Tidal flats are a globally distributed coastal ecosystem important for supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services. Local to continental-scale studies have documented rapid loss of tidal habitat driven by human impacts, but assessments of progress in their conservation are lacking. We analysed human pressure on tidal flats, and measured their representation in protected areas using a newly developed, internally-consistent estimate of distribution and change for the world's tidal flats. We discovered that 68% of the current extent of tidal flats is subject to moderate to very high human pressure (Human Modification Index > 0.1), but that 31% of tidal flat extent occurred within protected areas, far exceeding percent protection of the marine (6%) and terrestrial (13%) realms. Net change of tidal flat extent inside protected areas was similar to tidal flat net change outside protected areas between 1999 and 2016. Substantial shortfalls in tidal flat protection occurred across Asia, where large intertidal extents coincide with high to very high human pressure (Human Modification Index > 0.4-1), and net tidal flat losses up to 86.4 km² (83.9 km²-89.0 km²; 95% confidence interval) occurred inside individual protected area boundaries within the study period. Taken together, our results show substantial progress in protected area designation for tidal flats globally, but that protected area status alone does not prevent all habitat loss. Safeguarding the world's tidal flats will thus require deeper understanding of the factors that govern their dynamics and effective policy that promotes holistic coastal and catchment management strategies. Article impact statement: 31% of the world's tidal flats are protected, but more is needed to counter human pressure and avoid further global tidal flat loss. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

中文翻译：

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全球保护区覆盖率和人类对滩涂的压力

滩涂是分布于全球的沿海生态系统，对于支持生物多样性和生态系统服务非常重要。本地到大陆范围的研究记录了人类影响导致潮汐栖息地的迅速丧失，但缺乏对其保护进展的评估。我们分析了人类对滩涂的压力，并使用新开发的、内部一致的世界滩涂分布和变化估计来衡量它们在保护区中的代表性。我们发现，目前 68% 的滩涂范围受到中等至极高的人类压力（人类改造指数 > 0.1），但 31% 的滩涂范围发生在保护区内，远远超过海洋保护的百分比（ 6%) 和陆地 (13%) 领域。保护区内滩涂范围的净变化与 1999 年至 2016 年期间保护区外的滩涂净变化相似。亚洲各地的滩涂保护严重不足，其中大的潮间带范围与高到非常高的人类压力（人类改造指数）一致> 0.4-1)，研究期间个别保护区边界内发生了高达 86.4 平方公里（83.9 平方公里-89.0 平方公里；95% 置信区间）的净潮滩损失。综上所述，我们的研究结果表明，全球潮滩保护区的指定取得了实质性进展，但仅靠保护区地位并不能防止所有栖息地丧失。保护世界' 因此，潮滩将需要更深入地了解控制其动态的因素以及促进整体沿海和集水区管理战略的有效政策。文章影响声明：世界上 31% 的滩涂受到保护，但还需要更多的措施来对抗人类压力并避免全球滩涂进一步流失。本文受版权保护。版权所有。