Today, marine habitats are under threat from human-anthropogenic activities at an unprecedented rate, with 66% of coastal areas already transformed and degraded. Prioritizing immediate action is key to achieving meaningful marine restoration. This observation resulted from the efforts of a group of scientists led by Roberto Danovaro, professor at the Polytechnic University of Marche and project coordinator of the REDRESS project. Their results, published just a few weeks ago, highlight the need for rapid and substantial action in order to succeed in rehabilitating our marine environments.
Cristina Gambi, a scientist at the Polytechnic University of Marche, Italy, calls for adhering to established protocols. These hard-earned protocols are now being utilized to restore both soft and hard-bottom shallow-water habitats. The study indicates that successful restoration depends on three critical support types: policy and regulatory measures, economic backing, and technological solutions. From policing to housing, this research is hugely consequential. It lays the groundwork for a more ambitious and significant approach to marine conservation overall.
The Current State of Marine Ecosystems
Our analysis shows that marine restoration projects succeed at an impressive average success rate of 64%. Behind this attractive statistic lie the struggles these initiatives face. Bottom-contact fisheries destroy an area of seafloor equal to the combined areas of the US and India annually. Yet with seabed mining set to expand, we need strong restoration strategies if there are any more than ever.
Danovaro emphasizes that ecological restoration is essential, stating, “Success stories from marine ecosystem restoration are crucial to motivate society and private enterprises to invest. We need to show that these efforts can meet the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration targets.” Our UN Agenda 2030 includes commitments to protect at least 30% of the marine environment by 2030. Projects such as CLIMAREST and REDRESS are essential to informing and prototyping solutions for coastal and deep-sea habitats alike.
Additionally, site selection is crucial to ensuring restoration initiatives succeed over the long-term. As the researchers emphasize, selecting the best sites for a restoration project can significantly improve an effort’s chances of success. Gambi notes that “active restoration measures, such as stabilizing the seafloor and planting organisms, can significantly accelerate recovery.”
The Importance of Ongoing Maintenance
Continued management of the restored habitats comes in as the second most important contributor to success in marine restorations. Yet, the research team emphasizes that even the best restorations can fail without proper maintenance. As climate change exacerbates health inequities, we need to do a better job of monitoring environmental effects. Inappropriate conditions or acute events can lead to large-scale mortality of aquatic organisms.
Developing buffer zones around restored locations is very key. As a result, marine protected areas and fishery-restricted zones play an essential role in mitigating the harmful effects of human activity. Beyond increasing the likelihood of restoration success, these strategies can help build greater resilience across our marine ecosystems.
Professor Simonetta Fraschetti adds, “Several coastal habitats need to be restored for their crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and sustaining ecosystem processes in the ocean.” This proclamation highlights the critical relationship between healthy marine ecosystems and the health of the world’s ecosystems.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the promising success rates, challenges remain. This analysis is remarkable because it clearly demonstrates that restoration has completely failed in some cases. This occurs when environmental conditions are not ideal or when the wrong techniques or species are selected. Danovaro warns that “this target may be insufficient to reverse current declines in specific habitats and overall ecosystem functionality,” highlighting the need for more robust strategies.
In tackling these challenges, the researchers encourage a broad, multifaceted approach. “All these types of support are crucial for successful marine ecosystem restoration and really needed considering the present degradation state of our marine ecosystems,” says Fraschetti. By integrating policy changes with economic incentives and technological advancements, stakeholders can create a more favorable environment for marine restoration initiatives.