Reef Revival: How Artificial Reefs Are Shaping Marine Conservation Efforts

Globally, marine ecosystems are deteriorating due to changing environments, including ocean acidification, increasing ocean temperatures, and invasive species. With this urgency, attention has shifted from conservation to active restoration, with artificial reefs (ARs) being increasingly relied on. ARs could be various structures, including reef balls, sunken boats, planes, or statues, each presenting unique obstacles and implications. The majority are intentionally placed structures for shelter and habitat, which will be the focus here.

Research indicates that deploying these structures can significantly increase fish and target species abundance, habitat, and coral cover, with highest success rates observed in providing nursery habitat and increasing coral cover. These benefits foster stable ecosystems and diverse life, with social benefits including support for ecotourism through activities like snorkeling or scuba diving. To maximize the impact of ARs, it is necessary to consider the specifics of the ecosystem where is being placed, and the goals of the deployment of the structure.

ARs may not always shave the desired effect on an ecosystem; they may not provide adequate habitat or substrate, or encourage population growth of target species. It's also crucial to consider the effects of introduced materials on the environment, as studies have noted potential harm from leeching and deterioration of ARs over time. Additionally, ARs fail to address underlying environmental issues leading to ecosystem deterioration.

Maximizing AR success necessitates detailed planning of deployment location, size, shape, building material, and monitoring. This involves an economic component as stakeholders and governments consider funding for conservation and restoration projects. However, with proper funding, planning, and implementation, ARs can become widely-used restoration tools benefiting ecosystems worldwide. 

For more information, check out these articles:

A systematic review of artificial reefs as platforms for coral reef research and conservation | PLOS ONE. (n.d.). Retrieved February 28, 2024, from https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0261964

Komyakova, V., Chamberlain, D., & Swearer, S. E. (2021). A multi-species assessment of artificial reefs as ecological traps. Ecological Engineering, 171, 106394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2021.106394

Vivier, B., Dauvin, J.-C., Navon, M., Rusig, A.-M., Mussio, I., Orvain, F., Boutouil, M., & Claquin, P. (2021). Marine artificial reefs, a meta-analysis of their design, objectives and effectiveness. Global Ecology and Conservation, 27, e01538. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01538