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

SUBMITTER: Preston J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12162346 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature