Symposium report: Inaugural Australian Coastal Restoration Symposium

Abstract

Summary Globally, coastal habitat restoration is growing in recognition as a viable management tool to repair and reinstate valuable coastal habitats and species, such as mangrove and macroalgae forests, salt marshes, seagrass meadows, shellfish and coral reefs (Aronson & Alexander (), Restoration Ecology, 293; Anthony et al. () Nature Ecology and Evolution, 1420; TNC () Caribbean: A revolution to save coral reefs in the Caribbean and beyond). In Australia, there is increasing interest and investment in coastal restoration and habitat conservation, particularly with respect to growing national concerns around habitat loss, coastal inundation and erosion, loss of fisheries and climate change (Maggini et al. () Protecting and restoring habitat to help Australia's threatened species adapt to climate change; GBRMPA () Reef summit sets new course of action for the Great Barrier Reef). This has led to new community of practices being formed for shellfish reef restoration (Shellfish Reef Restoration Network shellfishrestoration.org.au), seagrass restoration (Seagrass Restoration Network seagrassrestoration.net), and saltmarsh and mangrove (Saltmarsh and Mangrove Network, amsn.net.au) conservation. However, despite this interest, there has been no national coordination, network or society with coastal restoration as a primary focus. The inaugural Australian Coastal Restoration Symposium brought together 60 Australian restoration practitioners, researchers and managers at James Cook University, Townsville for three days from the 31st of August 2017. The symposium goals were to enhance collaboration and national coordination amongst coastal restoration projects and practitioners, as well as to connect researchers and practitioners working in the restoration space with one another. Three international keynote speakers shared their experiences and advice. Delegates were enthusiastic about continuing to meet at future symposiu, meetings and workshops, and noted the value of being able to connect, share project experiences and learnings, and collaborate. The Australian Coastal Restoration Network has been formed with the goal of meeting annually to continue to share knowledge and improve collaboration. View a video about the symposium by following this link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lukSpo3mM-4

Database for marine and coastal restoration projects in Australia and New Zealand

“…Under the EPBC Act, Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) identify ecological communities, species (flora and fauna), Ramsar-listed wetlands, World Heritage Sites, and other areas unique to Australia's environment and cultural heritage that are of national significance and potentially threatened. Marine ecosystems and the species of flora and fauna that they support are considered MNES (McLeod et al 2018). In New Zealand, the Environment Act 1986 sets out requirements for protecting and managing natural resources, including ecosystem values and sustainability.…”

“…However, restoration has been relatively small-scale (less than one hectare) and the findings and outcomes are generally restricted to peer-reviewed journal articles, research and consultancy reports, and practitioner-retained knowledge. In the last decade, the number of restoration projects across a range of marine and coastal ecosystems has increased (McLeod et al 2018). As part of the formation of the Australian Coastal Restoration Network (McLeod et al 2018), it was agreed that there was a need to develop a central repository for project information.…”

“…In the last decade, the number of restoration projects across a range of marine and coastal ecosystems has increased (McLeod et al 2018). As part of the formation of the Australian Coastal Restoration Network (McLeod et al 2018), it was agreed that there was a need to develop a central repository for project information. The central repository was to take the form of a database with an associated visualisation tool that would house information about coastal and marine restoration projects conducted in Australia and New Zealand.…”

“…Marine ecosystems and the species of flora and fauna that they support are considered MNES (McLeod et al . 2018). In New Zealand, the Environment Act 1986 sets out requirements for protecting and managing natural resources, including ecosystem values and sustainability.…”

“…Restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems has been occurring in Australia and New Zealand since the mid‐1970s (McLeod et al . 2018). This relatively long history of restoration, coupled with some of the largest and most diverse marine ecosystems globally (such as the Great Barrier Reef), has placed the region at the forefront of restoration research.…”