A global horizon scan of issues impacting marine and coastal biodiversity conservation

James E. Herbert-Read*, Ann Thornton*, Diva J. Amon, Silvana N.R. Birchenough, Isabelle M. Côté, Maria P. Dias, Brendan J. Godley, Sally A. Keith, Emma McKinley, Lloyd S. Peck, Ricardo Calado, Omar Defeo, Steven Degraer, Emma L. Johnston, Hermanni Kaartokallio, Peter I. Macreadie, Anna Metaxas, Agnes W.N. Muthumbi, David O. Obura, David M. PatersonAlberto R. Piola, Anthony J. Richardson, Irene R. Schloss, Paul V.R. Snelgrove, Bryce D. Stewart, Paul M. Thompson, Gordon J. Watson, Thomas A. Worthington, Moriaki Yasuhara, William J. Sutherland

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The biodiversity of marine and coastal habitats is experiencing unprecedented change. While there are well-known drivers of these changes, such as overexploitation, climate change and pollution, there are also relatively unknown emerging issues that are poorly understood or recognized that have potentially positive or negative impacts on marine and coastal ecosystems. In this inaugural Marine and Coastal Horizon Scan, we brought together 30 scientists, policymakers and practitioners with transdisciplinary expertise in marine and coastal systems to identify new issues that are likely to have a significant impact on the functioning and conservation of marine and coastal biodiversity over the next 5–10 years. Based on a modified Delphi voting process, the final 15 issues presented were distilled from a list of 75 submitted by participants at the start of the process. These issues are grouped into three categories: ecosystem impacts, for example the impact of wildfires and the effect of poleward migration on equatorial biodiversity; resource exploitation, including an increase in the trade of fish swim bladders and increased exploitation of marine collagens; and new technologies, such as soft robotics and new biodegradable products. Our early identification of these issues and their potential impacts on marine and coastal biodiversity will support scientists, conservationists, resource managers and policymakers to address the challenges facing marine ecosystems.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1262-1270
Number of pages9
JournalNature Ecology and Evolution
Volume6
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2022
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Ecology

Keywords

  • marine conservation
  • Marine biodiversity
  • Deep sea
  • Renewable energy
  • overfishing
  • Climate change

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