Trait-based Approaches to Inform Conservation and Restoration of Marine Ecosystems

Biological and ecological characteristics of a species, or “traits,” provide an alternative essential unit to species for community analyses. A trait is a well-defined, measurable characteristic that reflects species morphology, physiology, phenology, life history, or behaviour, as well as its performance within ecosystems. We refer to effect or response traits if they indicate influence on ecosystem function or response to environmental or anthropogenic changes, respectively. Effect traits, therefore, help bridge species diversity with ecosystem functions and services, whereas response traits help identify sensitive species to threats. Acting as a “common currency” across taxa and ecosystems, traits enable comparisons among distinct ecosystems. Consequently, we can benefit from the use of traits to address emerging ecological questions in global change science, resource management, conservation, and restoration, which explains the growing trend over recent decades toward trait-based approaches in ecological research and the compilation of trait databases.Marine habitats provide a wealth of resources and essential ecosystem services, such as food provision and carbon sequestration, yet they are increasingly exposed to multiple, interacting human pressures, including overfishing, habitat loss, pollution, invasive species, and climate change, which degrade ecosystem health and resilience. These cumulative threats pose major challenges for marine conservation and restoration, which are further constrained by incomplete ecological data and the high cost and variable success of restoration interventions. In this context, traits offer a powerful tool for estimating sensitivity and resilience of species to environmental and anthropogenically induced change across all marine environments, from coastal zones to the deep ocean. Trait information improves predictions of future ecosystem scenarios, helps identify functionally important species that sustain key processes, and supports the prioritization of conservation and restoration actions. As a result, trait-based approaches are strongly recommended in the design of protected areas, development of restoration strategies, and other components of marine ecosystem management.This Research Topic seeks research that significantly advances our understanding of marine ecosystem health status from surface to abyssal ecosystems, to inform conservation and restoration actions using trait-based approaches.Key areas of interest include:- Trait-based vulnerability assessments- Trait-based approaches in conservation planning- Trait-based approaches in restoration and recovery- Methodological advances and trait databases- Functional diversity, ecosystem functioning, and trait-based ecologyManuscript types may include:- Original research - Reviews and synthesis- Methodological manuscripts- Opinion articles Topic editors: Neus Campanyà-Llovet, Amanda E Bates, Ana Colaço, Sofia P. Ramalho Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77919/trait-based-approaches-to-inform-conservation-and-restoration-of-marine-ecosystems