Ocean sprawl facilitates dispersal and connectivity of protected species

Lea-anne Henry; Claudia G. Mayorga-adame; Alan D. Fox; Jeff A. Polton; Joseph S. Ferris; Faron Mclellan; Chris Mccabe; Tina Kutti; J. Murray Roberts

doi:10.1038/s41598-018-29575-4

Ocean sprawl facilitates dispersal and connectivity of protected species

Lea-anne Henry, Claudia G. Mayorga-adame, Alan D. Fox, Jeff A. Polton, Joseph S. Ferris, Faron Mclellan, Chris Mccabe, Tina Kutti, J. Murray Roberts

School of Geosciences

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Abstract / Description of output

Highly connected networks generally improve resilience in complex systems. We present a novel application of this paradigm and investigated the potential for anthropogenic structures in the ocean to enhance connectivity of a protected species threatened by human pressures and climate change. Biophysical dispersal models of a protected coral species simulated potential connectivity between oil and gas installations across the North Sea but also metapopulation outcomes for naturally occurring corals downstream. Network analyses illustrated how just a single generation of virtual larvae released from these installations could create a highly connected anthropogenic system, with larvae becoming competent to settle over a range of natural deep-sea, shelf and fjord coral ecosystems including a marine protected area. These results provide the first study showing that a system of anthropogenic structures can have international conservation significance by creating ecologically connected networks and by acting as stepping stones for cross-border interconnection to natural populations.

Original language	English
Article number	11346
Journal	Scientific Reports
Volume	8
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-29575-4
Publication status	Published - 16 Aug 2018

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Lea-Anne Henry
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title = "Ocean sprawl facilitates dispersal and connectivity of protected species",

abstract = "Highly connected networks generally improve resilience in complex systems. We present a novel application of this paradigm and investigated the potential for anthropogenic structures in the ocean to enhance connectivity of a protected species threatened by human pressures and climate change. Biophysical dispersal models of a protected coral species simulated potential connectivity between oil and gas installations across the North Sea but also metapopulation outcomes for naturally occurring corals downstream. Network analyses illustrated how just a single generation of virtual larvae released from these installations could create a highly connected anthropogenic system, with larvae becoming competent to settle over a range of natural deep-sea, shelf and fjord coral ecosystems including a marine protected area. These results provide the first study showing that a system of anthropogenic structures can have international conservation significance by creating ecologically connected networks and by acting as stepping stones for cross-border interconnection to natural populations.",

author = "Lea-anne Henry and Mayorga-adame, {Claudia G.} and Fox, {Alan D.} and Polton, {Jeff A.} and Ferris, {Joseph S.} and Faron Mclellan and Chris Mccabe and Tina Kutti and Roberts, {J. Murray}",

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doi = "10.1038/s41598-018-29575-4",

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T1 - Ocean sprawl facilitates dispersal and connectivity of protected species

AU - Henry, Lea-anne

AU - Mayorga-adame, Claudia G.

AU - Fox, Alan D.

AU - Polton, Jeff A.

AU - Ferris, Joseph S.

AU - Mclellan, Faron

AU - Mccabe, Chris

AU - Kutti, Tina

AU - Roberts, J. Murray

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AB - Highly connected networks generally improve resilience in complex systems. We present a novel application of this paradigm and investigated the potential for anthropogenic structures in the ocean to enhance connectivity of a protected species threatened by human pressures and climate change. Biophysical dispersal models of a protected coral species simulated potential connectivity between oil and gas installations across the North Sea but also metapopulation outcomes for naturally occurring corals downstream. Network analyses illustrated how just a single generation of virtual larvae released from these installations could create a highly connected anthropogenic system, with larvae becoming competent to settle over a range of natural deep-sea, shelf and fjord coral ecosystems including a marine protected area. These results provide the first study showing that a system of anthropogenic structures can have international conservation significance by creating ecologically connected networks and by acting as stepping stones for cross-border interconnection to natural populations.

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DO - 10.1038/s41598-018-29575-4

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SN - 2045-2322

VL - 8

JO - Scientific Reports

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Ocean sprawl facilitates dispersal and connectivity of protected species

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Lea-Anne Henry

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