Representing taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity: new challenges for<scp>M</scp>editerranean marine‐protected areas

Abstract

Abstract Aim To assess gaps in the representation of taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity among coastal fishes in M editerranean marine‐protected areas ( MPA s). Location M editerranean S ea. Methods We first assessed gaps in the taxonomic representation of the 340 coastal fish species in M editerranean MPA s, with representation targets (the species range proportion to be covered by MPA s) set to be inversely proportional to species' range sizes. We then asked whether MPA s favoured representation of phylogenetically and functionally more distinct species or whether there was a tendency to favour less distinctive ones. We finally evaluated the overall conservation effectiveness of the MPA s using a metric that integrates species' phylogenetic and functional relationships and targets achievement. The effectiveness of the MPA system at protecting biodiversity was assessed by comparison of its achievements against a null model obtained by siting current MPA s at random over the study area. Results Among the coastal fish species analysed, 16 species were not covered by any MPA . All the remaining species only partially achieved the pre‐defined representation target. The current MPA system missed fewer species than expected from siting MPA s at random. However, c. 70% of the species did not achieve better protection in the current MPA s than expected from siting MPA s at random. Functional and evolutionary distinctiveness were weakly correlated with target achievement. The observed coverage of taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity was not different or lower than expected from siting MPA s at random. Main conclusions The M editerranean MPA system falls short in meeting conservation targets for coastal fish taxonomic diversity, phylogenetic diversity and functional diversity. M editerranean MPA s do not encompass more biodiversity than expected by chance. This study reveals multiple ongoing challenges and calls for regional collaboration for the extension of the M editerranean system of MPA s to meet international commitments and reduce the ongoing loss of marine biodiversity.