Integrated Ecosystem Management for Sustainable Development in Sussex

Land-Sea Pollution Linkages and SDG 14

A direct correlation exists between terrestrial activities and marine ecosystem health, posing significant challenges to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water). Land-based pollution sources in the Sussex region critically impact the marine environment.

• Agricultural runoff, containing high levels of nitrates and phosphates from artificial fertilizers, flows downstream into the ocean.
• Urban pollution, including plastics and other contaminants, is transported by water runoff into marine ecosystems.

The historical straightening of river channels for agricultural purposes has exacerbated this issue. The modification accelerates the flow of water, preventing natural filtration and delivering pollutants directly into the sea, thereby undermining efforts related to SDG 14.1, which targets the reduction of marine pollution from land-based activities.

Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships Advancing the Global Goals

Collaborative efforts are fundamental to addressing these integrated environmental challenges. The initiatives in Sussex exemplify the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by uniting diverse stakeholders toward common objectives for nature recovery.

• Weald to Waves: A project connecting nature corridors across the county, fostering collaboration between land managers, farmers, and marine conservationists.
• Sussex Bay: An organization working closely with terrestrial projects to improve the health of the marine environment.
• Adur River Recovery Project: A partnership between the Knepp Wildland Foundation, landowners, and Sussex Bay focused on river restoration.

River Restoration for SDG 6 and SDG 15

The Adur River Recovery Project is actively working with landowners to restore the natural, meandering paths of rivers. This nature-based solution directly contributes to multiple Sustainable Development Goals.

• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): By slowing water flow, restored river systems allow for the natural interception of sediment and filtration of pollutants by mud flats and salt marshes, improving water quality.
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): The project restores vital freshwater ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity and the health of terrestrial environments.

Rewilding as a Catalyst for Climate Resilience and Water Security

The Knepp Wilding project demonstrates the profound impact of rewilding on ecosystem function, particularly through the reintroduction of beavers. These “ecosystem engineers” contribute significantly to local and regional sustainability targets.

1. Habitat Creation: Beaver dams create new wetlands, which become vibrant habitats for a wide range of biodiversity, supporting SDG 15 (Life on Land).
2. Climate Resilience: The wetlands and dams build resilience in waterways. They retain water during periods of drought and slow the flow during floods, contributing to climate adaptation efforts under SDG 13 (Climate Action).
3. Water Filtration: The dams act as natural filters, trapping sediment and pollutants. This process improves the quality of water flowing downstream, directly advancing the objectives of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Identified Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The article focuses on water pollution from agricultural and urban runoff and efforts to improve water quality through natural filtration and river restoration.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water – The text directly links land-based activities, such as the use of fertilisers and urban pollution, to the health of the ocean, highlighting the need to reduce marine pollution.
• SDG 15: Life on Land – The article describes projects aimed at restoring terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, such as rewilding, creating nature corridors, restoring rivers, and enhancing biodiversity through the actions of “ecosystem engineers” like beavers.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The text emphasizes the importance of collaboration between different groups, including farmers, fishers, land managers, and community projects like ‘Weald to Waves’ and the ‘Adur Recovery Project’, to achieve nature recovery goals.

Specific SDG Targets

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.3: “By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution…” The article directly addresses this by discussing how nitrates, phosphates, plastics, and urban pollution from land sweep into the ocean. It also highlights solutions, such as beaver dams that “filter pollution, catching sediment.”
   • Target 6.5: “By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels…” This is demonstrated by the collaborative approach between upstream land managers (farmers) and downstream marine stakeholders (Sussex Bay), connecting land and sea management through projects like ‘Weald to Waves’.
   • Target 6.6: “By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems…” The article provides clear examples of this through the ‘Adur Recovery Project’, which works to return rivers to their “natural, weaving paths,” and the rewilding efforts at Knepp, where beavers create new wet areas and dams.

2. SDG 14: Life Below Water

   • Target 14.1: “By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities…” The article’s central theme is the connection between land-based pollution (artificial fertilisers, plastics, urban pollution) and the sea, stating that these pollutants “eventually end up in the sea.” The projects discussed aim to mitigate this flow.

3. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.1: “By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems…” This is exemplified by the ‘Weald to Waves’ project “connecting nature corridors across the county” and the ‘Adur Recovery Project’ restoring the river.
   • Target 15.3: “By 2030, …restore degraded land and soil…and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.” The article mentions the need for “healthy soils” for farmers and describes how rewilding projects build resilience in waterways against drought and flooding, which are linked to land degradation.
   • Target 15.5: “Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity…” The work of beavers as “ecosystem engineers” who “create vibrant habitats for biodiversity” and the restoration of meandering rivers to help “both marine and terrestrial life” directly support this target.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The article highlights a “shared commitment for nature recovery between farmers and fishers” and describes collaborations between various entities: Sussex Bay, Weald to Waves, the Adur Recovery Project, the Knepp Wildland Foundation, and local landowners.

Implied Indicators for Measuring Progress

• Water Quality Measurement: The article implies that progress can be measured by testing the water. The description of beaver dams making water “a bit cleaner” suggests an indicator would be the measured reduction in the concentration of pollutants like nitrates, phosphates, and sediment in the water downstream of the restoration projects.
• Habitat Restoration Area: The ‘Adur Recovery Project’ aims to “return the rivers to their natural, weaving paths,” and beavers are “creating dams and new wet areas.” A clear indicator is the area (in hectares or square kilometers) of restored riverine, wetland, and terrestrial habitats, including the length of the river returned to a meandering state.
• Biodiversity Levels: The article states that the projects create “vibrant habitats for biodiversity” and support “abundant pollinators.” Progress could be measured by monitoring species richness and abundance within the project areas over time.
• Number and Effectiveness of Partnerships: The existence of collaborations like ‘Weald to Waves’ and the ‘Adur Recovery Project’ is itself an indicator. Progress can be tracked by the number of active multi-stakeholder partnerships and their success in implementing nature recovery projects.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: oceanographicmagazine.com