Digests Landscape Ocean2026-09-23T09:17:02-04:00
Ocean
 

Ocean

Ocean ecosystems are interconnected by currents, migratory routes, and larval dispersal pathways that link coastal communities and the open sea. When these marine connections are disrupted by overfishing, coastal development, or climate change, species movement and population resilience can decline. Protecting and coordinating networks of marine corridors and protected areas helps sustain biodiversity, fisheries, and the ecological processes that support coastal ecosystems.
Search available publications by classification:
LandscapeTitleYearJournalDigest
OceanDecadal and multispecies coral connectivity modeling for conservation and restoration prioritization in Florida2026Coral ReefsMapping coral connectivity for smarter restoration
Grassland, Wetland, Forest, Ocean, Mountain, FreshwaterSpecies range shifts often speed ahead of their modeled climatic niches2026PNASClimate models often miss the pace of range shifts
OceanMarine megavertebrate migrations connect the global ocean2025Nature CommunicationsIdentifying key connections for migratory marine animals
OceanMarine reserves contribute half of the larval supply to a coral reef fishery2025Science AdvancesMarine reserve networks have outsized benefits for both reefs and fisheries
OceanClimate-driven connectivity loss impedes species adaptation to warming in the deep ocean2025Nature Climate ChangeClimate warming disproportionately impacts deep-sea connectivity
OceanSpatiotemporal faunal connectivity across global sea floors2025NatureDeep-sea life connects across oceans
OceanSeascape connectivity: evidence, knowledge gaps and implications for temperate coastal ecosystem restoration practice and policy2025npj Ocean SustainabilityBuilding coastal ecosystems through seascape connectivity
OceanConnectivity enhances resilience of marine forests after an extreme event2025Scientific ReportsConnectivity promotes resilience to marine heat waves
OceanIdentifying global marine climate refugia through a conservative approach to ocean biodiversity preservation2025Nature CommunicationsMapping global marine climate refugia
OceanMarine protected areas promote stability of reef fish communities under climate warming2024Nature CommunicationsMarine protected area networks protect against climate warming
OceanProtection efforts have resulted in ~10% of existing fish biomass on coral reefs2024PNASMarine protections account for 10% of fish on coral reefs
OceanHurricanes enhance coral connectivity but also superspread coral diseases2024Global Change BiologyHurricanes promote connectivity for corals and their diseases
Wetland, OceanAssessing how restoration can facilitate 30×30 goals for climate-resilient coastal ecosystems in the United States2024Conservation BiologyMeeting 30×30 goals with restoration
Ocean3D ocean assessments reveal that fisheries reach deep but marine protection remains shallow2024Nature CommunicationsSpanning the ocean depths to better conserve marine biodiversity
OceanSpatial synchrony cascades across ecosystem boundaries and up food webs via resource subsidies2024Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesPopulation synchrony across ecosystem boundaries
OceanEnvironmental, social, and management aspects in a hotspot: Interaction networks between marine protected areas2024Ocean & Coastal ManagementEnvironmental, social, and management networks of protected areas
Ocean, Forest, WetlandMapping mangrove sustainability in the face of sea level rise and land use: A case study on Leizhou Peninsula, China2023Journal of Environmental ManagementMangroves need dynamic strategies to cope with rising sea levels
OceanProtecting connectivity promotes successful biodiversity and fisheries conservation2022ScienceTo promote coral reef biodiversity and ecosystem services, protect dispersal corridors
OceanLimited spatial rescue potential for coral reefs lost to future climate warming2022Global Ecology and BiogeographyCoral reefs and their chance to survive climate warming
OceanGreen Turtles Highlight Connectivity Across a Regional Marine Protected Area Network in West Africa2022Frontiers in Marine ScienceGreen turtles highlight the need to protect migratory corridors
OceanGlobal warming decreases connectivity among coral populations 2021Nature Climate ChangeIncreased temperatures lead to decreased connectivity in coral reefs
OceanMobile protected areas for biodiversity on the high seas2020ScienceCreating marine protected areas with mobile boundaries
OceanStrategically designed marine reserve networks are robust to climate change driven shifts in population connectivity2020Environmental Research LettersWill current marine reserve networks still be effective under climate change?
OceanThe current application of ecological connectivity in the design of marine protected areas2019Global Ecology and ConservationThe prevalence and practice of connectivity in marine conservation planning
OceanThe importance of migratory connectivity for global ocean policy2019Proceedings of the Royal Society BThe importance of migratory data to inform global ocean policy
OceanShould potential for climate change refugia be mainstreamed into the criteria for describing EBSAs?2019Conservation LettersThe prevalence and practice of connectivity in marine conservation planning
OceanStrategies in scheduling marine protected area establishment in a network system2019Ecological ApplicationsThe prevalence and practice of connectivity in marine conservation planning
Ocean, Wetland Ecological connectivity between the areas beyond national jurisdiction and coastal waters: Safeguarding interests of coastal communities in developing countries2019Marine PolicyThe prevalence and practice of connectivity in marine conservation planning
OceanDesigning connected marine reserves in the face of global warming2018Global Change BiologyHow can marine protected area networks be better designed?
OceanMeasuring site fidelity and homesite-to-pre-spawning site connectivity of Bonefish (Albula vulpes): using mark-recapture to inform habitat conservation2018Environmental Biology of FishesNA
Ocean, PolarAntarctica’s ecological isolation will be broken by storm-driven dispersal and warming2018Nature Climate ChangeNatural disasters and the science of landscape connectivity
OceanBiogeographic constraints to marine conservation in a changing climate2018Annals of the New York Academy of SciencesThe role of biogeography in planning and designing marine protected areas
OceanMeasuring progress in marine protection: a new set of metrics to evaluate the strength of marine protected area networks2018Biological ConservationHow can marine protected area networks be better designed?
OceanA decision tree that can address connectivity in the design of Marine Protected Area Networks (MPAn)2018Marine PolicyWill current marine reserve networks still be effective under climate change?
Ocean, PolarStepping stones to isolation: Impacts of a changing climate on the connectivity of fragmented fish populations 2018Evolutionary ApplicationsNA
OceanAnticipating changes to future connectivity within a network of marine protected areas2017Global Change BiologyThe future of marine connectivity under climate change
OceanImproving the interpretability of climate landscape metrics: an ecological risk analysis of Japan’s Marine Protected Areas2017Global Change BiologyThe future of marine connectivity under climate change
Ocean, FreshwaterClimate change decouples marine and freshwater habitats of a threatened migratory fish2017Diversity and DistributionsHow will migratory fish adapt to climate change with dams in the way?
OceanMovement, distribution and marine reserve use by an endangered migratory giant2017Diversity and DistributionsTracking endangered whale sharks to improve habitat conservation
OceanUniting paradigms of connectivity in marine ecology2016EcologyMerging paradigms of connectivity in marine ecology
OceanMelting barriers to faunal exchange across ocean basins2016Global Change BiologyBeyond the stranded polar bear: consequences of melting Arctic sea ice for animal movement
OceanCorridors for aliens but not for natives: effects of marine urban sprawl at a regional scale2015Diversity and DistributionsMarine urban sprawl creates corridors for invasives
OceanAdditive effects of climate change on connectivity between marine protected areas and larval supply to fished areas2015Diversity and DistributionsWill climate change impact connectivity of marine protected areas?
OceanFour-dimensional connectivity modelling with application to Australia's north and northwest marine environments2015Environmental Modelling and SoftwareNA
Ocean, FreshwaterHuman impacts on connectivity in marine and freshwater ecosystems assessed using graph theory: a review2015Marine & Freshwater ResearchLet’s review: recent summaries of connectivity research
OceanExtending networks of protected areas to optimize connectivity and population growth rate2014EcographyNA
OceanClimate change impacts on connectivity in the ocean: implications for conservation2014EcosphereThe future of ocean connectivity
OceanIntegrating connectivity and climate change into marine conservation planning2014Biological ConservationDeveloping quantitative management plans for marine protected areas
OceanNumerical modelling and graph theory tools to study ecological connectivity in the Great Barrier Reef2014Ecological ModellingNA
OceanAssessing the effects of large mobile predators on ecosystem connectivity2012Ecological ApplicationsNA
OceanThe pace of shifting climate in marine and terrestrial ecosystems2011ScienceThe role of biogeography in planning and designing marine protected areas
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Search our interactive map for hundreds of research summaries on connectivity and corridors, covering over three decades of publications.
 
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