Abstract

After securing wetland protection, it is critical to implement restoration actions aimed at restoring their ecological integrity by stopping the negative pressures and reestablishing the ecological functions, including ecosystem services and connectivity. This study proposes a set of restoring areas for the Rocuant-Andalién coastal wetland (2000 ha; Metropolitan Concepción, Chile), which has been highly degraded by the rapid development of urban, port, road, and agricultural lands. To identify the priority potential restoration areas (PRA), we adapted the IUCN-ROAM methodology, including: GIS and ecological connectivity analyses, ecosystem services evaluation, and stakeholder consultation at two spatial scales. For the watershed scale, we identified 45 PRA covering 6053 ha and 17 PRA covering 418 ha for the wetland scale, mainly located in the bottom section of the watershed. Stakeholders prioritized five potential restoration areas (PRA) primarily due to their heightened vulnerability to urbanization and potential landfill exposure. Priority restoration areas have the potential to incorporate water-sensitive design measures. The existing robust collaboration between the public sector and citizen organizations will play a crucial and supportive role in implementing restoration actions within these prioritized zones. However, the tensions between the private sector and citizen organizations can weaken and impede the achievement of restoration in critical areas at both scales. Although all sectors were involved in identifying restoration priorities, there is a need to strengthen and increase the relations between all stakeholders to support the recovery of susceptible and complex natural systems like wetlands.