Adaptive capacity of marine other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) in an era of global climate change: a case study analysis of Canada and the Scotian Shelf

Abstract

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are often designed and managed with limited consideration of climate change and its impacts, potentially undermining their long-term efficacy. Other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) are a relatively new conservation tool that can acknowledge areas with conservation benefits that otherwise do not qualify as MPAs. OECMs have potentially greater adaptive capacity than MPAs, because they can be implemented using faster and more flexible regulations. As Canada advances toward protecting 30% of its marine and coastal areas by 2030 through both MPAs and OECMs, OECMs likely have an important role in ensuring effective conservation through adaptation in a changing climate This study redefines five domains of adaptation described in the literature (assets, flexibility, organization, learning, and agency) in the context of protected areas. Using case study analysis, this research assesses how each of these adaptation domains are reflected in Canada’s marine OECM environment and OECM management in Canada’s Scotian Shelf-Bay of Fundy (SS-BOF) Bioregion. Results highlight that adaptive capacity of Canada’s marine OECMs is substantially lacking at present, and progress to advance all five adaptation domains is crucial to ensuring that Canada’s marine conservation system continues to deliver long-term conservation benefits. This research provides guidance to researchers, planners, and decision-makers for developing truly adaptive conservation measures in this era of global climate change.