What is Ecological Restoration?

The impacts of global change over the last 50 years are unprecedented: ecosystems are increasingly affected by human activity (United Nations Environment Programme, 2021). Restoration is an integral part of conservation management, recognized as vital for reducing and reversing habitat and species decline, and mitigating climate change effects (Shaver et al., 2020).

Ecological restoration includes various activities to improve biodiversity, ecological health, and ecosystem services. These range from reducing local threats, like water quality management, to fully recovering native ecosystems and their functions, such as replanting mangrove forests. When integrated within broader management strategies, restoration supports ecosystem resilience (Mcleod et al., 2018).

The Need for Ecological Restoration in MPAs

Over the past 80 years, marine habitats like seagrasses, saltmarshes, mangroves, kelp forests, coral, and shellfish reefs have significantly declined in area and quality. Globally, we have lost roughly one-third of the world’s mangroves, half of the world’s coral reefs, and 85% of shellfish reefs (Díaz et al., 2019). Local impacts such as overfishing, pollution, and unsustainable development, combined with climate change, threaten these ecosystems. Restoration within MPAs is necessary when natural recovery is not possible. Restoration actions support the recovery of vulnerable species and habitats and enhance ecological connectivity within and across MPA networks (Shaver et al., 2020).

Benefits of Restoration within MPAs

• Recovery of degraded habitats, species, and ecosystem services

• Enhanced ecological integrity within and around MPAs

• Opportunities for new or expanded MPAs

• Improved ecological connectivity within MPAs

• Climate change mitigation and resilience

• Support for sustainable livelihoods and human health

• Increased public engagement and stewardship of natural resources

• Enhanced research, learning, and teaching opportunities