Study

Artificial reefs as a reef restoration strategy in sediment-affected environments: Insights from long-term monitoring

  • Published source details Ng C.S.L., Toh T.C. & Chou L.M. (2017) Artificial reefs as a reef restoration strategy in sediment-affected environments: Insights from long-term monitoring. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 27, 976-985.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Use structures made from unnatural materials to restore / repair / create habitat for corals to encourage natural coral settlement

Action Link
Coral Conservation
  1. Use structures made from unnatural materials to restore / repair / create habitat for corals to encourage natural coral settlement

    A replicated, site comparison study in 2004 and 2014 at seven artificial reefs off Singapore (Ng et al. 2017) found that corals settled on fibreglass reefs, and the percentage of organisms that were stony corals increased over 10 years. Stony corals represented on average <1% of organisms on artificial reefs in 2004 and 2–42% (11% average) 10 years later. In 2014, stony coral colonies on average covered <1–32% of artificial reef surfaces and at three of seven sites 25–58% of corals were recorded with eggs (no eggs were recorded at the remaining sites). In the early 2000s, fibreglass artificial reefs were fixed with iron stakes to areas of sand and rubble at seven sites off Singapore’s southern offshore islands. The communities on the outer surfaces of all 84 artificial reefs were surveyed in 2004 and the 44 that remained in 2014. Thirty-five were surveyed in both years. In 2014, three fragments were taken from every adult coral colony ≥12 cm to look for eggs (to determine if the corals were reproductive).

    (Summarised by: Ann Thornton)

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