Marine forest coastal restoration: an underwater gardening socio-ecological plan (Ocean Citizen)

Ocean Citizen

The Ocean Citizen project represents a new approach to restoration in which restoration is presented as a toolbox with ubiquitous properties and, as such, is experienced in three locations, representing different marine ecosystems and different environments.

Project collaboration

Following the non-achievement of the AICHI targets and most of the Good Environmental Status objectives for 2020, active restoration has been emerged (also envisaged by the EU) as one of the preferred tools that may boost sequels of marine protected areas and other conservation measures. Restoration acts promote biodiversity, enhance carbon sequestration and accelerate coastal and offshore resilience. Yet, we still lack a program that combines conservation and restoration under a unified setting, as the involvement of local citizen, embracing socio-economic parameters into opportunities. Thus, an advanced restoration program must conjoin ecological perspectives together with societal commitment and clear economic benefits for local communities. Above all, it must be designed with continuity beyond the lifespan of a project.

Responding to the above, OCEAN CITIZEN proposal represent a novel restoration approach in which (1) restoration is depicted as a toolbox holding ubiquitous properties and as such it is experienced in 3 sites, representing different marine ecosystems (in one of the sites all tools are used in concert) and different environments: subtropical, tropical and cold temperate; (2) a profession of “gardeners of the sea” is created and endorsed, including detailed curriculum; (3) the project targets the restoration of the most neglected marine biome, encompassing the various types of Marine Forest (MF) organisms (seagrasses, seaweeds, sponges, corals, gorgonians, etc.);(4) new ecoengineering aspects are applied, including Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture and Smart Enhanced Reefs (SER); the SERs act as substrates for massive recruitment and transplantation of MF organisms (5) the is performed on land, and in situ, from shallow, mesophotic to continental shelf areas (to 90-100 meters depth); (6) a novel approach for C sequestering and sink (7) the full involvement of citizens and local stakeholders with a complete business plan.

General project information

Development period

Start

01/01/2023

End

31/12/2026

Department

Marine ecology

Research group

Functioning of Benthic Ecosystems
Social-ecological systems in coastal and marine environments

Research areas and themes

Conservation and restoration
Effects of global change

Responsible researcher

CEAB Night 2025 focuses on ecology and complex systems

Other researchers and involved staff

Rafel Coma Bau

Maria Garcia Gonzalez

Simone Mariani

Manel Bolivar Basart

Funding entities

Institutions/collaborators

Social networks of the project

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