A systematic review of ecosystem services of Islas Marietas National Park, Mexico, an insular marine protected area

Islands are good models to conceptualize how ecosystem services are part of interactions in social-ecological systems. However, efforts have been insufficient to synthesize and integrate the accumulated knowledge of islands’ ecosystem services. Holistic islands’ ecosystem services assessments are key to achieve an effective translation of research into decision making, in contexts such as loss of biodiversity and climate change. Using a systematic review of 58 studies published from 1964 to 2019, we identified associations between environments, habitats, ecosystem services, their components and beneficiaries in Islas Marietas National Park (IMNP), marine protected area and international tourist destination in western Mexico. Analysis of occurrence and data visualization were applied to synthesize the information. We identified 12 ecosystem services, the most quantified services being migratory and nursery habitat for species, followed by gene pool protection, recreation and tourism in marine ecosystems, especially in coral reefs. The most quantified component was “supply” for eight services. Main beneficiaries of knowledge of services were information brokers. We highlighted substantial knowledge gaps and identified constraints to advance knowledge of ecosystem services in IMNP. We proposed steps to incorporate the islands’ ecosystem services into decision making, and visualized pathways for future social-ecological synthesis research in marine protected areas.