TY - JOUR
TI - Ocean sprawl facilitates dispersal and connectivity of protected species
AU - Henry, L
AU - Mayorga-Adame, C
AU - Fox, A
AU - Polton, J
AU - Ferris, J
AU - McLellan, F
AU - McCabe, C
AU - Kutti, T
AU - Roberts, J
T2 - Scientific Reports
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.
DA - 2018/08//
PY - 2018
VL - 8
SP - 11346
UR - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-29575-4
DO - 10.1038/s41598-018-29575-4
LA - English
KW - Marine Energy
KW - Wind Energy
KW - Fixed Offshore Wind
KW - Habitat Change
KW - Invertebrates
ER -