Artificial Reefs

Reef Basics

100

These man-made structures are placed on the seafloor to mimic natural reef environments.

artificial reefs

200

Artificial reefs can be made from these three materials

Concrete, steel, and sunken ships

300

This is the primary purpose of artificial reefs in terms of marine life

to provide habitat for marine life

400

Artificial reefs can serve this coastal protection function.

protecting coastlines from erosion

Construction

100

This is the first phase in constructing an artificial reef, involving site selection

planning phase

200

This process involves removing hazardous materials before deploying artificial reef structures

material preparation

300

This term describes the act of carefully lowering structures to the seafloor

deployment

400

This ongoing process ensures the stability and effectiveness of artificial reefs after installation

monitoring

Ecological Impact

100

Artificial reefs help increase this measure of species richness in an ecosystem

biodiversity

200

This industry benefits from the boost in fish populations around artificial reefs

fisheries

300

Artificial reefs can promote the growth of these organisms, aiding in reef restoration

corals

400

Besides ecological benefits, artificial reefs enhance these two recreational activities

diving and fishing

Marine Science

100

This is one method scientists use to count fish populations around artificial reefs

visual surveys by divers

200

This technology uses sound waves to survey fish populations around artificial reefs

sonar

300

Scientists collect this type of data both before and after reef installation to measure impact.

fish population data

400

In long-term studies, artificial reefs showed higher levels of this compared to natural reefs.

fish diversity

Real-World

100

This bay in Queensland, Australia has had multiple artificial reef sites installed since 2008.

Moreton Bay

200

Two years after installation, Moreton Bay artificial reefs showed this percentage increase in fish abundance.

70%

300

Some of these, acting as artificial reefs, have been studied after being underwater for over a century.

shipwrecks

400

This emerging technology is being explored for creating more complex artificial reef structures.

3D Printing