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; R. K. F. Unsworth; 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

doi:10.1038/s44183-025-00128-3

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. ThurstanR. K. F. Unsworth, 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

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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.

Original language	English
Article number	33
Pages (from-to)	1-29
Number of pages	29
Journal	npj Ocean Sustainability
Volume	4
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s44183-025-00128-3
Publication status	Published - 12 Jun 2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 14 Life Below Water

Keywords

UKRI
NERC
NE/01868X/1
NE/Z503368/1

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10.1038/s44183-025-00128-3

Seascape connectivityFinal published version, 6.93 MBLicence: CC BY

Solent Seascape Project
Preston, J. (PI), Hendy, I. (CoI) & Watson, G. (CoI)
Zoological Society of London Institute of Zoology, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, East Head Impact
1/11/22 → 31/10/27
Project: Research

Cite this

Preston, J., Debney, A., Gamble, C., Hardy, M. J., Underwood, G. J. C., Garbutt, A., Harley, J., Baker, R., Dunk, R. M., Grigg, M., Hancock, B. T., Hendy, I. W., La Marca, E. C., Murray, J., Pettorelli, N., Pittman, S. J., Reeves, S. E., Robertson, M., Sturrock, A. M., ... Zu Ermgassen, P. S. E. (2025). Seascape connectivity: evidence, knowledge gaps and implications for temperate coastal ecosystem restoration practice and policy. npj Ocean Sustainability, 4(1), 1-29. Article 33. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44183-025-00128-3

@article{4647007953c44858b5bf6a83c6d4756a,

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

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.",

keywords = "UKRI, NERC, NE/01868X/1, NE/Z503368/1",

author = "J. Preston and A. Debney and C. Gamble and Hardy, \{M. J.\} and Underwood, \{G. J. C.\} and A. Garbutt and J. Harley and R. Baker and Dunk, \{R. M.\} and M. Grigg and Hancock, \{B. T.\} and Hendy, \{I. W.\} and \{La Marca\}, \{E. C.\} and J. Murray and N. Pettorelli and Pittman, \{S. J.\} and Reeves, \{S. E.\} and M. Robertson and Sturrock, \{A. M.\} and Thurstan, \{R. H.\} and Unsworth, \{R. K. F.\} and Ward, \{E. A.\} and Ward, \{S. L.\} and Watson, \{G. J.\} and Watson, \{S. C. L.\} and Wedding, \{L. M.\} and Worthington, \{T. A.\} and Wright, \{R. A.\} and C. Yesson and \{Zu Ermgassen\}, \{P. S. E.\}",

year = "2025",

month = jun,

day = "12",

doi = "10.1038/s44183-025-00128-3",

language = "English",

volume = "4",

pages = "1--29",

journal = "npj Ocean Sustainability",

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Preston, J, Debney, A, Gamble, C, Hardy, MJ, Underwood, GJC, Garbutt, A, Harley, J, Baker, R, Dunk, RM, Grigg, M, Hancock, BT, Hendy, IW, La Marca, EC, Murray, J, Pettorelli, N, Pittman, SJ, Reeves, SE, Robertson, M, Sturrock, AM, Thurstan, RH, Unsworth, RKF, Ward, EA, Ward, SL, Watson, GJ, Watson, SCL, Wedding, LM, Worthington, TA, Wright, RA, Yesson, C & Zu Ermgassen, PSE 2025, 'Seascape connectivity: evidence, knowledge gaps and implications for temperate coastal ecosystem restoration practice and policy', npj Ocean Sustainability, vol. 4, no. 1, 33, pp. 1-29. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44183-025-00128-3

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T1 - Seascape connectivity: evidence, knowledge gaps and implications for temperate coastal ecosystem restoration practice and policy

AU - Preston, J.

AU - Debney, A.

AU - Gamble, C.

AU - Hardy, M. J.

AU - Underwood, G. J. C.

AU - Garbutt, A.

AU - Harley, J.

AU - Baker, R.

AU - Dunk, R. M.

AU - Grigg, M.

AU - Hancock, B. T.

AU - Hendy, I. W.

AU - La Marca, E. C.

AU - Murray, J.

AU - Pettorelli, N.

AU - Pittman, S. J.

AU - Reeves, S. E.

AU - Robertson, M.

AU - Sturrock, A. M.

AU - Thurstan, R. H.

AU - Unsworth, R. K. F.

AU - Ward, E. A.

AU - Ward, S. L.

AU - Watson, G. J.

AU - Watson, S. C. L.

AU - Wedding, L. M.

AU - Worthington, T. A.

AU - Wright, R. A.

AU - Yesson, C.

AU - Zu Ermgassen, P. S. E.

PY - 2025/6/12

Y1 - 2025/6/12

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - UKRI

KW - NERC

KW - NE/01868X/1

KW - NE/Z503368/1

UR - https://www.nature.com/articles/s44183-025-00128-3

U2 - 10.1038/s44183-025-00128-3

DO - 10.1038/s44183-025-00128-3

M3 - Article

SN - 2731-426X

VL - 4

SP - 1

EP - 29

JO - npj Ocean Sustainability

JF - npj Ocean Sustainability

IS - 1

M1 - 33

ER -

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

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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Projects

Solent Seascape Project

Cite this