European riverine and coastal wetlands under pressure: biodiversity and climate change

Abstract

Although European coastal and riverine wetlands occupy a small share of the European land area, these ecosystems host remarkable biodiversity and provide a wide range of ecosystem services fundamental for human well-being, including clean water, recreation, food provision and climate regulation. Synthesising current knowledge across biogeographic regions, this review shows that only 12% of EU riverine and coastal wetland habitat types are in favourable condition, while the majority continue to deteriorate, mirrored by substantial declines in many wetland-dependent species. Climate-related impacts vary strongly across Europe and interact with existing human pressures such as land-use change, hydromorphological alteration, hydropower, coastal engineering and pollution, accelerating habitat and species loss and reducing the resilience of wetlands to climate change impacts. The paper calls for a rethinking of coastal and riverine wetlands as multifunctional landscapes and stresses the need for coordinated, cross-sectoral policy approaches. These wetlands are positioned not only as vulnerable systems but as pivotal Nature-based Solutions for achieving climate resilience and halting biodiversity loss, while remaining essential resources for human life support. Highlights Remaining European riverine and coastal wetlands are small and fragmented, yet vital for biodiversity and climate resilience. Only 12% of EU riverine and coastal wetland habitat types remain in favourable conservation status. Climate impacts vary regionally and interact with multiple pressures, demanding tailored adaptation strategies. Wetland multifunctionality makes them key Nature-based Solutions. Riverine and coastal wetlands must move from the policy periphery to the core of climate-biodiversity action, enabled by an integrated, cross-sectoral restoration and conservation effort.

Topics & Concepts