Abstract
Coastal wetlands are among the most valuable but threatened ecosystems globally. Here we address the need to move beyond isolated, site-based restoration by developing an integrated spatial strategy that co-optimizes conservation and restoration to maximize multiple ecosystem benefits. Using the Yellow River Delta as a case study, we combined systematic conservation planning with spatial optimization modeling to identify priority areas for both conservation and restoration under budget constraints. Restoration cost was assessed by added hydrological accessibility and we explored restoration feasibility by elevation-based habitat suitability for tidal vegetation. We find that an optimal integrated pattern, achievable under a 50% target level for mitigating ecosystem service losses, could enhance total ecosystem service value by 19% compared with the current baseline. We further proposed tailored management strategies, focusing on enhancing habitat connectivity, managing regional carbon and aquaculture wastewater. Our integrated conservation-restoration framework highlights co-benefits that are missed by separate strategies for conservation and restoration and facilitates informed decision making.
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Data availability
The dataset supporting this study is publicly available on Zenodo (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18634553), including key ecosystem services raster layers (carbon storage, habitat quality, and water purification) under potential conservation and restoration patterns and the complete Marxan v2.43 input files and parameter settings.
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Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Shandong Joint Foundation of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. U22A20558), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 42501354, No. 32171572), the Hebei Province Natural Science Foundation (C2025205029).
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X.W.L., B.S.C., and T.T.M. conceived the study. L.H.Z. and X.L. drafted the initial manuscript and conducted formal analysis. T.T.M. and L.H.Z. developed the methodology and prepared all figures. T.T.M. curated the data. X.W.L., L.H.Z., and W.H.G. supervised the project and acquired funding. X.W.L., L.H.Z., X.L., and D.W.W. critically reviewed the manuscript and provided commentary or revisions.
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Zhi, L., Li, X., Li, X. et al. An integrated strategy maximises cobenefits of conservation and restoration for ecosystem services in coastal wetlands. Commun Earth Environ (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-026-03376-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-026-03376-4
