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Paradigms in the recovery of estuarine and coastal ecosystems

Duarte, Carlos M.; Borja, Angel; Carstensen, Jacob; Elliott, Michael; Krause-Jensen, Dorte; Marbà, Núria

Authors

Carlos M. Duarte

Angel Borja

Jacob Carstensen

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Professor Mike Elliott Mike.Elliott@hull.ac.uk
Emeritus Professor of Estuarine and Coastal Sciences/ Research Professor, Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies

Dorte Krause-Jensen

Núria Marbà



Abstract

© 2013, Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation. Following widespread deterioration of coastal ecosystems since the 1960s, current environmental policies demand ecosystem recovery and restoration. However, vague definitions of recovery and untested recovery paradigms complicate efficient stewardship of coastal ecosystems. We critically examine definitions of recovery and identify and test the implicit paradigms against well-documented cases studies based on a literature review. The study highlights a need for more careful specification of recovery targets and metrics for assessing recovery in individual ecosystems. Six recovery paradigms were identified and examination of them established that partial (as opposed to full) recovery prevails, that degradation and recovery typically follow different pathways as buffers act to maintain the degraded state, and that recovery trajectories depend on the nature of the pressure as well as the connectivity of ecosystems and can differ between ecosystem components and among ecosystems. A conceptual model illustrates the findings and also indicates how restoration efforts may accelerate the recovery process.

Citation

Duarte, C. M., Borja, A., Carstensen, J., Elliott, M., Krause-Jensen, D., & Marbà, N. (2015). Paradigms in the recovery of estuarine and coastal ecosystems. Estuaries and coasts : journal of the Estuarine Research Federation, 38(4), 1202-1212. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-013-9750-9

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Dec 2, 2013
Online Publication Date Dec 24, 2013
Publication Date Jul 25, 2015
Deposit Date Aug 6, 2018
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Estuaries and Coasts
Print ISSN 1559-2723
Electronic ISSN 1559-2731
Publisher Springer Verlag
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 38
Issue 4
Pages 1202-1212
DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-013-9750-9
Keywords Estuarine; Recovery; Paradigms
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/532231
Publisher URL https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12237-013-9750-9