Priority research questions to generate decision-grade data to enable coastal ecosystems to mitigate the climate and nutrient crises

Authors

• Gordon J. Watson, University of Portsmouth
• John Aldridge, Centre for the Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
• Louise Anderson, Joint Nature Conservation Committee
• Martin J. Attrill, School of Biological and Marine Sciences
• William E.N. Austin, University of St Andrews
• Keisha D. Bahr, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
• Nicola Beaumont, Plymouth Marine Laboratory
• Stefanie Broszeit, Plymouth Marine Laboratory
• Annette Burden, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
• Estela Delgado-Gargiulo, Universidad de la República
• Evangelia G. Drakou, Harokopio University
• Mike Elliott, International Estuarine & Coastal Specialists (IECS) Ltd
• Karen Filbee-Dexter, University of Western Australia
• Robinson W. Fulweiler, Boston University
• Angus Garbutt, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
• Boze Hancock, The Nature Conservancy
• Joerg D. Hardege, University of Hull
• Joanna Harley, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
• Ian W. Hendy, University of Portsmouth
• Jenny R. Hillman, The University of Auckland
• Tim D. Jickells, University of East Anglia
• Ana I. Lillebø, University of Aveiro
• Mariana D.A.C. Lima, University of Salford
• Peter I. Macreadie, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University
• Paulina Martinetto, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras
• Jackie Mellan, Environment Agency
• Alf Norkko, University of Helsinki
• Ruth Parker, Centre for the Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
• Michael P. Perring, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
• Bernadette Pogoda, Alfred Wegener Institute - Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research

ORCID

• Martin J. Attrill: 0000-0002-4039-031X

Abstract

Nature-Based Solutions, green-finance instruments and policies are now routinely constructed around carbon sequestration/storage (CSS) and nutrient bioremediation (NB). This integration builds on how Market-Based Instruments (e.g. payments-for-ecosystem-services) are regularly used in policies focused on terrestrial ecosystems. In marine and coastal systems poor understanding of CSS/NB biophysical processes and impacts of ecosystem quality/stressors, combined with methods and governance framework knowledge gaps, generate substantial uncertainty in outcomes. Reductions in output confidence preclude integration into Nature-Based Solutions, stifling market-based investment centred on conserving and restoring temperate coastal ecosystems. To navigate this complex, rapidly evolving area, researchers from six continents engaged in a Priority Setting Exercise to generate 25 questions that, if answered within 10 years, will increase robustness, scalability and applicability of CSS/NB data across regions and ecosystems. We then used a modal analysis across five categories (time, geographic scale, technology complexity, cost and policy relevance) to expedite research-investment decisions. Questions (numbers in brackets) were organised across six themes as follows: maps/quantitative evidence/long-term data (3), Processes/variability (6), Connectivity (2), Anthropogenic impacts (4), Methods/standards (6), Governance/conservation (4). Questions under methods/standards and governance/trading schemes themes were generally identified to be the cheapest to answer and quickest to complete, whilst still having considerable geographic and policy relevance. Policy implications: Identifying the enabling conditions for more efficient and successful approaches will greatly improve our understanding of ecosystem services. Together, these answers will then deliver the decision-grade data necessary to strengthen green-finance opportunities and address urgent climate and pollution (nutrient) crises.

DOI Link

10.1111/1365-2664.70373

Publication Date

2026-04-28

Publication Title

Journal of Applied Ecology

Volume

63

Issue

4

ISSN

0021-8901

Acceptance Date

2026-02-02

Deposit Date

2026-08-28

Funding

UK Research Councils under NaturalEnvironment Research Council, Grant/Award Number: NE/X002357/1; CESAM,Grant/Award Number: FCT/MCTES(UIDP/50017/2020 + UIDB/50017/2020+ LA/P/0094/2020)

Additional Links

https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105037907574

Keywords

blue carbon, kelp, mudflat, oyster, restoration, saltmarsh, seagrass

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Watson, G., Aldridge, J., Anderson, L., Attrill, M., Austin, W., Bahr, K., Beaumont, N., Broszeit, S., Burden, A., Delgado-Gargiulo, E., Drakou, E., Elliott, M., Filbee-Dexter, K., Fulweiler, R., Garbutt, A., Hancock, B., Hardege, J., Harley, J., Hendy, I., Hillman, J., Jickells, T., Lillebø, A., Lima, M., Macreadie, P., Martinetto, P., Mellan, J., Norkko, A., Parker, R., Perring, M., & Pogoda, B. (2026) 'Priority research questions to generate decision-grade data to enable coastal ecosystems to mitigate the climate and nutrient crises', Journal of Applied Ecology, 63(4). Available at: 10.1111/1365-2664.70373