Abstract
Effective knowledge of ecological connectivity at sea and at the land-sea interface is key to supporting global policy goals to conserve and restore ocean biodiversity and function. However, a persistent lack of commonality in terminology and understanding around the concept of marine connectivity hampers its application in spatial planning and policy, and its integration across disciplines. Building on an extensive literature review, we clarify definitions and subcategories of connectivity, and propose a unified conceptual framework for Marine Functional Connectivity (MFC) research to support multidisciplinary marine science for improved management and policy. We identify key challenges and future directions for advancing this emerging field, bringing together most strands of marine science to understand changes in biodiversity and functional interdependencies between habitats and regions. Placing MFC research at the heart of marine environmental science promises to significantly improve predictions of environmental and socio-economic change and the sustainable use of ecosystems and resources at sea and at the land-sea interface.