#2 Second in the series: Marine and coastal restoration
Marine and Coastal Ecosystem Restoration under the Nature Restoration Regulation
Restoring marine and coastal ecosystems can support biodiversity while strengthening resilience to a changing climate. However, marine restoration is costly, technically demanding and slow to show results, and remains significantly underfunded and under planned relative to terrestrial restoration. Climate change adds to existing pressures from diseases, invasive species and competing human activities, increasing the risk that restoration investments fail to deliver over the long term. Research on seagrass, macroalgal and coral ecosystems shows that some areas suitable for restoration today may become less suitable under future climate conditions, making long-term site selection particularly important.
With limited resources and rapidly changing oceans, the priority question for Member States is where to restore. Spatial risk mapping, climate resilience screening, and standardised monitoring should determine where marine restoration will have the greatest and most durable ecological impact.
Main solutions listed by the briefings:
Restore where nature is most likely to recover, using spatial risk mapping and scientific prioritisation to focus resources where ecological recovery is most achievable.
Plan by integrating climate resilience screening into restoration design from the outset, rather than planning for current conditions alone.
Monitor restoration over time through standardised frameworks that enable adaptive management and improve long-term success.
Coordinate restoration across sectors, authorities, and borders to maximise ecological benefits and avoid conflicting pressures.
Address biosecurity and disease risk as core components of restoration planning, alongside socio-ecological assessment
