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Current and projected global extent of marine built structures

Author

Listed:
  • A. B. Bugnot

    (The University of Sydney
    Sydney Institute of Marine Science
    University of New South Wales)

  • M. Mayer-Pinto

    (Sydney Institute of Marine Science
    University of New South Wales)

  • L. Airoldi

    (University of Padova, UO CoNISMa
    University of Bologna)

  • E. C. Heery

    (Friday Harbor Laboratories)

  • E. L. Johnston

    (University of New South Wales)

  • L. P. Critchley

    (Macquarie University)

  • E. M. A. Strain

    (University of Tasmania)

  • R. L. Morris

    (University of Melbourne)

  • L. H. L. Loke

    (Macquarie University)

  • M. J. Bishop

    (Macquarie University)

  • E. V. Sheehan

    (University of Plymouth)

  • R. A. Coleman

    (The University of Sydney)

  • K. A. Dafforn

    (Sydney Institute of Marine Science
    Macquarie University)

Abstract

The sprawl of marine construction is one of the most extreme human modifications to global seascapes. Nevertheless, its global extent remains largely unquantified compared to that on land. We synthesized disparate information from a diversity of sources to provide a global assessment of the extent of existing and projected marine construction and its effects on the seascape. Here we estimated that the physical footprint of built structures was at least 32,000 km2 worldwide as of 2018, and is expected to cover 39,400 km2 by 2028. The area of seascape modified around structures was 1.0–3.4 × 106 km2 in 2018 and was projected to increase by 50–70% for power and aquaculture infrastructure, cables and tunnels by 2028. In 2018, marine construction affected 1.5% (0.7–2.4%) of global Exclusive Economic Zones, comparable to the global extent of urban land estimated at 0.02–1.7%. This study provides a critical baseline for tracking future marine human development.

Suggested Citation

  • A. B. Bugnot & M. Mayer-Pinto & L. Airoldi & E. C. Heery & E. L. Johnston & L. P. Critchley & E. M. A. Strain & R. L. Morris & L. H. L. Loke & M. J. Bishop & E. V. Sheehan & R. A. Coleman & K. A. Daff, 2021. "Current and projected global extent of marine built structures," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 33-41, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:4:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41893-020-00595-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-020-00595-1
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    Cited by:

    1. M. A. Clare & A. Lichtschlag & S. Paradis & N. L. M. Barlow, 2023. "Assessing the impact of the global subsea telecommunications network on sedimentary organic carbon stocks," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Barrett, Luke T. & Theuerkauf, Seth J. & Rose, Julie M. & Alleway, Heidi K. & Bricker, Suzanne B. & Parker, Matt & Petrolia, Daniel R. & Jones, Robert C., 2022. "Sustainable growth of non-fed aquaculture can generate valuable ecosystem benefits," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).
    3. Stelzenmüller, V. & Letschert, J. & Gimpel, A. & Kraan, C. & Probst, W.N. & Degraer, S. & Döring, R., 2022. "From plate to plug: The impact of offshore renewables on European fisheries and the role of marine spatial planning," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).

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