A new global synthesis published today in Nature Reviews Biodiversity reveals how seabirds act as powerful connectors between marine and terrestrial ecosystems and why protecting seabirds is a powerful opportunity when tackling the triple crises of climate change, failing ocean health, and biodiversity loss.
Led by Dr Holly Jones of Northern Illinois University, with contributions from global experts and conservation leaders including BirdLife International, The Nature Conservancy, Lancaster University and Island Conservation, the study introduces the concept of the "circular seabird economy"-a natural process where seabirds transfer nutrients from ocean to land and back again, shaping biodiversity and ecosystem health across vast scales.
"Seabirds function as biological pumps, consuming prey in the ocean and transferring large quantities of nutrients to their breeding grounds on land," said Dr Jones. "They connect the ocean and islands in ways that are both powerful and measurable."
Drawing on decades of research, this paper demonstrates how seabird-derived nutrients, delivered through guano (bird poop), fuel productivity on islands and nearby marine habitats.
"These nutrient flows, when they leach back into surrounding waters, support coral growth, bolster fish biomass, and enhance the resilience of marine ecosystems to the effects of climate change" explains Professor Nick Graham of Lancaster University and co-author. "The ecological benefits of these natural nutrient flows are really very dramatic."
Yet, nearly one-third of seabird species are threatened with extinction and islands, where most seabirds breed, are among the world's most vulnerable marine biodiversity hotspots. The study identifies critical knowledge gaps, particularly in underrepresented habitats like mangroves, seagrass beds, and oyster reefs, and calls for more integrated research across terrestrial and marine systems to fully understand the scope and potential of the circular seabird economy.
"Seabirds influence ecosystems across vast spatial scales, yet many of their marine impacts remain understudied. This paper identifies key knowledge gaps and calls for more integrated research to understand how seabirds support ecosystem function from ridge to reef," said Dr Casey Benkwitt of Lancaster University, and study co-author.
The authors emphasise that restoring seabird populations through proven methods like invasive species removal, social attraction, and chick translocation can re-establish these critical nutrient flows and help buffer ecosystems against climate impacts.
"We now have the science to show that seabird restoration is one of the most effective tools for ecosystem recovery. By removing invasive species and reconnecting nutrient flows, we can restore island and marine systems at scale-and deliver lasting benefits for biodiversity," said Stephanie Borrelle, Marine and Pacific Regional Coordinator at BirdLife International.
As threats to seabirds intensify, so does the need for innovative science and inclusive conservation. The study highlights emerging tools, like remote sensing, ecoacoustics, and environmental DNA, that are transforming how we monitor seabird impacts across land and sea. These technologies offer scalable, cost-effective ways to track ecosystem recovery and guide restoration efforts.
But the authors are clear: science alone isn't enough.
"Seabirds are intimately tied to many cultures around the world, yet Indigenous and traditional ecological knowledge have largely been sidelined by dominant forms of science. Future research should seek a more holistic approach that weaves in indigenous perspectives on the circular seabird economy," says Laura-Li Jeannot, a PhD student at Lancaster University and study co-author.
Understanding how seabirds support the ecosystems people rely on, from fisheries to coastal protection, is essential. By investing in seabird restoration and the science that supports it, we can unlock powerful co-benefits for nature and communities alike.
Lancaster University researchers involved in the study are Professor Nick Graham, Dr Casey Benkwitt, Dr Ruth Dunn, and Laura-Li Jeannot, all of Lancaster Environment Centre.
DOI: 10.1038/s44358-025-00099-w
