Restore Ecosystems - Ocean Central
Restoring marine ecosystems enhances biodiversity, supports coastal protection, and boosts carbon storage for a healthier ocean. From mangroves and seagrasses to coral reefs and salt marshes, active restoration accelerates regeneration where natural recovery is too slow or no longer possible.
Why Active Restoration Matters
Human activities and climate change have pushed many marine ecosystems beyond the point where they can recover on their own. Active restoration of marine ecosystems is essential to accelerating ocean regeneration, as natural recovery alone is often too slow to counteract the damage caused by pollution, overfishing, and climate change. Efforts such as coral reef transplantation, seagrass and mangrove replanting, and artificial reef construction help restore critical habitats that support marine biodiversity and protect coastlines.
These interventions not only revive degraded ecosystems but also enhance their resilience to future stressors, such as rising ocean temperatures and extreme weather events. By combining restoration with conservation and sustainable management, we can create thriving marine environments that support abundant marine life, improve carbon sequestration, and sustain coastal communities for generations to come.
Duarte, C. M., Agusti, S., Barbier, E., et al. (2020). Rebuilding marine life. Nature, 580, 39–51. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2146-7
Protecting Coastal Ecosystems
UN SDG 14.2 calls for the sustainable management and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems, including mangroves, to prevent significant adverse impacts and ensure long-term ocean health.
Restoring Degraded Habitats
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework target 2 sets the goal of restoring at least 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030, explicitly recognizing mangroves as a critical coastal ecosystem for recovery efforts.
Expanding Ocean Ecosystem Coverage
By 2050, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework aims to increase the size of all ocean ecosystems, reinforcing the importance of mangrove restoration as a key strategy for resilience and biodiversity.