Alternate benthic assemblages on reef restoration structures and cascading effects on coral settlement

Published source details Miller M.W., Valdivia A., Kramer K.L., Mason B., Williams D.E. & Johnston L. (2009) Alternate benthic assemblages on reef restoration structures and cascading effects on coral settlement. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 387, 147-156.
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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

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

A study in 2007 on artificial and natural reefs in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Florida, USA (Miller et al. 2009) reported that hard coral cover was similar on two older concrete and limestone artificial reefs compared to natural reefs but lower on two newer reefs. Percentage of hard coral cover on 12-year-old artificial reefs was similar to adjacent natural reference reefs (Maitland artificial: 5%, natural: 3%; Elpis artificial: 5%, natural: 4%) but newer reefs had lower hard coral cover than natural reefs (Iselin eight-year-old artificial: 2%, natural: 5%; Wellwood five-year-old artificial: 2%, natural: 8%). Results presented as a similarity index including all species recorded. The hard coral community on the 12-year-old artificial reefs was dominated by Porites asteroides. In 2007, four 10-metre-long line transect surveys were carried out on four concrete and limestone artificial reefs (two 12-, one eight-, and one five-years-old) and adjacent natural reefs. The percentage of hard coral cover was recorded.

(Summarised by: Ann Thornton)