Journal article 3 views
Connecting governance and practice views on the barriers and solutions to scaled seagrass restoration in the UK
Ally Evans,
Ellie Ford,
Leanne Cullen-Unsworth
Marine Policy, Volume: 180, Start page: 106781
Swansea University Authors: Ally Evans, Ellie Ford, Leanne Cullen-Unsworth
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DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.marpol.2025.106781
Abstract
Seagrass restoration is rapidly gaining popularity in the UK. Increased public and political awareness of historic and ongoing declines, along with its value to people and planet, have inspired several restoration projects. However, there remain key bottlenecks in the seagrass restoration process pr...
| Published in: | Marine Policy |
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| ISSN: | 0308-597X 1872-9460 |
| Published: |
Elsevier Ltd
2025
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69666 |
| Abstract: |
Seagrass restoration is rapidly gaining popularity in the UK. Increased public and political awareness of historic and ongoing declines, along with its value to people and planet, have inspired several restoration projects. However, there remain key bottlenecks in the seagrass restoration process preventing success at scales required to halt declines, let alone to increase habitat coverage. To improve restoration success collaboratively, it is important that those involved in the governance and practice of restoration have shared understanding of what those bottlenecks are and what can be done to overcome them. Here we present insight gathered through semi-structured interviews with individuals working in the governance of seagrass restoration and with practitioners involved in active restoration projects. We highlight the key perceived barriers and discuss potential solutions proposed by those who know the sector best. Some solutions are already happening or emerging in practice, while others remain ambitious ideas that will require strong political and social will, robust funding and time to realise. Now is the time to act to capitalise on the current momentum in the sector and put UK seagrass on a trajectory of net gain, rather than net loss. |
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| Keywords: |
Nature-based solutions; Blue carbon; Biodiversity net gain; Rewilding; Sustainability; Marine recovery; Legislative barriers; Habitat enhancement |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Funders: |
This work was funded by the UKRI, SMMR, Restoration of Seagrass for Ocean Wealth (ReSOW) project. |
| Start Page: |
106781 |