The conservation and restoration of the world’s coastal ecosystems with Tom Worthington

In this talk, Dr Thomas Worthington will explore why we should care about coastal ecosystems, how human activities have shaped and are shaped by our interactions with the coastal zone, and how through conservation and restoration we are trying to protect these ecosystems, their biodiversity and they coastal communities that rely on them.

Coastal ecosystems, such as mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows, are critically important to conserve due to their immense value to biodiversity and human populations. They act as natural buffers, significantly reducing the impact of storm surges, and coastal erosion, protecting both human communities and infrastructure.

These habitats also serve as essential nurseries and feeding grounds for a vast array of marine life, supporting both subsistence and commercial fisheries. Furthermore, coastal wetlands are highly efficient carbon sinks, playing a vital role in climate change mitigation by sequestering and storing significant amounts of blue carbon in their soils and biomass, often at rates exceeding those of many other ecosystems. Conserving and restoring these dynamic interfaces between land and sea is crucial for ecological resilience, economic stability, and ensuring the long-term health of the planet.
Until recently these coastal ecosystems were experiencing rapid global decline.

The alarming rate of loss, driven primarily by human activities like coastal development, pollution, and climate change, has stimulated widespread global action. =We are now seeing the rate of habitat losses start to slow, and in some areas, reverse through successful restoration. To achieve lasting success, conservation action must focus on supporting the livelihoods and well-being of the coastal communities that depend directly on these resources, ensuring that local stewardship is at the heart of every restoration and conservation strategy.

Dr Worthington is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge, and for the past eight years, he has headed the Global Coastal Wetlands Lab. His research aims to inform the conservation and restoration of vegetated coastal ecosystems, such as mangrove forests, seagrass meadows and saltmarshes. The group works closely with conservation organisations such as The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International and WWF to develop scientifically rigorous research that is applied to on-the-ground conservation action.