Abstract

Marine populations possessing pelagic larval stages usually are connected to neighboring populations through the dispersal of these larvae, and occasionally through movement of adults. This demographic connectivity, via emigration and immigration of individuals, has important consequences for the rates of growth of individual populations. With appropriate levels of connectivity, neighboring populations will function as metapopulations and thereby have reduced risk of either extinction or eruption. Marine management, whether for sustainable fisheries or conservation or both, usually consists of manipulating human activities such as fishing or habitat modification in order to ensure sustainability of the marine population or ecosystem being managed. The level of human impact which is sustainable depends both on the nature of the impact, and on the demographic characteristics of the marine populations being impacted. Therefore it depends directly on the levels of connectivity in the system. Unfortunately, to date, there have been very few quantitative assessments of connectivity for any species in any region. Here I review methods for quantifying connectivity, and demonstrate the need for strong partnerships between management agencies and the scientific community if assessment of connectivity is to become more widely applied. Specific reference is made to management through use of marine protected areas because MPAs have become so important a management tool throughout the Caribbean, and to the Connectivity Program within the Coral Reef Targeted Research Project that is currently operating in the Mesoamerican region to demonstrate ways to determine connectivity of coastal marine species

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