**Thesis (M/F) Socio-ecological trajectories of marine protected areas: an integrated approach based on the 'Nature Futures Framework'

Job Description

Thesis Subject

**Thesis topic**

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are the primary tool for conserving marine biodiversity, managing fishery resources, and safeguarding the healthy functioning. Their expansion, driven by the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Agreement (2022) to protect 30% of the oceans by 2030, is accompanied by expectations regarding their ability to balance biodiversity conservation with the uses of these areas. While numerous studies have demonstrated the positive impacts of MPAs on the ecological state of ecosystems, those focusing on socio-cultural and economic dimensions remain more mixed. There is a need for approaches capable of better taking into account the various relationships with nature.

The IPBES “Nature Futures Framework” (NFF) integrates three perspectives on the valuation of biodiversity: “Nature for Nature” (Nn, intrinsic value), “Nature for Society” (Ns, instrumental value), and “Nature as Culture” (Nc, relational value). Since its introduction in 2020, the NFF has primarily been used to guide the qualitative co-construction of desirable futures. However, its application remains limited in marine contexts, and even more so as a tool for planning and conservation strategies. When applied to MPAs, the NFF would allow for the analysis of how different management strategies generate synergies or trade-offs between conservation, use, and cultural relations. Recent studies have helped characterize certain contributions of reef communities to the Nn and Ns dimensions, while highlighting the need for further research to integrate the Nc dimension.

Thesis Objectives:

This thesis aims to develop and apply a framework for characterizing the three dimensions of the NFF in the context of MPAs, in order to understand the effects of management approaches on the trajectories of marine socio-ecosystems.

This thesis will focus on three research questions/areas:

1. *Which indicators can be used to track the trajectories of MPAs across the dimensions of NFF?*

A literature review will identify indicators able to characterize the dimensions of NFF. These indicators will be selected based on their quantifiable or semi-quantifiable nature (particularly those related to management practices) and their availability in time series. The choice of indicators will be supported by an analysis of gray literature on MPAs (e.g., management plans), aimed at documenting the feasibility of analyses based on frequently monitored data. The feasibility of the method will be tested on a few pilot MPAs.

2. *How do global MPAs fit into the NFF framework?*

This research track aims to apply the methodology developed in Track 1 to a representative sample of global MPAs selected from among the 707 actively managed MPAs (Marine Protection Atlas). We will prioritize MPAs with documented time series and that have undergone at least two revisions of their management plan. Selection criteria will include their size, location (ocean basin, accessibility), and protection level (from no-take to multi-use), in order to obtain a sample with contrasting characteristics. Analyses will characterize the diversity of spatial patterns in the NFF to identify a comprehensive typology of MPAs and explain it through contextual factors (e.g., dependence on marine resources, GDP). Hypothesis 1: The older the MPA, the more protection maximizes Nn contributions. Hypothesis 2: Multi-use MPAs can maximize Ns and Nc when their governance is inclusive. Hypothesis 3: Age, size, and the budget allocated to monitoring influence the position of MPAs within the NFF.

3. *What factors determine the temporal trajectories of MPAs within the NFF?*

This research ~~focus~~ aims to analyze the temporal trajectories of MPAs within the NFF and to examine the contextual factors that explain the dominant transition dynamics. A content analysis of management plans and other documentary sources will examine, for a select number of MPAs, the institutional, ecological, and social drivers of change, in order to document the determinants of an MPA's shift toward one or another dimension of the NFF (e.g., rules protecting certain uses, inclusivity of governance, adaptive management). Hypothesis 4: The greater the dependence on marine resources among populations adjacent to an MPA, the more Nn strategies shift toward Ns strategies.

Desired profile and required skills:

* Master's degree (or currently completing one) in marine ecology, environmental geography, or other relevant disciplines

* Strong interest in interdisciplinary research

* Skills in statistical analysis and database management

* Programming skills (R or Python)

* Interest in literature reviews

* Good command of English (minimum C1 level). Knowledge of French is a plus, but is not required

Your Work Environment

The doctoral student will be co-supervised by Nicolas Loiseau (CNRS, UMR 9190 MARBEC) and Rodolphe Devillers (IRD, UMR 228 ESPACE-DEV) and co-mentored by Rachel Bitoun (IRD, Espace-Dev). The student will be administratively affiliated with UMR MARBEC and based at the UMR ESPACE-DEV offices in the Maison de la Télédétection (MTD) in Montpellier, on the Agropolis campus, where they will have an office and a computer workstation, as well as access to training opportunities and resources typically available to PhD students. The thesis is funded by the CNRS Mission for Transversal and Interdisciplinary Initiatives (MITI), via the French Ocean and Seas Research Group (*GDR OMER*).

Constraints and risks

The PhD student must comply with the PhD charter applicable to their affiliated doctoral school and adhere to the regulations of their employing body (CNRS) and the host institution, whether within their home laboratory (MARBEC) or their host laboratory (ESPACE-DEV). As the thesis is co-supervised by MARBEC and ESPACE-DEV, the candidate must demonstrate rigour and flexibility. Occupational risks: Risks associated with working at a computer screen (ergonomics, etc.)

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2300 € gross monthly

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

The research professions