A high-resolution spatial prioritization approach to improve the conservation strategies in a marine protected area in the Mexican Caribbean

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are considered the main tool for the conservation of coastal and marine ecosystems. Their effectiveness can be improved using spatially explicit approaches that integrate ecological information into management frameworks. In this study, we combined high-resolution benthic habitat mapping and seascape ecology metrics to identify priority areas for conservation in the Puerto Morelos Reef National Park (PNAPM). Quantitative analysis of benthic substrates allowed the classification of five habitat types: seagrass dominated, medium coverage of seagrass and sand, sand dominated, medium coverage to algal dominated over calcareous matrix, and reef crest. A thematic map was constructed using a supervised classification of a PlanetScope satellite image (overall accuracy = 85.1 and Kappa coefficient = 0.8), from which habitat patch complexity, patch-level connectivity, and β-diversity were calculated. These spatial layers were integrated using a weighted overlay analysis and an iterative process with all possible weight combinations to obtain an optimal map of the priority conservation areas. Habitats with high seagrass coverage dominated the PNAPM seascape, and eight high-priority zones were identified, mainly along the reef crest and northern reef lagoon, where management activities should be focused. The results of our analysis support the conservation objectives of the protected area and serve as a basis for updating the outdated management program. The integrative and reproducible approach used here offers a transparent, data-driven alternative to guide zoning processes within MPAs in shallow regions where coral reef systems are commonly distributed and supports the broader implementation of marine spatial planning strategies in the region.