An international team of scientists from the UK and Indonesia evaluated the impact of artificial coral reefs on marine ecosystems. They concluded that underwater inhabitants began to settle in man-made ones instead of natural corals. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Marine Biology.
The constant warming of the climate makes it difficult for natural coral reefs to survive. This affects communities of organisms that depend on corals as a source of protection and food.
To reduce the effects of natural reef loss, people are placing complex structures made of concrete and other materials on the bottom.
As scientists have found, artificial reefs in the tropics cannot yet completely replace natural reefs, but they can already imitate some of their basic functions and contribute to the emergence of healthy ecosystems.
Marine biologists measured phosphate levels in sand near concrete structures off the coast of Indonesia and then compared them to concentrations in water over a man-made reef. Phosphates are formed from fish waste. The results showed that the level of organic matter above the reef was significantly lower than on the ground. This indicates that the inhabitants of concrete structures absorb nutrients effectively.
The research offers hope that over time, artificial reefs may better mimic the processes supported by natural reefs. The results were an early sign that artificial reefs could support local communities affected by reef loss due to climate change.
Biologists before in the name With global warming, it is a major threat to corals.