MAR2PROTECT Conference 23º Encontro Nacional de Ecologia (CIIMAR)

Saltmarsh Ecosystems as Nature-Based Solutions for Water Quality Management and Climate Resilience: A Case Study from the Lima Estuary Freitas V.1*, Ramos S.1,2, Garcia L.1, Cunha J. 1,3, Almeida C.M.R. 1,4 1 Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal. *[email protected] 2 Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal. 3 CITAB/Inov4Agro – Centre for Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal. 4 Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 687, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal. Saltmarshes are productive ecosystems located at the land-sea boundary along sheltered coastlines, providing a wide range of critical goods and services for society. These include coastal and flood protection, biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, food provision, and water purification, among others. Despite their importance, these ecosystems have suffered significant degradation due to human activities. Natural wetlands, including saltmarshes, are increasingly recognized as nature-based solutions (NBS) in water management strategies, particularly in regulating the hydrological cycle and improving water quality. Estuarine saltmarshes can help remove organic and inorganic contaminants from surface waters, mitigating the effects of wastewater and other diffuse pollution sources. In the Lima estuary (North Portugal), an innovative approach is being implemented that combines the phytoremediation potential of saltmarsh halophyte plants with pilot revegetation efforts to enhance the uptake and/or biodegradation of contaminants present in sediment and surface water. The saltmarsh’s role in reducing saltwater intrusion and coastal erosion during extreme weather events, under various climate change scenarios, is also being assessed using ecosystem services models. In addition, a multi-stakeholder livinglab has been established to raise awareness of the importance of saltmarshes as NBS, aiming to foster community engagement through co-designed activities for the protection of these ecosystems. All these activities are being developed in the framework of the Mar2Protect EU project, to showcase the potential of saltmarsh ecosystems in promoting sustainable water management and climate adaptation. Acknowledgements: This research was developed under the Project Mar2Protect (GA Nº 101082048) funded by European Union Horizon Europe. The authors also acknowledge funding from Fundação para a Ciência a Tecnologia (FCT) through the contracts awarded to V. Freitas (DL57/2016/CP1344/CT0027), and the PhD grant awarded to J. Cunha (PD/BD/150359/2019).