...
This vast array of considerations can seem daunting. The optimal layout of Marine Reserves must consider numerous biological, physical, and social factors, as well as the very practical issues of cost and enforceability. Fortunately, there exist several sophisticated environmental modeling packages such as Marxan (Possingham, Ball, & Andleman 2000), ResNet, and C-Plan that use stochastic statistical methods to optimize these many parameters. Naturally, these types of algorithms are only as good as the input data put into them, so continued emphasis on the collection of scientific data is essential to the optimal design, and hence eventual success of marine reserves.
Figure 1. Taken from ___Google Images, depicting possible Marine Protected Areas.
...