Authors: Mahery Randrianarivo, Lahitsiresy Max Gasimandova, Johanès Tsilavonarivo, Andriamanjato Razakandrainy, Jacques Philippe, François Guilhaumon, Radonirina Lebely Botosoamananto, Lucie Penin, Gildas Todinanahary, Mehdi Adjeroud
Date of publication: 2024/12/10
Journal: Regional Studies in Marine Science
Volume: 77
Pages: 103710
Editor: Elsevier
Abstract: Large-scale disturbances and local stressors, most notably bleaching events, sedimentation, and overfishing, impact coral reefs around Madagascar. To enhance reef resilience, managers have established several marine protected areas (MPAs) since 1966. Here, we assess the effects of MPAs on the resilience potential of coral reefs using a multi-factor Recovery Index (RI), based on a multi-criteria analysis: the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). We sampled 18 stations, half of which in unfished areas, along three regions (Masoala in the NE, Nosy-Be in the NW and Salary Nord in the SW) that have been affected by the bleaching event of 2016, the most recent large-scale disturbance. We found a marked variation in RI between regions, with Masoala having the highest RI. We suggest that these results relate to the lower frequency of sea surface temperature anomalies …