Ecosystem restoration and protection

Australia’s seagrass meadows, coral and shellfish reefs, coastal wetlands, and mangrove and kelp forests promote resilient, productive coastal and marine environments. They protect shorelines, improve water quality, nurture biodiversity and fisheries, and hold cultural and social values, supporting people and the economy. Many of these ecological systems have been lost or degraded, and face ongoing threats from human activities and climate extremes. Some are listed as locally or nationally endangered, and managers and practitioners need help to connect, refine and upscale conservation and restoration activities. Hub research is mapping focus areas, defining ecosystem services and threats, and identifying research needs and practical solutions. This ranges from accounting frameworks and local reparation techniques to strategies for coordinated and cost-effective regional and national-scale investment.