Not just carbon: biodiversity credits for restoration of the marine animal forests

The ecosystems known as Marine Animal Forests (MAFs), predominantly inhabited by sessile invertebrates, represent critical biodiversity hotspots under imminent threats from human activities and climate change. This perspective evaluates the concept of biodiversity for MAFs restoration by incentivizing MAF restoration projects, and harnessing the advantages of biodiversity credits under the notion of ‘biodiversity-carbon credits’ for the MAFs, further aligning with global biodiversity objectives. Beyond addressing a significant restoration gap, our approach harmonizes with international initiatives, encouraging additional classes of stakeholders to join restoration efforts. Illuminating these often-neglected ecosystems, our proposed approach seeks to implant proactive measures for the restoration and conservation of the global MAFs, contributing to a sustainable future in which ecosystem functioning is re-established. By elevating biodiversity and carbon immobilization, our approach not only augments ecological services but also fortifies the resilience of these vital marine habitats.