How important are artificial reefs to the tourism industry? A review of the literature

European Journal of Tourism Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 38, P. 3813 - 3813

Published: Aug. 1, 2024

The main objective of the present study is to review published scientific literature related recreational or tourist activities and artificial reefs (AR). paper covers different geographical contexts determines relevance AR tourism. content analysis methodology in two parts: a protocol for reviewing containing words “artificial reef(s)” “tourism” four science portals, systematic objectives eligible literature. results highlight evolution trends production field tourism from 1991 2020. While number papers generally has been increasing last decade, there are still few covering show which countries produce more tourism, analytical methods used, focus, impact factor top ten countries, areas/categories knowledge covered, journals where published. This intends make connection between potential interest aroused industry.

Language: Английский

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Early-stage outcomes and cost-effectiveness of implementing tourism-led coral propagation and outplanting in the Whitsundays (Great Barrier Reef)

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: Oct. 4, 2024

Implementation of coral restoration practices within reef management strategies is accelerating globally to support resilience and recovery. However, full costs underpinning project feasibility have historically been underreported yet are critical informing cost-benefit decision-making. Such knowledge especially lacking for Australia’s Great Barrier Reef (GBR), where a program led by tourism operators, Coral Nurture Program (CNP), was initiated in 2018 (northern GBR) continues scale. Here we describe the early outcomes implementing similar tourism-led asexual propagation outplanting new region, Whitsundays (central through CNP. Specifically, detail local operational environmental context CNP Whitsundays, implementation continuation activities, as well evaluate survivorship outplants across three sites nine months after establishment (August 2022 June 2023). Baseline benthic surveys revealed relatively low hard cover at (ranging from 3.22-8.67%), which significantly differed composition collection 16.67-38.06%), supporting strong motivation operators undertake activities. Mean fate-tracked plots between 267 days 23.33-47.58%), with declines largely driven detachment. Early-stage cost-effectiveness (costs relative outplant survival) associated activity varied widely US$33.04-178.55 per surviving (n = 4,425 outplants) depending on whether ‘in-kind’ costs, (outplanting only vs. total encompassing planning monitoring), site-based survivorship, or combination these factors, were considered. As projects continue be established globally, our results highlight need ongoing, long-term monitoring that can inform adaptive practice, fully transparent cost-reporting understand improve any given project. We further inherent context-dependency importance considering social-environmental contexts their cost-benefits economic rationale projects.

Language: Английский

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Concrete evidence: outplanted corals for reef restoration do not need extended curing of ordinary Portland cement

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(12)

Published: Dec. 1, 2024

Artificial reefs for coral reef restoration are often concrete-based. After concrete is poured, it initially has a high surface pH (approx. 13), which neutralizes within several weeks. During this curing, colonization by marine microalgae delayed and also macrobenthos such as corals may be impacted. In study, we evaluated how curing time applied prior to the deployment of artificial affected performance. Fragments five species were outplanted onto ordinary Portland discs ( n = 10) that had been cured on land. Seven different periods applied, ranging from one day up four months. The with deployed at Kenyan photographed start end experiment. 1 year, cover increased declined one, but was unrelated time. Also, no effect seen development other common benthic organisms macroalgae or soft corals. We conclude unlikely have any long-term negative impacts performance therefore, extended attachment benefit efforts.

Language: Английский

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Negative effects by mineral accretion technique on the heat resilience, growth and recruitment of corals

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(12), P. e0315475 - e0315475

Published: Dec. 30, 2024

Restoration and artificial reefs can assist the recovery of degraded but are limited in scalability climate resilience. The Mineral Accretion Technique (MAT) subjects metal to a low-voltage electrical current, thereby creating calcium-carbonate coating. It has been suggested that corals on MAT structures experience enhanced health growth. However, prior studies report conflicting results potentially due different conditions, species approaches used. We investigated how influences bleaching resilience, condition growth four coral natural recruitment Kenya. Coral fragments were outplanted charged iron tables using commonly-applied settings (6 V; 0.84 A m -2 ). After one month, when all had acquired coating, half taken off electricity serve as controls. Both treatments (MAT Control) monitored brightness, (live tissue cover), for year, during which marine heatwave occurred. was significantly more severe studied species. For three species, dropped sharply this decline faster MAT. reduced remained low Control harboured 34 recruits, whereas none found Thus, while be useful prevent corrosion reefs, we do not recommend reported here improve growth, condition, heat resilience or recruitment.

Language: Английский

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Bringing Back Reef Fish: Sustainable Impacts of Community-Based Restoration of Elkhorn Coral (Acropora palmata) in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico (2008–2023)

Sustainability, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(14), P. 5985 - 5985

Published: July 12, 2024

In response to the severe fragmentation of Elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata (Lamarck, 1816), stands caused by a major winter swell (“Holy Swell”) in March 2008, an emergency community-based low-tech restoration was initiated Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. Over 15-year period, coral demographic performance and fish assemblages were monitored across four restored control (non-restored) 100 m2 plots. The effort proved be highly successful, leading successful survival growth, sustained recovery assemblages, particularly herbivore guilds. Significantly increased abundance, biomass, diversity observed all trophic functional groups, fishery target species, geo-ecological groups both These positive outcomes attributed enhanced spatial complexity long-term “nutrient hotspots” within plots, refugia effect from benthic complexity, dispersal paths promoting spillover effects adjacent non-restored areas. Restoring guilds played crucial role restoring vital ecological processes reef ecosystem resilience. Recommendations include integrating assemblage into strategies, establishing natural nursery plots for future sourcing, incorporating concept seascapes holistic ecosystem-based approach restoration.

Language: Английский

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