30×30 – the goal to protect 30% of land and water by 2030 – is an important strategy to mitigate climate change and biodiversity loss. While conserving existing habitat in a connected network is essential to meet this goal, restoring habitat is also needed, especially for areas that are vulnerable to degradation.
Coastal ecosystems are major targets for 30×30 initiatives because they provide significant ecosystem services, such as bolstering climate resilience through reducing storm surges, preventing erosion, and acting as carbon sinks.
Gittman, R.K., Baillie, C.J., Cros, A., Grabowski, J.H., McKinney, M., Saccomanno, V.R., Smith, C.S., DeAngelis, B. 2024. Assessing how restoration can facilitate 30×30 goals for climate-resilient coastal ecosystems in the United States. Conservation Biology e14429.
However, coastal ecosystems face challenges because of their proximity to cities, meaning they are often degraded or fragmented from development. In the United States, restoration in coastal ecosystems has increased in recent years, but less is known about the effectiveness of these efforts and how they are contributing to 30×30 goals.
Recent research evaluated the state of coastal ecosystem restoration in the United States to provide recommendations for achieving 30×30 goals. The study focused on five major coastal ecosystems: estuarine marshes and mangroves, oyster reefs and beds, seagrass meadows, kelp forests, and shallow coral reefs. The authors conducted a literature review and consulted experts and long-term datasets to evaluate restoration status in these ecosystems and identify key gaps in knowledge.
This research highlights several guiding principles on restoration in the United States. First, achieving desired restoration outcomes in coastal ecosystems requires setting clear goals and using standardized metrics to measure success. A lack of consistent evaluation across restoration efforts limits the ability to assess progress and adapt strategies. Connecting knowledge between independently managed restoration projects will promote success at meaningful scales for coastal ecosystems.
Next, connectivity should be restored and sustained in coastal ecosystems. Coastal ecosystems are inherently interconnected, and restoration efforts should consider how different habitats interact. For example, restoring oyster reefs near estuarine marshes can increase estuarine marsh persistence, carbon sequestration, and coastal storm protection. Restoring and maintaining connectivity across coastal habitats is key for meeting 30×30 goals for climate resilience.
Finally, promoting social equity and participation is integral to restoration success. Engaging local communities, increasing access to natural areas, and creating conservation job opportunities should be priorities in restoration strategies. These actions both increase societal support for habitat restoration and ensure that local communities benefit from restoration.
Achieving 30×30 goals in the United States requires a comprehensive approach that integrates ecosystem restoration, habitat monitoring, and community engagement. The principles set up by this study can guide managers and policymakers in making decisions that will promote 30×30 goals in coastal ecosystems.
Related Posts
Accelerating wetland loss threatens coastal connectivity
Nearly four decades of satellite data reveal that accelerating tidal wetland loss is reshaping coastal connectivity, highlighting the need for adaptation strategies that consider both long-term climate change and acute extreme weather events.
Climate and connectivity drive mangrove range expansion
Predictions of mangrove expansion along the coast of Florida and the Southeastern U.S. highlight how connectivity alters ecosystem regimes under climate change.
Planning approaches for coastal connectivity under sea-level rise
A comparison of two complementary modeling approaches in Florida provides a universal pathway for resilient coastal planning and design.
