Marine Protected Area Benefit Calculator
Compute marine protected area benefit using validated scientific equations. See step-by-step derivations, unit analysis, and reference values.
Reviewed by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer
Formula
Biomass Increase = Protection x TimeFactor x 200%
Benefits scale with protection (0-100%) and time via exponential recovery: TimeFactor = 1 - e^(-0.15 x years). Economic benefits include tourism, ecosystem services ($12500/sq km/yr), and fishery spillover.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Large No-Take Reserve
Problem:1000 sq km, 100% protection, 15 years, 150 species, 80000 visitors.
Solution:Time factor=89.5%\nBiomass +179%\nSpecies +40\nTourism=$3.6M\nEcosystem=$12.5M
Result:Biomass +179% | 40 species recovered | ~$16.3M/yr
Example 2: Small Partial MPA
Problem:100 sq km, 50% protection, 5 years, 80 species, 20000 visitors.
Solution:Time factor=52.8%\nBiomass +53%\nSpecies +6\nTourism=$450K\nEcosystem=$625K
Result:Biomass +53% | 6 species recovered | ~$1.1M/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a marine protected area?
A marine protected area (MPA) is an ocean zone where human activities are restricted to protect natural resources. They range from strict no-take reserves to multiple-use areas with varying regulation. About 8 percent of ocean is designated MPA though only 2 to 3 percent is fully protected. The Convention on Biological Diversity targets 30 percent ocean protection by 2030. MPAs protect species entire ecosystems or culturally significant areas.
References
Reviewed by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer · Editorial policy