Assessing the delivery of ecosystem services and benefits to human well-being of three contrasting MPAs in Spain

Abstract

Marine and coastal ecosystems are indispensable for life on Earth, providing vital functions and serving as a significant source of prosperity for humanity. These ecosystems contribute to the generation of Marine Ecosystem Services (MES), encompassing the benefits derived from marine environments, which are pivotal for economic prosperity and societal well-being. Nonetheless, these valuable ecosystems are facing severe degradation due to various human-induced pressures. In response to this challenge, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have emerged as crucial tools advocated by numerous international policies to counteract the adverse impacts of human activities on marine ecosystems. Despite the diverse array of MPAs characterized by varying levels of protection, there remains a dearth of understanding regarding their disparities in providing all forms of MES and their implications for human well-being. Through a comprehensive analysis involving scientific literature, gray literature, and press news, this research scrutinizes the role of MPAs in generating benefits and addressing conflicts arising from MES provision. The main disciplines involved, text orientation, methodologies, and key results of the publications were assessed. Moreover, benefits to people, conflicts between stakeholders, and emotions and sentiments related to MES supply in three selected Spanish MPAs (the Atlantic Islands of Galicia Maritime-Terrestrial National Park, the Os Miñarzos Marine Reserve of Fishing Interest, and the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park) were identified and analyzed. This allowed for comparisons with their respective levels of protection. The findings reveal that conservation efforts within MPAs contribute significantly to scientific knowledge generation while concurrently supporting human well-being through food security, economic growth, and employment opportunities, particularly in the tourism and fisheries sectors. However, these sectors also engender conflicts concerning conservation policies and resource utilization. The study underscores that the level of protection is a crucial feature, alongside the governance structure and proximity to population centers and tourism hotspots, in determining the delivery of MES by MPAs and their influence on human welfare. The adoption of co-management strategies and the promotion of ecotourism initiatives within MPAs emerge as viable approaches to mitigate conflicts and optimize the provision of high-quality MES, thereby enhancing human well-being. The insights gleaned from this research offer valuable guidance for scientists, managers, and policymakers in fostering the conservation of marine biodiversity through the strategic management and design of MPA networks geared towards maximizing the distribution of benefits for human well-being.