SNAPP: Aligning coastal restoration with ecological and societal needs

Coastal ecosystems play a critical ecological and societal role in coastal communities; yet natural and anthropogenic pressures have led to degradation of habitat quality and a reduction in the extent of wetlands, reefs and coastal forests worldwide. Currently billions of dollars are being put towards reducing the risks of disasters and climate change though coastal habitat restoration. New policies emphasize planning processes that work across sectors and jurisdictions to fund project that provide the greatest returns for people and nature. As a result, governmental and non-governmental agencies, as well as industry, are facing hard decisions about where to invest in coastal restoration and how to set targets to meet the needs of both nature and people. In response to the needs of agencies, the SNAPP Working Group will scope what drives current restoration decisions and examine what scientific information agencies need to better inform future decisions. The group will assess the degree to which funding efforts are associated with societal and ecological needs in terms of restoration efforts, and they will develop achievable metrics and approaches for guiding future restoration efforts.