Insights from systematic conservation planning of an MPA network for all European seas

We have prepared standardised data layers to design an ecologically coherent network of Marine Protected Areas (MPA) for all European seas (including Exclusive Economic Zones and Mediterranean and Baltic High Seas). The map layers include new species distribution models for 10,000 species with projected range shifts due to climate change.

While most species are projected to extend their northern and contract their southern distribution ranges, they will remain present in almost their entire current range. Thus, the proposed MPA network will generally accommodate future distributions under different climate change scenarios.

In addition, a new database of organic carbon concentrations in the seafloor, correlated with environmental data, enabled mapping carbon stores in the pan-European marine regions. Areas of high organic carbon content occurred in more wave sheltered and colder areas, such as in the Baltic, Black, Aegean, and Adriatic seas, and in coastal fjords of Scotland and Norway.

We will present these results and comparisons between species richness, IUCN Red List threatened species distributions, species threatened by climate change (if any), seabed habitats, carbon stores and potential MPA network for 10% and 30% of the area of European seas. The outcome will be a scientific foundation for deciding where to protect (a) seabed carbon stores, (b) 10% (strictly) and 30% (highly) of marine biodiversity, that is resilient to climate change.