Marine Functional Connectivity Contributes to Ecosystem Functioning Across Multiple Scales

The passive transport and active movements of marine organisms between habitats and ecosystems, known as marine functional connectivity, play a critical role in the functioning of marine ecosystems. However, marine functional connectivity, particularly at large spatial scales, is often understudied, and consequently tends to be overlooked in marine ecosystem management and conservation. Here, we compile examples from diverse but complementary research fields to demonstrate the fundamental role of marine functional connectivity in essential ecosystem functions such as biological production, energy transfer, nutrient recycling, carbon storage and habitat formation. In addition, we use an expert knowledge-based approach to explore its importance for marine ecosystem management, which identified a number of links between marine functional connectivity and the provision of key ecosystem services. Thus, we advocate for increased integration of marine functional connectivity metrics into conservation and management strategies to protect and restore critical marine ecosystem functions in this time of rapid global change.