A multilayered network analysis of social participation in the management of Marine Protected Areas in Brazil

Effective implementation of Marine Protected Areas (MPA) networks depends on social participation into management. In this study, a multilayered network analysis was used to understand patterns of social participation in MPA management in Brazil. To this end, managers were invited to answer an online questionnaire about interaction with social actors in 7 management activities. Engagement in management activities was represented as interactions between social actors and MPAs. Different types of management activity were represented as separate layers. All responding MPAs (n = 22) reported interactions with social actors, resulting in a network with 141 nodes connected by 182 edges. Governmental Organizations (GO) prevailed in surveillance and formal training activities, research was dominated by universities, monitoring activities were shared mainly by universities and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and community groups only had strong participation in environmental education activities. The network had low edge loss resilience with dependency on the participation of social actors in the management councils to maintain its current levels of connectivity. GOs that have important roles in the protection of terrestrial ecosystems have a restricted impact as higher-level coordinators of MPAs activities. Thus, the capacity building falls mainly on individual MPAs. Management councils are supposed to be the town halls where the different social sectors come together to discuss environmental problems in Brazil. However, some constraints must still exist, since only 51 % of Brazilian MPAs have legally instituted their councils. We suggest that their effective implementation, as ordered by law, is the best starting point to improve the dismal situation of Brazilian MPAs.

Automated summary

Effective implementation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Brazil depends on social participation, and this study examines the patterns of social participation in MPA management. The study finds that different types of management activities have different participating actors, with governmental organizations dominating surveillance and formal training, universities leading research, and monitoring activities being shared by universities and NGOs. Community groups have strong participation in environmental education activities. The study suggests that the effective establishment and implementation of management councils can improve the situation of Brazilian MPAs.