystem properties prioritized by end-users, the model improved the spatial representativeness. The novelty of this approach is that it develops a spatial optimization model that embeds the dynamism of biophysical connectivity to assess the provision of ecosystem services within a network of protected areas
\% could maximise ecosystem service provision, while improving the spatial representativeness of protected areas and minimising social conflicts. The location of protected areas was underrepresented in some sections of the study domain, principally due to the restriction of the model to rocky subtidal habitats. Future model developments should encompass the diversity of coastal ecosystems and human activities to inform integrative spatial management. Nevertheless, the spatial optimization model is innovative not only for its integrated ecosystem perspective, but also because it demonstrates that it is possible to incorporate time-varying biophysical connectivity within the optimization problem, thereby linking the dynamics of exploited populations produced by the spatial management regime