Agustin Capriati

MPAs are a common management tool to protect coral reefs, conserve marine biodiversity, and create more resilient biological communities. However, each MPA has different functions and experience stressors to varying degrees. Therefore, the need to understand and improve MPA management is urgent, especially given the multitude of stressors. One key local stressor that has received less attention is the increase of nutrient concentrations (eutrophication). Eutrophication settings pose a clear threat to coral reefs by enhancing the growth of algae and pathogenic microbes, preventing opportunities for recovery, and affecting reef resilience. A significant challenge is understanding how the combined environmental disturbances of eutrophication and other stressors will erode reef and MPA resilience. To fill the knowledge gaps, a multi-faceted approach with a combination of systematic review, remote sensing analyses, empirical data collection, and qualitative modeling will be conducted in Indonesian MPAs and in targeted MPAs of Maluku and West Papua province. Understanding the relations, interactions, and consequences of eutrophication from land-based activities on the resilience of MPAs will allow us to form scientific guidelines for MPA policy development in Maluku and West Papua or any geographic location in order to achieve effective and well-managed conservation.