Highlights

• The study introduces a modified Moran’s I index to quantitatively assess social-ecological fit in MPAs, a method not applied previously to such conservation efforts.
• Its findings reveal specific fit challenges and propose locally tailored solutions to optimize conservation outcomes for Sousa chinensis.
• This quantitative method for fit assessment offers a scalable model that can apply globally to other social-ecological systems facing similar conservation challenges​

Summary

This research examines the optimization of social-ecological fit in marine protected areas (MPAs) for the endangered Sousa chinensis (Chinese white dolphin) in China. It introduces a quantitative approach, using a modified Moran’s I index, to evaluate and improve the alignment of social and ecological factors within these MPAs.

Its findings indicate varied levels of fit across six MPAs, with higher fits often linked to strong social-ecological connections and lower fits where resource access is poorly integrated among stakeholders.

The study offers specific recommendations for enhancing governance, resource sharing, and community involvement to bolster conservation outcomes. These insights are intended to provide globally applicable strategies for improving social-ecological interactions in diverse marine ecosystems.

Chen and Z. Xu, “Optimization of social-ecological fit in China’s Sousa Chinensis protected areas based on modified Moran’s I,” Ocean & Coastal Management, vol. 255, p. 107234, Sep. 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2024.107234.