title: Can the benefits of physical seabed restoration justify the costs? An assessment of a disused aggregate extraction site off the Thames Estuary, UK.
abstract: Physical and biological seabed impacts can persist long after the cessation of marine aggregate dredging. Whilst small-scale experimental studies have shown that it may be possible to mitigate such impacts, it is unclear whether the costs of restoration are justified on an industrial scale. Here we explore this question using a case study off the Thames Estuary, UK. By understanding the nature and scale of persistent impacts, we identify possible techniques to restore the physical properties of the seabed, and the costs and the likelihood of success. An analysis of the ecosystem services and goods/benefits produced by the site is used to determine whether intervention is justified. Whilst a comparison of costs and benefits at this site suggests restoration would not be warranted, the analysis is site-specific. We emphasise the need to better define what is, and is not, an acceptable seabed condition post-dredging.
authors.affiliation: The Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK. Electronic address: keith.cooper@cefas.co.uk.
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.affiliation: Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK.
authors.forename: Daryl
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Burdon
authors.affiliation: The Business School, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK.
authors.forename: Jonathan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Atkins
authors.affiliation: The Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.affiliation: Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth PL1 3DH, UK.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Somerfield
authors.affiliation: Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.affiliation: The Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK; The Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK.
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.affiliation: The Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ware
authors.affiliation: The Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vivian
mesh_terms: D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000191:economics*; D063366:Estuaries; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Aggregate dredging; Ecosystem goods/benefits; Ecosystem services; Impacts; North Sea; Restoration