Long-term nutrient reductions lead to the unprecedented recovery of a temperate coastal region

Jonathan S. Lefcheck; Robert J. Orth; William C. Dennison; Dave J Wilcox; Rebecca R. Murphy; Jennifer L. Keisman; Cassie Gurbisz; Michael P. Hannam; J. Brooke Landry; Kenneth A. Moore; Christopher J. Patrick; Jeremy Testa; Donald E. Weller; Richard A. Batiuk

doi:10.1073/pnas.1715798115

USGS · 70228191

Long-term nutrient reductions lead to the unprecedented recovery of a temperate coastal region

Jonathan S. Lefcheck·Robert J. Orth·William C. Dennison·Dave J Wilcox·Rebecca R. Murphy·Jennifer L. Keisman·Cassie Gurbisz·Michael P. Hannam·J. Brooke Landry·Kenneth A. Moore·Christopher J. Patrick·Jeremy Testa·Donald E. Weller·Richard A. Batiuk

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Abstract

Human actions, including nutrient pollution, are causing the widespread degradation of coastal habitats, and efforts to restore these valuable ecosystems have been largely unsuccessful or of limited scope. We provide an example of successful restoration linking effective management of nutrients to the successful recovery of submersed aquatic vegetation along thousands of kilometers of coastline in Chesapeake Bay, United States. We also show that biodiversity conservation can be an effective path toward recovery of coastal systems. Our study validates 30 years of environmental policy and provides a road map for future ecological restoration.

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Source-reported bounding extent: 36.48314061639213° to 42.98053954751642° latitude; -80.771484375° to -74.278564453125° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Jonathan S. Lefcheck, Robert J. Orth, William C. Dennison, Dave J Wilcox, Rebecca R. Murphy, Jennifer L. Keisman, Cassie Gurbisz, Michael P. Hannam, J. Brooke Landry, Kenneth A. Moore, Christopher J. Patrick, Jeremy Testa, Donald E. Weller, Richard A. Batiuk. 2018-03-05. Long-term nutrient reductions lead to the unprecedented recovery of a temperate coastal region. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1715798115

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