title: Application of management tools to integrate ecological principles with the design of marine infrastructure.
abstract: Globally the coastal zone is suffering the collateral damage from continuing urban development and construction, expanding resource sectors, increasing population, regulation to river flow, and on-going land change and degradation. While protection of natural coastal habitat is recommended, balancing conservation with human services is now the challenge for managers. Marine infrastructure such as seawalls, marinas and offshore platforms is increasingly used to support and provide services, but has primarily been designed for engineering purposes without consideration of the ecological consequences. Increasingly developments are seeking alternatives to hard engineering and a range of ecological solutions has begun to replace or be incorporated into marine and coastal infrastructure. But too often, hard engineering remains the primary strategy because the tools for managers to implement ecological solutions are either lacking or not supported by policy and stakeholders. Here we outline critical research needs for marine urban development and emerging strategies that seek to mitigate the impacts of marine infrastructure. We present case studies to highlight the strategic direction necessary to support management decisions internationally.
authors.affiliation: Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia. Electronic address: k.dafforn@unsw.edu.au.
authors.forename: Katherine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Dafforn
authors.affiliation: Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia.
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mayer-Pinto
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on the Ecological Impacts of Coastal Cities, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
authors.forename: Rebecca L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: TropWATER, Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
authors.forename: Nathan J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Waltham
mesh_terms: D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D004463:Ecology; D017753:Ecosystem; D004779:Environment Design; D006801:Humans; D009792:Oceans and Seas
keywords: Eco-engineering; Managed realignment; Marine spatial planning; Marine urban development; Offshore energy installations; Policy