Co-occurrence of ecosystem services to inform global mangrove conservation planning

Posted by Alex White
On February 7, 2024

Written by Alex White and Jasmine Hall Mangrove forests provide important ecosystem services (ES) such as sequestering carbon, supporting invertebrate fish production, and protecting coastlines. These forests are also vital habitats for wildlife and support biodiversity in the land and sea. Despite their importance, mangroves are declining, with protection and restoration efforts ranging from modest […]

How can the Global Biodiversity Framework enhance coastal wetland conservation?

Posted by Alex White
On December 22, 2023

By Alex White Earlier this year, 196 countries pledged to uphold the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF), which was implemented to support equitable and sustainable long-term use of the Earth’s ecosystems. Now, these countries must coordinate actions to conserve and sustain Earth’s ecosystems. A major challenge to coordinating actions internationally are the diverse socioeconomic and […]

Greater Consideration of Animals Will Enhance Coastal Restoration Outcomes

Posted by Alex White
On August 15, 2023

The restoration of ecosystems that continue to be lost and degraded is a key challenge of the 21st century. Given the enormous effort and investment, it is critical that projects maximise benefits for biodiversity. Unfortunately, restoring coastal habitats is notoriously difficult. One likely, yet largely overlooked, impediment to effective restoration of coastal systems could be […]

Balancing conflicting human values for seagrass, saltmarsh and mangroves

Posted by Chris Brown
On July 25, 2020

The coast sits the intersection of many human activities. Management of coastal ecosystems is challenged by the conflicting values that humans hold for the coasts, including conservation, shipping, fishing, aquaculture, recreation and many others. One objective of the Global Wetlands Project is to help find ways that management can balance these different values for coasts […]

Long-distance sea turtle migration provides unique opportunity to combine and test exciting tracking techniques

Posted by Ryan Pearson
On July 17, 2020

By Dr Ryan Pearson In February 2016, a female loggerhead sea turtle dubbed ‘Marloo’ had a satellite transmitter attached to her shell on a beach south of Exmouth, Western Australia by the Gnaraloo wilderness foundation. Many months, and more than 4000 km’s, later she was recovered on an island near Darwin. Aub Strydom found a […]

There are cross-benefits to protecting coastal wetlands in the wake of COVID-19

Posted by Ellen Ditria
On May 22, 2020

Dr Ryan Pearson The effects of COVID-19 on the world has been profound. It’s had us re-evaluating intergovernmental, trade and personal relationships, and forced a rethink of consumer needs. Environmental groups have been encouraging people to eat more fish in response to this pandemic. Consumer surveys during the pandemic have also highlighted greater apprehension about […]

Marine conservation implications and opportunities for China’s Belt and Road Initiative – the world’s largest ever infrastructure project

Posted by Chris Brown
On January 9, 2020

China’s Belt and Road Initiative, or the ‘New Silk Road’, is the world’s largest infrastructure development project, aimed at linking Europe and East Africa with Asia. The initiative combines a large network of terrestrial and maritime routes with the intent of linking over 70 countries, at an estimated cost of US$8 trillion by 2049. The […]

Find your #scicomm sweet spot!

Posted by Tom Rayner
On October 16, 2019

Under pressure Researchers and natural resource managers are under pressure to communicate their work. That includes summarising key outcomes for policy and decision-making, relaying concerns and opportunities to community groups, campaigning for funding to address critical knowledge gaps and supporting their own careers.

Seagrass lacks protection at global scale

Posted by Laura Griffiths
On October 9, 2019

Seagrass ecosystems face multiple threats, from pollution to sea level rise. However, management is failing to adequately protect these ecosystems and prevent their decline. We reviewed global policy relevant to seagrass protection and identified some critical gaps. We need to rethink how we protect coastal ecosystems in general, and seagrasses in particular, from multiple cumulative […]

Wetlands: life support for the Great Barrier Reef

Posted by Tom Rayner
On July 26, 2019

The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is well recognised as the one of the most biodiverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth. However, few of us appreciate that one million hectares of wetlands are the life support system for this important ecosystem. In this post, Dr Fernanda Adame and Emeritus Professor Angela Arthington explore the critical relationship […]