Assessing the success of marine ecosystem restoration using meta-analysis

Nature Communications, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 16(1)

Опубликована: Март 29, 2025

Marine ecosystem restoration success stories are needed to incentivize society and private enterprises build capacity stimulate investments. Yet, we still must demonstrate that efforts can effectively contribute achieving the targets set by UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Here, conduct a meta-analysis 764 active interventions across wide range of marine habitats worldwide. We show restorations have an average ~64% they are: viable for large variety habitats, including deep-sea ecosystems; highly successful saltmarshes, tropical coral reefs habitat-forming species such as animal forests; at all spatial scales, so over scales be done using multiple small-spatial better represent natural variability, scalable through dedicated policies, regulations, financing instruments. Restoration were surprisingly effective even in areas where human impacts persisted, demonstrating initiated before stressors been removed. These results immediate feasibility global 'blue restoration' plan ecosystems, enabled increasing availability new cost-effective technologies. This study evaluated descriptive statistical comparison, formal conducted interventions, mixed model based spectrum survival data reported reviewed literature.

Язык: Английский

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Reviving shellfish reef socio-ecological histories for modern management and restoration

Ocean & Coastal Management, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 261, С. 107540 - 107540

Опубликована: Янв. 13, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Turning a lost reef ecosystem into a national restoration program

Conservation Biology, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 36(6)

Опубликована: Авг. 7, 2022

Achieving a sustainable socioecological future now requires large-scale environmental repair across legislative borders. Yet, enabling conservation is complicated by policy-making processes that are disconnected from socioeconomic interests, multiple sources of knowledge, and differing applications policy. We considered how multidisciplinary approach to marine habitat restoration generated the scientific evidence base, community support, funding needed begin forgotten, functionally extinct shellfish reef ecosystem. The key actors came together as researchers, practitioners, recreational fisher communities, government bodies collaborated sectors rediscover Australia's lost reefs communicate value its restoration. Actions undertaken build case for included synthesizing current knowledge on Australian their historical decline, using this history tell compelling story spark public political interest, integrating into policy, rallying local support through engagement. Clearly articulating social, economic, business led state national meet diverse sustainability goals (e.g., enhanced biodiversity fisheries productivity) job creation opportunities). A lesson learned was importance aligning project with industry interests so projects could address obligations. This process culminated in largest initiative shows solutions ecosystem can rapidly occur when socially valued science acts opportunities.Transformación de un Ecosistema Arrecifal Perdido en Programa Nacional Restauración Resumen Actualmente se requiere una reparación ambiental gran escala que atraviese fronteras legislativas para lograr futuro socio-ecológico sustentable. Aun así, habilitar la conservación es complicado debido los procesos elaboración políticas están desconectadas intereses socio-económicos, las múltiples fuentes conocimiento y diferentes aplicaciones políticas. Consideramos cómo estrategia multidisciplinaria restauración hábitats marinos generó base evidencia científica, apoyo comunitario el financiamiento necesario así iniciar ecosistema arrecifal conchas funcionalmente extinto. Los actores clave formaron comunidad investigadores, practicantes conservación, comunidades pescadores recreativos órganos gubernamentales colaboró con varios sectores redescubrir arrecifes perdidos Australia comunicó valor su restauración. Las acciones realizadas armar caso marina incluyeron síntesis del actual sobre declinación histórica, uso esta historia contar narración convincente active interés público político, integración política gubernamental movilización por medio participación comunitaria. Claramente, articulación negocio económico llevó al estatal nacional cumplir diversos objetivos socio-económicos (p. ej.: creación empleos, oportunidades recreativas) productividad realzada biodiversidad pesquerías). Una lección aprendimos fue lo importante alinear proyecto públicos industria, tal manera proyectos aborden obligaciones Este proceso culminó iniciativa más grande demuestra soluciones ecosistemas pueden ocurrir rápidamente cuando ciencia social actúa

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Current extent and future opportunities for living shorelines in Australia

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 917, С. 170363 - 170363

Опубликована: Фев. 2, 2024

Living shorelines aim to enhance the resilience of coastlines hazards while simultaneously delivering co-benefits such as carbon sequestration. Despite potential ecological and socio-economic benefits living over conventional engineered coastal protection structures, application is limited globally. Australia has a long diverse coastline that provides prime opportunities for using beaches dunes, vegetation, biogenic reefs, which may be either natural ('soft' approach) or with an structural component ('hybrid' approach). Published scientific studies, however, have indicated use in Australia. In response, we combined national survey interviews practitioners grey peer-reviewed literature search (1) identify barriers shoreline implementation; (2) create database projects based on sources other than literature. Projects included were those had primary secondary goal assets from erosion and/or flooding. We identified 138 through means sampled starting 1970; number increasing time particularly since 2000. Over half total (59 %) considered successful according their initial stated objective (i.e., reducing hazard risk) 18 % could not assessed success information available. Seventy percent received formal informal monitoring. Even absence support construction Australia, discovered local regional increases use. This suggests are learning on-the-ground, however more generally it was few examples being made available, suggesting barrier sharing among agencies at broader scale. A can increase knowledge globally develop best practice informs technical guidelines different approaches helps focus attention areas further research.

Язык: Английский

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Estimating enhanced fish production on restored shellfish reefs using automated data collection from underwater videos

Journal of Applied Ecology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 61(4), С. 633 - 646

Опубликована: Март 6, 2024

Abstract Shellfish reefs across the world have been heavily degraded by mechanical harvesting, disease and declining water quality. In southern Australia, where substantial losses occurred, government non‐government efforts to restore functioning are now underway with a strong focus on enhancing fish productivity. However, capacity of these restored enhance production remains unknown, hampering estimates return investment. We quantify density differences newly recruited juvenile other nekton reefs, relative those unrestored, unstructured habitat. Fish were surveyed at three paired reef‐unstructured locations using 169 unbaited stereo video deployments during periods over 12 months (2022–2023). used automation software, FishID, automatically identify, size count in videos. subsequently applied known growth mortality parameters model enhancement Sixteen species occurred as new recruits, all but two found higher densities than Enhancement from subtidal shellfish single year's cohort is estimated be, average, 6186 kg ha −1 year (SD 1802) after enough time has elapsed for matured. Species harvested commercially or recreationally contributed 98% that (6083 , SD 1797). varied greatly among locations, ranging 12,738 2894), which highest yet recorded anywhere, 1.4 0.9). The lack location lowest might be explained impact overfishing recruitment key an abundance alternative habitat fish. Synthesis applications . combination underwater videos automated data extraction provides reliable, cost‐effective method surveying oyster reefs. By quantifying enhanced productivity we provide will underpin calculations ecological, social financial benefits, supporting business case scaling‐up restoration efforts.

Язык: Английский

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Potential of Mussel Habitat Enhancement to Alleviate Eutrophication in Nutrient‐Enriched Estuaries

Ecological Management & Restoration, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 26(2)

Опубликована: Фев. 17, 2025

ABSTRACT Through altered freshwater flow regimes and excessive anthropogenic nutrient input, many estuaries around the world are showing signs of eutrophication. As shellfish can alleviate some these issues through their water filtration capacity, habitat restoration efforts have increased markedly in past decade. This study quantifies, for first time, capacity Black Pygmy Mussel Xenostrobus securis potential enhancement to eutrophication a hypereutrophic estuary south Western Australia. Substrate, comprising coir matting, was deployed by community volunteers four‐panel arrangements rivers Swan‐Canning Estuary onto which X. recruited naturally. In Swan River, average mussel densities were 3377 individuals m −2 , based on 10% mat coverage. River comprised relatively high particulate organic matter (POM) concentrations, particularly spring (up 9.2 mg L −1 ). Standardised clearance rates (CR; g tissue) typically greater (> 5.0 h ) summer when chlorophyll salinities temperature elevated, whereas CR often < 2.0 early spring. it estimated that every square metre enhanced, × 10 5 could be potentially cleared during 1.7 6 over summer, latter incorporating 5.3 kg into biomass. On larger scale, 1000 2 course has clear 24.5% volume tidal portion 64.4% smaller Canning River. The results thus demonstrate efficacy using cost‐effective soft substrates enhance mussels its assist alleviating issues.

Язык: Английский

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The shifting baseline syndrome as a connective concept for more informed and just responses to global environmental change

People and Nature, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 5(3), С. 885 - 896

Опубликована: Май 15, 2023

Abstract The concept of the ‘shifting baseline syndrome’ has assisted researchers in understanding how expectations for health environment deteriorate, despite known, often widespread, and significant impacts from human activities. been used to demonstrate that more accurate assessment historical ecosystem decline can be achieved by balancing contemporary perceptions with other sorts evidence, is now widely referred studies assessing environmental change. potential this as a model examining addressing complex multidimensional social‐ecological interactions, however, underexplored current approaches have limitations. We perceive shifting syndrome rare working example ‘connective concept’ work across fields science, humanities others re‐envisioning way would assist us establish complete, true reflective baselines. Through our diverse author team, range disciplines, geographies cultural backgrounds, we identify gaps knowledge concept, its use effects, describe several could taken improve investigations capitalise on connectivity it fosters. This support informed just forward global Read free Plain Language Summary article Journal blog.

Язык: Английский

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Reversing functional extinction: successful restoration of eradicated oyster reefs

Restoration Ecology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 32(5)

Опубликована: Май 6, 2024

Functionally extinct ecosystems, those that have been locally eradicated save for remnant individuals, are unlikely to naturally recover over meaningful human time frames. However, ecosystem restoration provides opportunities reverse functional extinction by rapidly addressing the physical and/or biological barriers prevent natural recovery. Here, we assess progress of a native Flat oyster ( Ostrea angasi ) reef in South Australia was from Australian mainland approximately 100 years ago. In absence any reference ecosystems region, assessed relative ecological targets informed combination local rocky and an interim model Australia's sole remaining O. reef, Tasmania. Two half after initiated via construction 14 boulder reefs, observed densities restored adult (192 ± 19 m −2 ; mean 1 SE) exceeded on reef. Communities macroinvertebrates represented 60% biodiversity healthy systems, while functions (e.g. filter feeding) demonstrably increasing. The rate recovery this benthic ecosystem, functionally within several years, demonstrates latent resilience degraded communities capacity effective marine restorations achieve rapid recoveries.

Язык: Английский

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Global research priorities for historical ecology to inform conservation

Endangered Species Research, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 54, С. 285 - 310

Опубликована: Май 14, 2024

Historical ecology draws on a broad range of information sources and methods to provide insight into ecological social change, especially over the past ∼12000 yr. While its results are often relevant conservation restoration, insights from diverse disciplines, environments, geographies have frequently remained siloed or underrepresented, restricting their full potential. Here, scholars practitioners working in marine, freshwater, terrestrial environments 6 continents various archipelagoes synthesize knowledge fields history, anthropology, paleontology, with goal describing global research priorities for historical influence conservation. We used structured decision-making process identify address questions 4 key priority areas: (1) concepts, (2) co-production community engagement, (3) policy management, (4) climate change impacts. This work highlights ways that has developed matured use novel sources, efforts move beyond extractive practices toward co-production, application management challenges including change. demonstrate this field brought together researchers across connected academics practitioners, engaged communities create apply our shared future.

Язык: Английский

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Multi-habitat seascape restoration: optimising marine restoration for coastal repair and social benefit

Frontiers in Marine Science, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 9

Опубликована: Авг. 4, 2022

Marine ecosystem restoration is fast becoming the primary tool for repairing socio-ecological functions and economic benefits of coastal ecosystems. Healthy seascapes are characterized by many interacting species intermingled habitats (e.g., seagrass, kelp, shellfish, sedimentary) that co-create ecological substantial socio-economic value. These co-created not only build stability resilience at seascape scales, but synergistically combine to enhance productivity greater than sum individual habitats. Yet, practice dominated single-habitat approaches underpinned single-species monocultures, potentially limiting range can provide. We propose meet its full potential in delivering resilient environmental change, practices should plan beyond single-habitats a multi-habitat seascape. Where multiple co-restored, their positive interactions mutually benefit each other stabilize even accelerate recovery; such as co-restored shellfish kelp forests on constructed reefs, which sediment seagrass recovery. As fisheries scientists managers, food social scientists, ecologists oceanographers, we describe marine activities readily achievable provide vision diverse socio-ecological, economic, culture may emerge from future seascape-level repair.

Язык: Английский

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