Coasts are among the most connected ecosystems in the world, bringing together terrestrial, aquatic and marine realms and ecological processes linking them, as well as providing unique migration routes for migratory species during their annual cycles and refuges for marine and coastal species during critical parts of their life cycles. Coastal ecosystems figure large in CMS priorities and programs, from seagrass meadows supporting dugongs, mangroves providing nurseries for sharks, rays and other threatened fish species and sanctuaries for migratory birds and sandy beaches as nesting sites for turtles and birds.

 

Yet, coastal ecosystems are among the most threatened of all ecosystems, posing huge risks of disrupting those vital ecological processes and reducing connectivity both along coasts but also with terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The World Coastal Forum (WCF), a growing partnership of 24 organizations, was created to address these challenges. This side-event will highlight the work of WCF in bringing together diverse partners and developing knowledge products, such as the State of the World’s Coastal Ecosystems and Toolkit that develop guidelines for coastal ecosystem management and restoration built on evidence-based best practice.

 

This side event provides an opportunity for CMS to highlight the importance and role of coastal ecosystems in protecting migratory species throughout their life cycles and promoting connectivity of ecological processes and species migrations. It will identify threats such as renewable energy infrastructure and limiting plastic pollution and propose opportunities to include migratory species in planning and management.