For example, zones dedicated to biodiversity conservation will usually be most effective well away from urban centers, selleck chemicals whereas aquaculture should be located as close to urban markets as water quality permits (Fig. 3).

Food production from small-scale subsistence and artisanal fisheries will be optimized by providing fishers with access to most coastal areas (Fig. 3), and by closing their fishing grounds to larger-scale, commercial fisheries. The simple distance-based schema in Fig. 3, or one based on our proximity index, is only a starting point. Second-order MSP can be applied to integrate other important factors such as details of ecological connectivity (Cowen and Sponaugle, 2009, Jones et al., 2009 and Harrison et al., 2012) and locations of critical spawning grounds or high-value but sparse habitat, and to optimize the uses of natural assets while assuring equity and the grounds for stewardship. Within each zone, best practice and continued investments in research and development are essential to (1) maximize the desired benefits, (2) limit negative interactions between the main uses, (3) capitalize on potential synergies between different activities, and (4) alter the spatial zoning as environmental conditions change over time due to climate change, population http://www.selleckchem.com/products/Rapamycin.html growth

and other factors (Table 2). Best practices comprise, inter alia, the conventional, site-specific management of pollution, coastal development and tourism, fisheries and aquaculture, and biodiversity conservation. The present state of the art of applied marine science is such that we have the ability to efficiently harness scientific information Galactosylceramidase to (1) identify those areas critically important for ecosystem functioning and continued delivery of goods and services, and (2) guide adaptation to changing environmental conditions (including climate-mediated effects). Our knowledge may be imperfect, and significant uncertainties

remain, but the necessary focusing of the management spotlight on key areas is now doable. Science has matured to where systems analysis is usually possible, although additional time-series of data can bolster understanding of system structure and function, can elucidate trends in condition more precisely, and can give greater confidence in predicted outcomes. We can readily identify areas of significant biodiversity, presumed resilience, and particular value in the delivery of ecosystem goods and services (including the regulatory and supporting services upon which the entire planet depends). These priority areas must be the base layer in the blueprint moving spatial planning and zoning forward – they are key to linking conservation with sustainable use and development, and minimizing risk.