Depletion, Degradation, and Recovery Potential of Estuaries and Coastal Seas
Australian National University · Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute · +5 more institutions
Abstract
Estuarine and coastal transformation is as old as civilization yet has dramatically accelerated over the past 150 to 300 years. Reconstructed time lines, causes, and consequences of change in 12 once diverse and productive estuaries and coastal seas worldwide show similar patterns: Human impacts have depleted >90% of formerly important species, destroyed >65% of seagrass and wetland habitat, degraded water quality, and accelerated species invasions. Twentieth-century conservation efforts achieved partial recovery of upper trophic levels but have so far failed to restore former ecosystem structure and function. Our results provide detailed historical baselines and quantitative targets for ecosystem-based…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 62.03
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 229
Authors
10- HKHeike K. LotzeCorresponding
Australian National University, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Dalhousie University, University of California, Santa Barbara, Bates College
- HSHunter S. Lenihan
Australian National University, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Dalhousie University, University of California, Santa Barbara, Bates College
- BJBruce J. Bourque
Australian National University, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Dalhousie University, University of California, Santa Barbara, Bates College
- RBRoger Bradbury
Australian National University, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Dalhousie University, University of California, Santa Barbara, Bates College
- RGRichard G. Cooke
Australian National University, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Dalhousie University, University of California, Santa Barbara, Bates College
Topics & keywords
- Seagrass
- Estuary
- Ecosystem
- Trophic level
- Wetland
- Habitat
- Ecology
- Environmental science
- Life below water