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

Gordon J. Watson; John Aldridge; Louise Anderson; Martin J. Attrill; William E. N. Austin; Keisha D. Bahr; Nicola Beaumont; Stefanie Broszeit; Annette Burden; Estela Delgado‐Gargiulo; Evangelia G. Drakou; Mike Elliott; Karen Filbee‐Dexter; Robinson W. Fulweiler; Angus Garbutt; Boze Hancock; Joerg D. Hardege; Joanna Harley; Ian W. Hendy; Jenny R. Hillman; Tim D. Jickells; Ana I. Lillebø; Mariana D. A. C. Lima; Peter I. Macreadie; Paulina Martinetto; Jackie Mellan; Alf Norkko; Ruth Parker; Michael P. Perring; Bernadette Pogoda; Jennifer B. Pollack; Joanne Preston; Federica Ragazzola; Justine Saunders; Oscar Serrano; Dan A. Smale; Gemma Smith; Ann Thornton; Simon Thrush; Heidi Tillin; Richard K. F. Unsworth; Andrew van der Schatte Olivier; Sophie von der Heyden; Stephen C. L. Watson; Phil Williamson; Claire Woulds; Philline S. E. Zu Ermgassen

doi:10.1111/1365-2664.70373

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

Gordon J. Watson^*, John Aldridge, Louise Anderson, Martin J. Attrill, William E. N. Austin, Keisha D. Bahr, Nicola Beaumont, Stefanie Broszeit, Annette Burden, Estela Delgado‐Gargiulo, Evangelia G. Drakou, Mike Elliott, Karen Filbee‐Dexter, Robinson W. Fulweiler, Angus Garbutt, Boze Hancock, Joerg D. Hardege, Joanna Harley, Ian W. Hendy, Jenny R. HillmanTim D. Jickells, Ana I. Lillebø, Mariana D. A. C. Lima, Peter I. Macreadie, Paulina Martinetto, Jackie Mellan, Alf Norkko, Ruth Parker, Michael P. Perring, Bernadette Pogoda, Jennifer B. Pollack, Joanne Preston, Federica Ragazzola, Justine Saunders, Oscar Serrano, Dan A. Smale, Gemma Smith, Ann Thornton, Simon Thrush, Heidi Tillin, Richard K. F. Unsworth, Andrew van der Schatte Olivier, Sophie von der Heyden, Stephen C. L. Watson, Phil Williamson, Claire Woulds, Philline S. E. Zu Ermgassen

^*Corresponding author for this work

School of Geography & Sustainable Development

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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).

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.

5. 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.

Original language	English
Article number	e70373
Journal	Journal of Applied Ecology
Volume	63
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.70373
Publication status	Published - 1 Apr 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 13 Climate Action
SDG 14 Life Below Water
SDG 15 Life on Land

Keywords

Saltmarsh
Kelp
Blue carbon
Mudflat
Oyster
Restoration
Seagrass

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Copyright © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of Applied Ecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Ecological Society. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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Watson, G. J., Aldridge, J., Anderson, L., Attrill, M. J., Austin, W. E. N., Bahr, K. D., Beaumont, N., Broszeit, S., Burden, A., Delgado‐Gargiulo, E., Drakou, E. G., Elliott, M., Filbee‐Dexter, K., Fulweiler, R. W., Garbutt, A., Hancock, B., Hardege, J. D., Harley, J., Hendy, I. W., ... Zu Ermgassen, P. S. E. (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), Article e70373. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.70373

@article{16348ad0b8da4d208ae868914e808aee,

title = "Priority research questions to generate decision‐grade data to enable coastal ecosystems to mitigate the climate and nutrient crises",

abstract = "1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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). 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. 5. 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.",

keywords = "Saltmarsh, Kelp, Blue carbon, Mudflat, Oyster, Restoration, Seagrass",

author = "Watson, \{Gordon J.\} and John Aldridge and Louise Anderson and Attrill, \{Martin J.\} and Austin, \{William E. N.\} and Bahr, \{Keisha D.\} and Nicola Beaumont and Stefanie Broszeit and Annette Burden and Estela Delgado‐Gargiulo and Drakou, \{Evangelia G.\} and Mike Elliott and Karen Filbee‐Dexter and Fulweiler, \{Robinson W.\} and Angus Garbutt and Boze Hancock and Hardege, \{Joerg D.\} and Joanna Harley and Hendy, \{Ian W.\} and Hillman, \{Jenny R.\} and Jickells, \{Tim D.\} and Lilleb{\o}, \{Ana I.\} and Lima, \{Mariana D. A. C.\} and Macreadie, \{Peter I.\} and Paulina Martinetto and Jackie Mellan and Alf Norkko and Ruth Parker and Perring, \{Michael P.\} and Bernadette Pogoda and Pollack, \{Jennifer B.\} and Joanne Preston and Federica Ragazzola and Justine Saunders and Oscar Serrano and Smale, \{Dan A.\} and Gemma Smith and Ann Thornton and Simon Thrush and Heidi Tillin and Unsworth, \{Richard K. F.\} and \{van der Schatte Olivier\}, Andrew and \{von der Heyden\}, Sophie and Watson, \{Stephen C. L.\} and Phil Williamson and Claire Woulds and \{Zu Ermgassen\}, \{Philline S. E.\}",

note = "Funding: This research was supported by the UK Research Councils under Natural Environment Research Council award NE/X002357/1 {\textquoteleft}Sea the Value{\textquoteright}. AIL acknowledges financial support to CESAM by FCT/MCTES (UIDP/50017/2020 + UIDB/50017/2020 + LA/P/0094/2020).",

year = "2026",

month = apr,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1111/1365-2664.70373",

language = "English",

volume = "63",

journal = "Journal of Applied Ecology",

issn = "0021-8901",

publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd",

number = "4",

}

Watson, GJ, Aldridge, J, Anderson, L, Attrill, MJ, Austin, WEN, Bahr, KD, Beaumont, N, Broszeit, S, Burden, A, Delgado‐Gargiulo, E, Drakou, EG, Elliott, M, Filbee‐Dexter, K, Fulweiler, RW, Garbutt, A, Hancock, B, Hardege, JD, Harley, J, Hendy, IW, Hillman, JR, Jickells, TD, Lillebø, AI, Lima, MDAC, Macreadie, PI, Martinetto, P, Mellan, J, Norkko, A, Parker, R, Perring, MP, Pogoda, B, Pollack, JB, Preston, J, Ragazzola, F, Saunders, J, Serrano, O, Smale, DA, Smith, G, Thornton, A, Thrush, S, Tillin, H, Unsworth, RKF, van der Schatte Olivier, A, von der Heyden, S, Watson, SCL, Williamson, P, Woulds, C & Zu Ermgassen, PSE 2026, 'Priority research questions to generate decision‐grade data to enable coastal ecosystems to mitigate the climate and nutrient crises', Journal of Applied Ecology, vol. 63, no. 4, e70373. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.70373

TY - JOUR

T1 - Priority research questions to generate decision‐grade data to enable coastal ecosystems to mitigate the climate and nutrient crises

AU - Watson, Gordon J.

AU - Aldridge, John

AU - Anderson, Louise

AU - Attrill, Martin J.

AU - Austin, William E. N.

AU - Bahr, Keisha D.

AU - Beaumont, Nicola

AU - Broszeit, Stefanie

AU - Burden, Annette

AU - Delgado‐Gargiulo, Estela

AU - Drakou, Evangelia G.

AU - Elliott, Mike

AU - Filbee‐Dexter, Karen

AU - Fulweiler, Robinson W.

AU - Garbutt, Angus

AU - Hancock, Boze

AU - Hardege, Joerg D.

AU - Harley, Joanna

AU - Hendy, Ian W.

AU - Hillman, Jenny R.

AU - Jickells, Tim D.

AU - Lillebø, Ana I.

AU - Lima, Mariana D. A. C.

AU - Macreadie, Peter I.

AU - Martinetto, Paulina

AU - Mellan, Jackie

AU - Norkko, Alf

AU - Parker, Ruth

AU - Perring, Michael P.

AU - Pogoda, Bernadette

AU - Pollack, Jennifer B.

AU - Preston, Joanne

AU - Ragazzola, Federica

AU - Saunders, Justine

AU - Serrano, Oscar

AU - Smale, Dan A.

AU - Smith, Gemma

AU - Thornton, Ann

AU - Thrush, Simon

AU - Tillin, Heidi

AU - Unsworth, Richard K. F.

AU - van der Schatte Olivier, Andrew

AU - von der Heyden, Sophie

AU - Watson, Stephen C. L.

AU - Williamson, Phil

AU - Woulds, Claire

AU - Zu Ermgassen, Philline S. E.

N1 - Funding: This research was supported by the UK Research Councils under Natural Environment Research Council award NE/X002357/1 ‘Sea the Value’. AIL acknowledges financial support to CESAM by FCT/MCTES (UIDP/50017/2020 + UIDB/50017/2020 + LA/P/0094/2020).

PY - 2026/4/1

Y1 - 2026/4/1

N2 - 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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). 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. 5. 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.

AB - 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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). 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. 5. 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.

KW - Saltmarsh

KW - Kelp

KW - Blue carbon

KW - Mudflat

KW - Oyster

KW - Restoration

KW - Seagrass

U2 - 10.1111/1365-2664.70373

DO - 10.1111/1365-2664.70373

M3 - Article

SN - 0021-8901

VL - 63

JO - Journal of Applied Ecology

JF - Journal of Applied Ecology

IS - 4

M1 - e70373

ER -

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

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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