Our recent study brought together a diverse international group of scientists, policymakers, and practitioners to identify the top priorities for research on global saltmarsh conservation and restoration. The goal was clear: determine how we can best protect and restore these vital habitats in the face of growing threats.
Through a collaborative workshop and extensive surveys, our team identified ten critical research priorities grouped into four main themes: understanding changes in saltmarsh area, ecosystem service delivery, ecological functioning, and effective management practices.
One pressing question is how quickly saltmarshes are changing globally. Accurate monitoring of these habitats is essential for conservation planning, yet consistent data at a global scale remains limited. Our findings highlight the urgent need for coordinated, regular monitoring using advanced satellite and aerial technologies, along with traditional knowledge.
Restoration potential is another vital area. Not all saltmarshes can be effectively restored, so identifying the best sites and methods for successful restoration is crucial. This involves considering ecological, economic, and social factors, ensuring restored marshes can provide long-term benefits and resilience.
Ecosystem services—the benefits humans derive from nature—also vary greatly depending on local conditions. Our research underscores the importance of understanding how saltmarshes deliver services like flood protection and carbon storage, particularly as climate change alters their structure and function.
A particularly fascinating finding was the critical role of cultural values. Saltmarshes provide significant cultural ecosystem services, including recreation, education, and spiritual value. Recognising these cultural connections and ensuring they are included in conservation plans can greatly enhance community support for marsh protection and restoration.
research priorities
- How has the rate of change in areal extent varied globally over time?
- Where and how can saltmarshes be realistically restored?
- How does ecosystem service delivery vary with key marsh features and climate change?
- How are saltmarsh ecosystem services valued amongst different groups across the globe?
- What are the cultural ecosystem services of saltmarshes and what factors drive spatial-temporal variation in these services and benefits?
- What are the global drivers of saltmarsh ecosystem structure and function?
- How can integration of biological processes into physical models improve understanding of saltmarsh dynamics?
- Do invasive marsh species contribute to ecosystem services and how does this contribution vary globally?
- What are the challenges and opportunities to the effective management of saltmarsh ecosystem services?
- What management actions can be used to enhance the protective function of saltmarshes?
Managing saltmarshes effectively is challenging due to conflicting interests, such as development versus conservation. Our research stresses the need for innovative management strategies, including adaptive management, where practices evolve based on ongoing monitoring and feedback. Payment-for-ecosystem-services schemes are promising, offering incentives for sustainable management practices and restoration.
Lastly, saltmarshes’ protective functions against storms and erosion must be strengthened. Our research emphasises integrating biological understanding into physical models to predict how marshes will respond to climate change and human pressures.
By identifying these critical research areas, we aim to guide future efforts, ensuring saltmarshes continue to thrive and deliver essential services globally. Conserving and restoring these ecosystems is not just an environmental issue but a critical step towards a sustainable, resilient future.