A global meta-analysis of ecological effects from offshore marine artificial structures

Nature Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 7(4), P. 485 - 495

Published: March 22, 2024

Abstract Marine artificial structures (MAS), including oil and gas installations (O&G) offshore wind farms (OWFs), have a finite operational period. Selecting the most suitable decommissioning options when reaching end-of-life remains challenge, in part because their effects are still largely undetermined. Whether decommissioned could act (sensu ‘function’) as reefs (ARs) provide desired ecological benefits is of particular interest. Here we use meta-analysis approach 531 effect sizes from 109 articles to assess MAS, comparing O&G OWFs shipwrecks ARs, with view inform decommissioning. This synthesis demonstrates that while MAS can bring benefits, important idiosyncrasies exist, differences emerging between types, habitat taxa metrics. Notably, find limited conclusive evidence would significant if ARs. We conclude aimed at repurposing into ARs may not intended benefits.

Language: Английский

---

Developing expert scientific consensus on the environmental and societal effects of marine artificial structures prior to decommissioning

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 352, P. 119897 - 119897

Published: Jan. 6, 2024

Thousands of artificial ('human-made') structures are present in the marine environment, many at or approaching end-of-life and requiring urgent decisions regarding their decommissioning. No consensus has been reached on which decommissioning option(s) result optimal environmental societal outcomes, part, owing to a paucity evidence from real-world case studies. To address this significant challenge, we asked worldwide panel scientists provide expert opinion. They were identify characterise ecosystem effects sea, causes consequences, which, if any, should be retained following Experts considered that most pressures driving ecological (MAS) medium severity, occur frequently, dependent spatial scale with local-scale greater magnitude than regional effects. The duration relatively short, order days. Overall, marginally undesirable, while desirable. therefore indicated any decision leave MAS place more beneficial society natural environment. However, some individual desirable worthy retention, especially certain geographic locations, where can support improved trophic linkages, increases tourism, habitat provision, population size, stability dynamics. analysis both negative positive for environment society, gives no strong policy change whether removal retention is favoured until further empirical available justify status quo. combination undesirable associated challenge policy- decision-makers justification implement options. Decisions may need decided case-by-case basis accounting trade-off costs benefits local level.

Language: Английский

---

Estimation of Artificial Reef Pose Based on Deep Learning

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12(5), P. 812 - 812

Published: May 13, 2024

Artificial reefs are man-made structures submerged in the ocean, and design of these plays a crucial role determining their effectiveness. Precisely measuring configuration artificial is vital for creating suitable habitats marine organisms. This study presents novel approach automated detection by recognizing key features points. Two enhanced models, namely, YOLOv8n-PoseRFSA YOLOv8n-PoseMSA, introduced based on YOLOv8n-Pose architecture. The model exhibits 2.3% increase accuracy pinpointing target points compared to baseline model, showcasing notable enhancements recall rate, mean average precision (mAP), other evaluation metrics. In response demand swift identification mobile fishing scenarios, YOLOv8n-PoseMSA proposed, leveraging MobileNetV3 replace backbone network structure. reduces computational burden 33% original while preserving recognition minimizing drop. methodology outlined this research enables real-time monitoring reef deployments, allowing precise quantification structural characteristics, thereby significantly enhancing efficiency convenience. By better assessing layout ecological impact, offers valuable data support future planning implementation projects.

Language: Английский

---

Reply to Zvuloni, A.; Shaked, Y. Comment on “Shashar et al. Artificial Reef Deployment Reduces Diving Pressure from Natural Reefs—The Case of Introductory Dives in Eilat, Red Sea. Oceans 2024, 5, 71–80”

Oceans, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6(2), P. 24 - 24

Published: April 28, 2025

In a recent study [...]

Language: Английский

---

Artificial Reef Deployment Reduces Diving Pressure from Natural Reefs—The Case of Introductory Dives in Eilat, Red Sea

Oceans, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 5(1), P. 71 - 80

Published: Feb. 7, 2024

Artificial reefs have been suggested as alternative dive sites to mitigate human pressure on natural reefs. Despite the conceptual appeal of artificial reefs, there is a paucity empirical evidence regarding their effectiveness in achieving this objective. Here, we report that small reef deployed adjacent local coral marine protected area caused shift routes taken by introductory dives and nearly eliminated visitations fringing within MPA. This behavioral among divers persisted for more than decade following AR deployment. These findings underscore efficacy well-designed appropriately located valuable instruments conservation

Language: Английский

---

Deciphering Preferences for Shelter Volume and Distribution by Coral Reef Fish, Using Systematic and Functional Grouping

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12(1), P. 186 - 186

Published: Jan. 19, 2024

Global degradation of coral reefs is reflected in the destruction shelters various environments and threatens stability marine ecosystems. Artificial offer an alternative, but their design could be more challenging due to limited knowledge regarding desired inhabitants’ shelter characteristics preferences. Investigating these preferences resource-intensive, particularly small that mimic natural reef conditions. Furthermore, for statistical analysis shelters, fish abundance may need higher. We propose a method characterize species-specific using low-volume data. During study conducted from January 2021 April 2022, round clay artificial (RAS) were deployed on abandoned oil pier examine community. recorded 92 species 30 families grouped them into systematic (families) functional (dietary group) classes. Grouping enabled us each group’s preference, while crossing group revealed preferences, which matched field observations. This approach proved effective profiling 17 having resources. These profiles later allow establishment ecological-oriented reefs. Moreover, this can applied other applications designs, sizes, research sites.

Language: Английский

---

Recreational value of different coral reefs richness levels in Oman

Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 46, P. 100775 - 100775

Published: May 18, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Effectiveness of artificial reefs in enhancing phytoplankton community dynamics: A meta-analysis

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 947, P. 174593 - 174593

Published: Oct. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

---

‘Tito’s ship has sunk, but it never sank’: using nostalgia in fabricating place authenticity

Journal of Heritage Tourism, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 15

Published: Oct. 2, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Reviving coral reef ecotourism through green insurance investments

Journal of Ecotourism, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 11

Published: Dec. 3, 2024

Coral reefs are a vital landscape for ecotourism though they remain precarious due to climate change and natural disasters. This research seeks elucidate insights as how green investments in the form of coral reef insurance conceptualized operationalized some parts world, where early innovators have been witnessed. Drawing from sentiment analysis 116 journal articles other gray literature (book chapters, industry reports, etc), findings suggest that while there is optimism towards use vehicle reviving ecotourism, remains skepticism lack willingness pay motivation world. Theoretical managerial implications future landscapes proposed.

Language: Английский

---