BAKALAUREUSETÖÖ Merekaitseala võrgustikud Läänemeres
in the Baltic Sea
The acknowledgement for need of marine protected areas (MPA) has lead to an
increasing expansion of the latter. It has been noted that individual MPA's can not
conserve biodiversity in the long run. Hence the need for MPA networks that connects the
established and new protected areas is essential. MPA networks can ensure better
biodiversity and habitat protection.
The scope of marine protected areas depends on the specific goals, species and habitats
that need protection. Unambigiously determined MPA size does not exist. When
designing a protected area, it is important to take into consideration the species specific
repercussions to abandonment of habitats and fragmentation, with habitat composition of
species. Reasearch indicate that the diversity of communities and average size of
organisms among protected areas are 20-30% greater than in the areas that are not under
protection. Also the density of organisms and biomass in those areas are approximately
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