Scientists Call for Seascape‑Scale Restoration to Revive UK Marine Habitats

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Recent research led by the University of Portsmouth, alongside the Zoological Society of London and the University of Edinburgh, highlights the urgent need for seascape‑scale restoration of coastal habitats including oyster reefs, kelp forests, saltmarshes and seagrass meadows—to meet global climate and biodiversity targets. These ecosystems function not as isolated components, but as interconnected systems with water, life and energy flowing between them. The study, published in Ocean Sustainability and unveiled at the International Seascape Symposium II, underscores that treating these habitats in isolation risks undermining their collective ecological value. This integrated approach is vital to achieving both climate and biodiversity goals. The findings were presented approximately six months ago. What this means:

What this means:

Adopting a seascape‑scale approach to restoration could significantly bolster the UK’s ability to meet its climate and biodiversity targets by enhancing carbon sequestration, habitat resilience, and ecosystem services across connected coastal systems. This signals a shift towards more holistic conservation strategies, where restoration efforts are designed and implemented with ecological connectivity in mind. Policymakers and restoration practitioners should therefore prioritise projects that address multiple habitat types in conjunction, rather than focusing on single habitats in isolation. This could unlock synergies in carbon capture, coastal protection and biodiversity recovery, delivering more effective outcomes for nature and climate.

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