University of Tasmania
Browse

Challenges for restoration of coastal marine ecosystems in the Anthropocene

Download (1005.88 kB)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-21, 09:29 authored by Abelson, A, Reed, DC, Graham EdgarGraham Edgar, Smith, CS, Kendrick, GA, Orth, RJ, Airoldi, L, Silliman, B, Beck, MW, Krause, G, Shashar, N, Stambler, N, Nelson, P
Coastal marine ecosystems provide critical goods and services to humanity but many are experiencing rapid degradation. The need for effective restoration tools capable of promoting large-scale recovery of coastal ecosystems in the face of intensifying climatic stress has never been greater. We identify four major challenges for more effective implementation of coastal marine ecosystem restoration (MER): (1) development of effective, scalable restoration methods, (2) incorporation of innovative tools that promote climate adaptation, (3) integration of social and ecological restoration priorities, and (4) promotion of the perception and use of coastal MER as a scientifically credible management approach. Tackling these challenges should improve restoration success rates, heighten their recognition, and accelerate investment in and promotion of coastal MER. To reverse the accelerating decline of marine ecosystems, we discuss potential directions for meeting these challenges by applying coastal MER tools that are science-based and actionable. For coastal restoration to have a global impact, it must incorporate social science, technological and conceptual advances, and plan for future climate scenarios.

History

Publication title

Frontiers in Marine Science

Volume

7

Article number

544105

Number

544105

Pagination

1-14

ISSN

2296-7745

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Frontiers Research Foundation

Place of publication

Switzerland

Rights statement

Copyright © 2020 Abelson, Reed, Edgar, Smith, Kendrick, Orth, Airoldi, Silliman, Beck, Krause, Shashar, Stambler and Nelson. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Conserving natural heritage; Assessment and management of coastal and estuarine ecosystems; Rehabilitation or conservation of marine environments