Endangered Seascapes: Progress, needs and opportunities for seascape restoration

Author:

UNEP-WCMC

Publication Year:

2022

Citation:

UNEP-WCMC (2022). "Endangered Seascapes: Progress, needs and opportunities for seascape restoration." Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Description:

Within marine and coastal areas, where ecosystems are highly interconnected and the pressures they face often originate kilometres away, an integrated approach to restoration is required. “Seascape” restoration, which seeks to address the pressures driving degradation has been proposed as one such approach. In order to support the targeting of funds for seascape restoration, this report identified and synthesized information on restoration projects active between 2015 and 2022. In total, the data sets of 237 projects were analyzed, representing an investment of €3.35 billion from 161 different funders. Donor governments and international bodies were the most frequent source of funds and contributed the most financially. Non-governmental organizations had the greatest number of restoration projects, while governments received the greatest amount of money. There is a commitment and determination to restore coastal and marine ecosystems, however, the relative infancy of coastal and marine restoration can be barrier in translating aspiration into action. In order to overcome this barrier, there needs to be complete transparency in what actions are being undertaken, how, by who and what is working well and what less so. The authors hope the information collected in this study (available at www.restorationfunders.com) supports the development of evidence-based restoration planning and action which delivers impactful and equitable outcomes for people and nature.

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