Scientists emphasise that achieving ocean health and climate objectives requires reconnecting ecological links between coastal habitats, according to groundbreaking research highlighting the interconnected nature of marine ecosystems across Britain’s coastlines.
The comprehensive study, unveiled at the International Seascape Symposium II at ZSL (Zoological Society of London) and published alongside the UN Ocean Decade Conference, represents two years of international research spearheaded by the University of Portsmouth, alongside ZSL and the University of Edinburgh.
The research provides the most detailed analysis yet of how coastal environments in temperate areas operate as connected networks rather than isolated systems—a principle termed ecological connectivity.
“Marine environments such as oyster beds, salt marshes, kelp woodlands and seagrass fields are frequently addressed as individual units in policy and restoration efforts, yet they are intrinsically linked through water movement, wildlife, and energy transfer,” explained lead researcher Professor Joanne Preston from the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Marine Sciences. “Achieving our worldwide climate and biodiversity objectives requires restoring complete seascapes.”
Released in NPI Ocean Sustainability to mark World Ocean Day and the halfway point of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the study argues that reconnecting these environments is crucial for reversing centuries of environmental damage and meeting international commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, Paris Agreement, and Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr Philine zu Ermgassen from the University of Edinburgh’s Changing Oceans Group noted: “Ecological connectivity enables wildlife, nutrients, sediments, and energy to flow between various marine environments. These exchanges support vital ecosystem functions—from carbon capture to water purification, shoreline defence to fisheries productivity.”
The study compiles global evidence from temperate regions demonstrating that neighbouring habitats consistently enhance ecosystem service provision. In California, seagrasses flourish more effectively near oyster beds. Along America’s eastern seaboard in Chesapeake Bay, oyster colonies significantly improve water transparency and nutrient processing. In New Zealand waters, kelp-derived carbon enhances fish populations in coastal inlets.
“Linked habitats demonstrate greater productivity, resilience, and human benefits,” stated co-author Alison Debney, ZSL’s Estuaries and Wetlands Programme Leader. “Restoring separate areas is insufficient. We must adopt the sea’s perspective—fluid, connected, dynamic—and operate comprehensively.”
The researchers propose a formal framework for seascape restoration: the simultaneous or sequential rehabilitation of multiple habitats to reconstruct functional, resilient, and interconnected marine systems.
They advocate moving beyond “individual feature” conservation methods towards comprehensive, connectivity-focused planning. This involves updating marine protected area frameworks, development guidelines, and restoration funding standards to recognise the importance of ecological connections between habitats.
“We face a pivotal moment,” Professor Preston emphasised. “The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and Ocean Science Decade provide necessary tools and impetus. However, without restoring entire seascapes—the complete pattern of habitats and their connections—we risk failing policy targets.”
The research presents specific recommendations for policymakers:
- Incorporating seascape connectivity into climate and biodiversity strategies
- Coordinating restoration objectives across land-sea boundaries
- Acknowledging connectivity’s role in climate mitigation and adaptation
- Revising environmental assessments to evaluate ecosystem services at seascape level
“Coastal habitats must be viewed as integrated systems,” said co-author Rosalie Wright from Blue Marine Foundation. “Our divided policy and regulatory frameworks need transformation towards comprehensive, seascape-scale approaches. Overcoming these obstacles will facilitate urgent coastal recovery.”
This research directly advances Target 2 of the Global Biodiversity Framework, demanding at least 30% of degraded coastal and marine ecosystems undergo effective restoration by 2030, specifically improving connectivity and ecological performance.
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These findings emerge amid increasing alarm over temperate marine habitat collapse. During two centuries, Britain has lost up to 95% of oyster reefs, 90% of seagrasses, and extensive salt marsh areas. These losses threaten biodiversity, carbon storage, fish populations, and coastal defence.
Large-scale restoration reflecting coastal ecological realities provides a powerful nature-based response to the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity decline, and pollution.
As global momentum builds around ocean recovery, the scientific message remains clear: seascape-scale restoration is not merely advisable—it is imperative.
