Restoring marine ecosystems to conserve the value of our ocean
Promoting the ecological restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems globally
Marine ecosystems are under pressure globally resulting in dramatic losses in structure, function and biodiversity. Factors driving these losses include anthropogenic pressures such as habitat destruction, pollution, invasive species, overfishing and destructive fishing practices, and, more recently, climate change effects, such as ocean warming, and acidification.
These losses lead to the decrease in the quantity and quality of the delivery of associated services these ecosystems provide such as coastal protection, fisheries productivity, carbon storage, tourism opportunities, and a long list of invaluable cultural values. Coral reef and associated ecosystem services are valued in trillions of USD per year, and their loss represents a real danger for our wellbeing.
Large scale solutions include climate action, fisheries management, and pollution control but reversing declines also call for restoration efforts. Following concepts developed for terrestrial systems, coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses can be re-planted to re-establish functioning, self-sustainable ecosystems.
With global expertise and partnerships, our mission is to facilitate the design, implementation, monitoring, and communication of marine ecosystem restoration projects around the world.
Why restore reefs?
About Us
We are an international scientific consulting agency that focuses on social and ecological aspects of marine ecosystem restoration. Through our partnerships with expert organizations around the world, our work aims to:
INFORM scientific research for the restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems;
SYNTHESISE latest research to assist the development of management and policy guidelines ;
ASSIST managers and practitioners in the design, implementation, and monitoring their restoration projects;
Margaux Hein, PhD
Dr. Margaux is a marine biologist and the Lead Consultant of MER Research and Consulting. Originally from the Principality of Monaco, she obtained a Bachelor Degree in Environmental Science at the University of Queensland and her Masters and Doctorate at James Cook University in Australia. Her research focuses on the social and ecological characteristics of coral restoration success. With projects around the world since 2012, she is currently acting as an official consultant with the International Coral Reef Initiative, and the Reef Resilience Network.
Projects
UN Environmental Programme
Official consultant for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) with the mission to lead and write a UNEP report on global best-practices for coral restoration.
The Reef Resilience Network
Working with our partners at the Reef Resilience Network building online course material, and helping develop and implement a Manager’s Guide for coral reef restoration planning and design.
Best Practice Coral Restoration for the Great Barrier Reef
Co-investigator on the Australian project “Best Practice Coral Restoration for the Great Barrier Reef” funded by the National Environmental Science Program (NESP), in collaboration between James Cook University and Reef Ecologic.
International Coral Reef Initiative
Ad-hoc committee member for the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) on reef restoration. We also serve as consultants on a range of projects associated with coral reef restoration, specifically for ICRI. Visit ICRI’s Reef Restoration Hub here.
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CONTACT US
We would love to hear from you.
MER Research and Consulting
The Office_ 1 rue de la Lüjerneta
98000 Monaco (MC)
Email: margaux.hein@gmail.com
Ph: +33 607938515 (Monaco)
+1 6037759082 (USA)