Sediments and marine protected areas

Any consideration of the processes in marine environment affecting MPAs must take into account the influence of sediments, including the causes and effects of these, together with any mitigation of their effects if necessary. In essence, the problem is fairly simple: sediments are transported by waves and currents into an area, where they may either reduce ambient light or settle to the bed (temporarily or permanently), creating a change in the character of the aquatic environment. This chapter is an attempt to describe the processes that cause this and other related phenomena to occur, and to offer some general principles regarding their effects in Marine Protected Areas. Some examples will be given of instances where MPAs are or have been vulnerable to the effects of sediment transport, and some comments made on general management principles and recommendations for further research efforts.