PUBLICATIONS

Deliverables

Strategic Guidance for the Integration of MPA and MSP Processes on Multiple Governance and Ecosystem Levels (D4.4)

Strategic guidance for integrating MPAs into MSP across governance levels and ecosystems, featuring a screening process, EU integration models, and key success factors such as stakeholder engagement and adaptive management.

Policy solutions for biodiversity conservation in marine and maritime policies (D6.2)

A proposition of concrete policy solutions to strengthen biodiversity integration into EU marine and maritime policies, addressing key governance, technical, and financial challenges.

Site specific solutions for accelerating biodiversity protection and restoration in MSP (D5.3)

A presentation of the application of the ESE Framework to develop and validate site-specific solutions for biodiversity protection and restoration within Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), through a collaborative process involving local stakeholders.

Critical review on multilevel ecological processes to improve systemic biodiversity protection and restoration strategies in Europe (D3.1)

A systematic review highlights the need for conservation strategies that prioritize ecological functions and connectivity in marine ecosystems. It aims to improve criteria for MPAs, EBSAs, and restoration actions.

Portfolio of improved ecological criteria to be applied in systemic biodiversity protection and restoration (D3.2)

A refined set of ecological criteria to strengthen biodiversity protection and restoration within maritime spatial planning, aligning with the EU Biodiversity Strategy.

Ecological toolkit (ESE1) for MPAs prioritization and networking (D3.4)

The ESE1 Ecological Toolkit supports MPA design and management by enhancing decision-making with tools like Tools4MSP and PW4B, integrating climate adaptation, connectivity, and conservation planning.

Criteria for the representation of the social and economic dimension of MPAs (D4.1)

This deliverable outlines a methodology to define socio-economic and governance criteria for marine management, linking ecosystem services to human activities to enhance MSP and MPA processes effectively.

Guideline for the strategic and spatial measures for the nature-inclusive operation of blue (D4.2)

As the blue economy grows, interactions with MPAs bring challenges to ecosystems. This report offers tailored recommendations for aquaculture, fisheries, marine resources, energy, and tourism, promoting sustainability.

Trade-offs method for protection and restoration in MSP – ESE3 (D4.3)

This deliverable details the creation of trade-off scenarios in MSP4BIO to enhance marine management and safeguard ecosystem services. Developed with stakeholders, it offers guidelines for MPA design, exploring human-ecosystem interactions and impacts. Tested at project sites, outcomes will support decision-making and integrate into ESE 3 under Task 4.4.

Site specific gaps and opportunities to support knowledge-based MSP (D5.1)

The deliverable focuses on a gap analysis of MPA networks in six test sites across five sea basins highlights areas for improvement in maritime spatial planning, guiding future MSP4BIO project efforts.

Guidance for building climate change scenarios for protection strategies (D3.3)

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are designated zones aimed at conserving marine ecosystems, safeguarding biodiversity, and sustaining yields of nearby artisanal fisheries, with potential benefits...

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State of the art on key barriers and levers for policy coherence (D6.1)

Reversing biodiversity loss requires mainstreaming biodiversity concern and objectives into all relevant environmental and non-environmental policies, strategies, and practices across policy levels...

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State of the art on key barriers and levers for policy coherence (Summary D6.1)

Check out what this comprehensive work was about, the full deliverable will come out soon!

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Overview of the available biodiversity datasets and platforms relevant for planning (D2.1)

This deliverable presents a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the availability of data required by the MSP4BIO project. In total, 339 datasets...

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Trade-offs method for protection and restoration in MSP-ESE3 (Summary D4.3)

Check out the deliverable on participatory integrated trade-off scenario within the MSP4BIO project, targeting improving the management of marine spaces and safeguarding ecosystem services.

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State of the art overview of the current protection and restoration measures in place (D2.3)

A comprehensive review of marine conservation measures, including MPAs, OECMs, and restoration efforts across Europe, explores trade-offs, challenges, and transferable practices through case studies and interviews.

Scientific Publications

Link marine restoration to marine spatial planning through ecosystem-based management to maximize ocean regeneration

This paper explores how Maritime Spatial Planning can boost nature restoration using a biodiversity-centric approach to ocean management.

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The Diverse Legal and Regulatory Framework for Marine Sustainability Policy in the North Atlantic

Horrendograms as Tools to Assist Circumnavigating Through a Sea of Different Maritime Policies. In: Partelow, S., Hadjimichael, M., Hornidge, AK. (eds) Ocean Governance.

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STOTEN Special issue: Blue knowledge generation for improving sustainable water and coastal management.

This special issue aims at providing blue knowledge development and mechanisms that can be transferred into actions to improve a sustainable water and coastal management.

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A proposal for engagement in MPAs in areas beyond national jurisdiction: The case of Macaronesia, Science of the Total Environment

The present paper aims to develop a MPA proposal in the ABNJ context through expert consultation. The proposal was built upon the analysis of the Macaronesia region study case.

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Marine spatial planning and marine protected area planning are not the same and both are key for sustainability in a changing ocean.

This paper clearly defines and distinguishes MSP and MPAs discussing opportunities to optimise synergies, especially under rapidly changing climate.

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Assessing cumulative impacts of human-induced pressures on reef and sandbank habitats and associated biotopes in the northeastern Baltic Sea

Using the PlanWise4Blue decision support tool (DST), this research examined cumulative impacts on the northeastern Baltic Sea.

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Spatial decision support systems for ecosystem-based marine management

This PhD dissertation developed web-based operational decision support tools to collect and analyse data and insights as well as to facilitate communication and discussion with stakeholders.

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Assessing stakeholder participation in coastal zone management: Methodological proposal and its application in a case study from Cádiz Bay, Andalusia (Spain)

The study presents a systematic approach to evaluate stakeholder participation in coastal zone management, revealing key challenges like underrepresentation and fragmentation in Cádiz Bay, Spain.

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Forging ahead: Climate-smart maritime spatial planning for the future

This conference report explores the critical intersection of Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) and climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.

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Toward Sustainable Conservation: Addressing Trade-offs in Marine Environment

This MSc Thesis explores how trade-offs—mainly between conservation and development—are addressed, emphasizing their central role in achieving sustainable and balanced ocean management.

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Trade-Offs in Marine Policy Decisions Through the Lens of Literature

Rising maritime activities have increased environmental impacts and competition for marine resources. This study explores trade-offs in marine management tools like MPAs and MSP to balance conservation and socioeconomic goals.

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Marine protected areas as socio-economic systems: a method for defining socio-economic criteria in marine planning

This research prioritizes marine management proposals using socio-economic criteria and assesses ecosystem services' societal value.

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Navigating trade-offs on conservation: the use of participatory mapping in maritime spatial planning

This paper offers participatory-based methodological guidelines for applying trade-off analysis in marine spatial planning, aiding MPA design by balancing ecological and socio-economic objectives through stakeholder-informed scenarios.

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Climate-smart marine spatial planning to support long-term conservation of marine biodiversity: barriers and future actions

Master thesis by Nancy Cross

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Analysis and proposals to guide, from an ecosystem-based approach, the development of sectors operating in European MPAs

Master thesis by Silvia Rayo

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Connecting People, Space, and Nature: A Governance Perspective on Ecosystem Services in MSP and MPAs

PhD dissertation by Camila Pegorelli

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Analysis of marine biodiversity protection measures in maritime spatial planning documents

PhD dissertation by Volcy Boilevin

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