Colonization of an artificial reef in south-west England—ex-HMS ‘Scylla’

Published source details Hiscock K., Sharrock S., Highfield J. & Snelling D. (2010) Colonization of an artificial reef in south-west England—ex-HMS ‘Scylla’. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 90, 69-94.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Create artificial reefs Action Link

Create artificial reefs

A site comparison study in 2004–2009 in two areas off the coast of south Cornwall and Devon, English Channel, UK (Hiscock et al. 2010) found that the invertebrate and algae community found on an artificial reef was different to that of nearby natural reefs five years after its creation. Results were not statistically tested. After five years, 263 taxa were found on the artificial reef. The total number of taxa on natural reefs was not specified. Nine conspicuous species were only found on the artificial reef, and 39 conspicuous species were only found on the natural reefs (definition of “conspicuous” unspecified). The abundance of some species on the artificial reef was reported to be lower compared to natural reefs (see paper for details). An ex-Royal Navy boat was placed on the seabed for recreational purposes in March 2004 at 20 m depth. The occurrence and abundance of invertebrates and algae were recorded by divers opportunistically in 2004–2009 (approximately monthly in the first 18 months and then approximately every 10 weeks). Divers also took photographs. The invertebrate and algae community present end of summer 2008 was compared to that of nearby natural bedrock reefs previously surveyed (number of sites unspecified).

(Summarised by: Anaëlle Lemasson & Laura Pettit)