This edited volume offers a blueprint for using marine historical ecology to confront the challenges of ocean conservation in a rapidly changing world. Marine historical ecology developed out of the growing realization that societies have altered marine ecosystems for millennia. As this interdisciplinary field has deepened our understanding of oceans past, so too has it become increasingly relevant to conservation, management, and policy. In this book, we focus on four critical challenges that confront marine conservation: (1) recovering endangered species; (2) conserving fisheries; (3) restor ... More

This edited volume offers a blueprint for using marine historical ecology to confront the challenges of ocean conservation in a rapidly changing world. Marine historical ecology developed out of the growing realization that societies have altered marine ecosystems for millennia. As this interdisciplinary field has deepened our understanding of oceans past, so too has it become increasingly relevant to conservation, management, and policy. In this book, we focus on four critical challenges that confront marine conservation: (1) recovering endangered species; (2) conserving fisheries; (3) restoring ecosystems; and (4) engaging the public. Using insights from marine historical ecology, the book's contributors advance science-based conservation solutions and highlight practical ways to enable their uptake in the policy and conservation realm. Each chapter showcases practical examples of how historical data can be used in the conservation of marine ecosystems, drawing on real-world and theoretical examples. By focusing preferentially on stories of recovery and applied solutions, we hope this volume will embolden readers with new ideas and tools to restore ocean environments and resilient coastal communities.