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In this article the authors discuss the importance of integrating scientific knowledge and methods into payments for ecosystem services (PES). They discuss the challenges of identifying whom to compensate, what to pay, how much to pay, and the mechanisms for payment, the variation of scientific content of PES programs and projects, and the establishment of standards. A framework for integrating natural science into PES, based on six natural science principles, is presented.

Comprehensive spatial planning in international waters is key to achieving ocean sustainability.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are conservation tools intended to protect biodiversity, promote healthy and resilient marine ecosystems, and provide societal benefits. Despite codification of MPAs in international agreements, MPA effectiveness is currently undermined by confusion about the many MPA types and consequent wildly differing outcomes. We present a clarifying science-driven framework—The MPA Guide—to aid design and evaluation. The guide categorizes MPAs by stage of establishment and level of protection, specifies the resulting direct and indirect outcomes for biodiversity and human well-being, and describes the key conditions necessary for positive outcomes. Use of this MPA Guide by scientists, managers, policy-makers, and communities can improve effective design, implementation, assessment, and tracking of existing and future MPAs to achieve conservation goals by using scientifically grounded practices.