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Seascape connectivity: evidence, knowledge gaps and implications for temperate coastal ecosystem restoration practice and policy

J. Preston, A. Debney, C. Gamble, M. J. Hardy, G. J. C. Underwood, A. Garbutt, J. Harley, R. Baker, R. M. Dunk, M. Grigg, B. T. Hancock, I. W. Hendy, E. C. La Marca, J. Murray, N. Pettorelli, S. J. Pittman, S. E. Reeves, M. Robertson, A. M. Sturrock, R. H. Thurstan, Richard Unsworth Orcid Logo, E. A. Ward, S. L. Ward, G. J. Watson, S. C. L. Watson, L. M. Wedding, T. A. Worthington, R. A. Wright, C. Yesson, P. S. E. zu Ermgassen

npj Ocean Sustainability, Volume: 4, Start page: 33

Swansea University Author: Richard Unsworth Orcid Logo

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DOI (Published version): 10.1038/s44183-025-00128-3

Abstract

Temperate coastal marine ecosystems have undergone severe global loss and degradation. We provide a framework for considering ecological connectivity in marine systems and evidence for ecological connectivity across temperate coastal seascapes, developed through expert consensus and structured revie...

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Published in: npj Ocean Sustainability
ISSN: 2731-426X
Published: Springer Nature 2025
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69736
Abstract: Temperate coastal marine ecosystems have undergone severe global loss and degradation. We provide a framework for considering ecological connectivity in marine systems and evidence for ecological connectivity across temperate coastal seascapes, developed through expert consensus and structured review. We demonstrate that ecosystem functioning and the delivery of ecosystem services require the existence of a healthy mosaic of coastal habitats, maintained by the exchanges of matter and energy between them. We advocate a seascape approach, that restores connectivity and optimal structure-function relationships, is crucial for successful ecosystem restoration. Consequently, we provide recommendations to deliver seascape restoration of coastal habitats to support the targets set by the 2021-30 UN Decades of Ocean Science and Ecosystem Restoration. Acknowledging the interconnected nature of coastal ecosystems has implications for policy. We identify opportunities and actions to support nature recovery and integrate policy frameworks across climate and biodiversity agendas to achieve international goals for planetary resilience.
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Funders: The ZSL symposium on Ecological Connectivity Across Temperate Coastal Habitats and the subsequent one-day workshop were funded by the Zoological Society of London, with co-funding via the LIFE Programme, funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor CINEA can be held responsible for them. Thank you to The Oak Foundation for contributing funds towards the production of infographics included within this paper. JP, JM and RW acknowledge funding from the Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme, managed by the Cambridge Conservation Initiative and funded by Arcadia, and East Head Impact. N.P. and C.Y. were funded by Research England. A.M.S. was funded by a UKRI FLF [MR/V023578/1]. G.J.C.U. was supported by UKRI NERC [NE/01868X/1]. Blue Marine Foundation and Platform Earth provided funding to A.G., and via UKCEH contract 08433 to G.J.C.U., J.H., M.H. and J.P. J.P. was supported by UK NERC [NE/Z503368/1].
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