The ocean faces significant challenges, with two-thirds of coastal regions altered or damaged. Bottom-contact fisheries disturb nearly 5 million square kilometers of marine habitat annually. Marine litter and chemical pollutants add further pressure, interfering with natural processes and impacting biodiversity.
The UN Agenda 2030 aims to protect 30% of the ocean by the end of the decade. Scientists are developing strategies to support this goal through EU-funded projects. However, protection alone is insufficient to reverse declines in specific habitats and overall ecosystem functionality.
Restoration must actively reintroduce organisms that build marine habitats. This includes seagrasses, mangroves, kelp, corals, and cold-water animal forests. While passive restoration can work, it's a slow process, potentially taking up to 200 years for full recovery.
A study reviewing 764 marine restoration projects worldwide showed a 64% average success rate. Restoration efforts have succeeded across various environments, with strong results for coral reefs and habitats built by foundation species. These success stories prove that ocean floor restoration is possible.
Key factors driving restoration success include the specific methods used and ongoing maintenance. Careful site selection with strong ecological connectivity is also essential. Buffer zones around restored areas help reduce human pressure.
Restoration projects rely on policy, economic, and technology support. Policy support includes laws prioritizing habitat restoration. Economic support funds restoration efforts, and technology support advances restoration methods.
All these types of support are crucial for successful marine ecosystem restoration. This is especially needed considering the present degradation state of our marine ecosystems.