Abstract

Whether a reserve’s objective is biodiversity or production the food base is a critical consideration. At this time no amount of effort by scientists can make a productive reserve from an unproductive site. While encompassing a variety of habitats in a reserve improves the prospects for productivity within a habitat, such as grassbeds or mangroves, variation in productivity may result in selection of a low production area. Sampling of grassbeds and mangroves suggest that selection of a habitat on a general basis is not adequate and productive areas (critical habitat?) must be identified and incorporated into reserve designs. The challenge for scientist is to develop methods to rapidly assess the quality of an area to decide whether to include or exclude it in a reserve plan. Recommendations are given as to what factors might be examined.

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