From measuring outcomes to providing inputs: Governance, management, and local development for more effective marine protected areas

TLDR

MPAs can conserve marine resources and benefit local communities, yet their success rates are debated; measuring biophysical and socio‑economic outcomes is standard, but scholars suggest focusing on inputs that drive success. The paper examines potential ecological and socio‑economic outcomes of MPAs and reviews literature on governance, management, and local development inputs that drive effectiveness. It reviews literature on three input categories—governance, management, and local development—that lead to effective MPAs. The paper proposes a novel inputs framework incorporating governance, management, and development indicators for MPA design and analysis.

Abstract

Marine protected areas (MPAs) have the potential to conserve marine resources as well as provide social and economic benefits to local communities. Yet the percentage of MPAs that might be considered "successful" or effective on ecological and/or socio-economic accounts is debatable. Measurement of biophysical and socio-economic outcome indicators has become de rigeur for examining MPA management effectiveness so that adaptive feedback loops can stimulate new management actions. Scholars and practitioners alike have suggested that more attention should be given to the inputs that are likely to lead to successful MPA outcomes. This paper briefly discusses the potential ecological and socio-economic outcomes of MPAs then reviews the literature on three categories of inputs – governance, management, and local development – that lead to effective MPAs. In conclusion, the paper presents a novel inputs framework that incorporates indicators for governance, management and development to be used in the design and analysis of MPAs.