A novel resource on seascapes to aid in combating climate change

A new resource launched this week aims to build a complete picture of actions being taken along the southern coast to help combat the effects of climate change.

The Solent to Sussex Bay Seascape Restoration Inventory is a comprehensive range of seascape restorations in the Solent to Sussex Bay area. They include projects dedicated to addressing the loss of biodiversity in coastal areas and mitigating the effects of climate change.

For the first time, all of these projects will be brought together in a searchable map. Each entry is detailed with information including a description, location, and who is leading the project. These initiatives vary in size from small feasibility studies to large multi-million pound projects.

Seascape restoration, which is the process of halting and reversing the degradation of marine and coastal environments, can provide many benefits to people and the environment. It’s a nature-based solution, and the inventory authors believe this new resource will help experts work in partnership to address biodiversity loss, enhance carbon sequestration and enhance economic and community values ​​in habitats of seagrass, salt marshes, kelp and shellfish.

This resource is intended for anyone working with or interested in seascape restoration. It gives companies and individuals an understanding of how their work fits into the broader context and encourages collaboration, sharing of best practices and exchange of knowledge.

The south central coast of England (the coasts of Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Sussex) has more active and planned seascape restoration projects than anywhere else in the UK. However, to date, there has been no publicly available inventory of planned, active and completed projects and research covering the entire Solent to Sussex Bay area.

The Solent to Sussex Bay Seascape Restoration Inventory has been compiled in collaboration with the University of Portsmouth, the Solent Forum and the Sussex Marine and Coastal Forum. It is the first phase of a larger project – the Solent to Sussex Bay Seascape Restoration Project, which will bring together marine scientists and business leaders to help improve the health of the UK coast, and form the UK Seascape Restoration Research Network. To learn more about the network, attend this workshop in May.

The research is being led by Professor Steve Fletcher of the University of Portsmouth. He said: “This inventory is an invaluable tool for guiding and informing where the potential for collaboration is and also for identifying where the gaps are. There is huge investment potential in seascape restoration and this resource will enable us to examine practical opportunities for better integration of biodiversity and financing within seascape restoration activities in the region” .

Karen McHugh of the Solent Forum said: “This is an important database that helps identify marine restoration projects, programs and ambitions in the region, and will help responsible authorities integrate local nature restoration strategies with coastal and marine recovery, as well as marine net-earning opportunities. It will also help support Blue Marine’s Solent Seascapes project”.

Jackie Millan of the Sussex Marine and Coastal Forum said: “We need to raise our ambition to reverse centuries of degradation in estuarine and coastal habitats by restoring habitats such as salt marshes, seagrass meadows, oyster reefs and kelp forests. With the loss of these habitats comes the loss of the valuable benefits and services they provide.” They will provide it to our community.”

“By building a sound evidence base and having easily accessible tools like this project inventory, it will help partners identify opportunities for collaboration, share learning, and direct more funding and action for improvements in the marine environment – ​​this will help increase resilience and help nature recover.”