The MESCAL project (Multiscale Connectivity at Species and Community Levels to Achieve Conservation Goals under Climate Change) was officially launched at its kick-off meeting in Mombasa.
At a glance
- Role — Co-led with David Kaplan (MARBEC, IRD)
- Scope — 15 institutions · 5 countries
- Kick-off — 4–6 Oct 2025, KMFRI Mombasa
- Duration — 4 years
- Funding — SIOMPA · AFD · ANR · NRF · COSTECH
The question
How can Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and ecological connectivity enhance the resilience of coastal marine ecosystems in the Western Indian Ocean to climate change?
Objectives
- Model future temperature and larval connectivity from Kenya to South Africa
- Test whether MPAs safeguard high-performance fish, heat-tolerant genotypes, and key species
- Assess whether MPAs can prevent biodiversity and fisheries from tipping into collapse
- Co-design MPA networks that enhance climate resilience
- Integrate local ecological knowledge and stakeholder visions into marine spatial planning
Approach
MESCAL combines physiology, otolith analysis, genomics, eDNA, ecosystem and oceanographic/larval modeling, and local ecological knowledge with socio-economic methods — underpinned by strong regional partnerships.
