Guidebook for the Identification, Delineation and Prioritization of Marine Key Biodiversity Areas: Global Site Conservation Targets for the Marine Environment

Abstract

By mapping locations of threatened species and populations that are highly aggregated in time or space, the Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) process allows marine sites of global biodiversity significance to be systematically identified. This process is undertaken using simple criteria and fills a critical need to incorporate species vulnerability and irreplaceability into Marine Protected Area (MPA) planning. KBA networks are expected to overcome many deficiencies in current marine biodiversity conservation strategies. In short, KBAs are sites of global conservation significance that are actually or can potentially be managed for conservation.