TY - JOUR

T1 - Nutrientscape ecology

T2 - a whole-system framework to support the understanding and management of coastal nutrient connectivity

AU - Palola, Pirta

AU - Pittman, Simon J.

AU - Collin, Antoine

AU - Benkwitt, Cassandra E.

AU - Thomson, Eleanor

AU - Malhi, Yadvinder

AU - Graham, Nicholas A. J.

AU - Wedding, Lisa M.

PY - 2025/3/31

Y1 - 2025/3/31

N2 - Context: Nutrient connectivity across landscapes and seascapes plays a fundamental role in shaping the structure and function of coastal ecosystems. A whole-system understanding of the spatial–temporal dynamics and ecological significance of nutrient connectivity is essential for developing more effective coastal management strategies. Objectives: The aim of this study is to summarize the recent state-of-science in coastal nutrient connectivity research and identify future research needs. We then propose an integrated and solution-oriented scientific framework to advance a landscape ecology approach to address the research needs. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review of 77 studies on nutrient flows in tropical and subtropical coastal marine environments (coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses) that have been conducted over the past decade. Results: Few studies considered interlinkages between multiple coastal habitats. Most (73%) studies that examined ecological impacts of nutrient connectivity focused on anthropogenic terrestrial runoff and indicated negative ecological responses to nutrients. Few studies adopted landscape ecology concepts and methods. We identified 15 research needs for advancing coastal nutrient connectivity research. Urgent research needs include the impacts of climate change on nutrient connectivity, the interactions between multiple nutrient pathways across habitats, and the social-economic drivers and impacts of change. An integrated framework that we term nutrientscape ecology is presented as a way forward. Conclusions: The nutrientscape ecology framework emphasizes the spatially explicit study of pattern-process relationships across multiple scales and leverages concepts and methods from landscape ecology and systems thinking. We seek to inspire interdisciplinary research collaborations and the development of a predictive science of nutrient connectivity that informs coastal management.

AB - Context: Nutrient connectivity across landscapes and seascapes plays a fundamental role in shaping the structure and function of coastal ecosystems. A whole-system understanding of the spatial–temporal dynamics and ecological significance of nutrient connectivity is essential for developing more effective coastal management strategies. Objectives: The aim of this study is to summarize the recent state-of-science in coastal nutrient connectivity research and identify future research needs. We then propose an integrated and solution-oriented scientific framework to advance a landscape ecology approach to address the research needs. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review of 77 studies on nutrient flows in tropical and subtropical coastal marine environments (coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses) that have been conducted over the past decade. Results: Few studies considered interlinkages between multiple coastal habitats. Most (73%) studies that examined ecological impacts of nutrient connectivity focused on anthropogenic terrestrial runoff and indicated negative ecological responses to nutrients. Few studies adopted landscape ecology concepts and methods. We identified 15 research needs for advancing coastal nutrient connectivity research. Urgent research needs include the impacts of climate change on nutrient connectivity, the interactions between multiple nutrient pathways across habitats, and the social-economic drivers and impacts of change. An integrated framework that we term nutrientscape ecology is presented as a way forward. Conclusions: The nutrientscape ecology framework emphasizes the spatially explicit study of pattern-process relationships across multiple scales and leverages concepts and methods from landscape ecology and systems thinking. We seek to inspire interdisciplinary research collaborations and the development of a predictive science of nutrient connectivity that informs coastal management.

KW - Seascape

KW - Phosphorus

KW - Social-ecological systems

KW - Systematic literature review

KW - Landscape ecology

KW - Nitrogen

U2 - 10.1007/s10980-025-02060-w

DO - 10.1007/s10980-025-02060-w

M3 - Review article

VL - 40

JO - Landscape Ecology

JF - Landscape Ecology

SN - 0921-2973

IS - 3

M1 - 48

ER -