Habitat diversity relative to wave action on rocky shores: implications for the selection of marine protected areas.

The article highlights a research on the divisibility of the rocky shores in the west coast of South Africa into discrete habitats that need independent conservation. The research shows that rocky shores cannot be regarded as a uniform habitat for conservation, since the three discrete biologically-defined habitats need protection. Moreover, the research suggests that habitat heterogeneity constitutes a better measure of conservation value than a hotspot approach.