Marine protected areas
"Human-induced environmental disturbance - through fishery activities, coastal development, tourism and pollution - is a major challenge to the restoration and conservation of marine biodiversity. Synthesizing the latest research into marine biodiversity conservation and fisheries management, this book provides regional and global perspectives on the role of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in confronting this challenge. The approach is multidisciplinary, covering all the fields involved in designating and assessing MPAs: ecology, fisheries science, statistics, economics, sociology and genetics. The book is structured around key topics, including threats to marine ecosystems and resources, the effects and effectiveness of MPAs and the scaling-up of MPA systems. Both theoretical and empirical approaches are considered. Recognizing the diversity of MPA sciences, the book also includes one part designed specifically as a practical guide to implementing scientific assessment studies of MPAs and monitoring programs"-- "Early in their history, humans were just a new species, Homo sapiens sapiens, evolving within a broader history, natural history As they continually struggled for survival, the world around them seemed probably hostile and inhospitable. Death from predation, starvation, and disease was rife. At the same time, like all other species, humans used their environment to meet their needs for food and habitat, and, over time, for some cultural artefacts. With the evolution of their customs and the invention of agriculture, humans settled and created the first civilizations. Their relationship with nature changed. Humans then shaped their environment, the use of nature turned into exploitation. Rationalization was not far off. Changes wrought by humans on terrestrial realms were clearly visible. The awareness that these changes were impacting the natural environments led to the creation of the first nature reserves. Freud (1916) found in these creations a perfect parallel with the creation of the mental realm of phantasy, "withdrawn from the reality principle." For him, "a nation whose wealth rests on the exploitation of the produce of its soil will yet set aside certain areas for reservation in their original state and for protection from the changes brought about by civilization" (Freud, 1911). "The requirements of agriculture, communication and industry threaten to bring about changes in the original face of the earth which will quickly make it unrecognizable. "--
