A centuries-old manmade reef in the Caribbean does not substitute natural reefs in terms of species assemblages and interspecific competition

Contrasting coral community structures between natural and artificial substrates at Koh Tao, Gulf of Thailand

“…In the latter case however, the same authors also highlight significant differences in community structure between well-established artificial reefs (<25 years) made of the same substrates, and those of nearby natural reef sites (Burt et al, 2009b). Similarly, other studies (Perkol-Finkel and Benayahu, 2004;Blakeway et al, 2013;Hill et al, 2021) were able to compare coral communities between natural reefs and recruits on artificial substrates, finding dramatic differences in their composition with several groups being better represented on one substrate type over the other. Coral recruitment on reefs at Koh Tao has recently been assessed (Hein et al, 2020) where juvenile coral counts were carried out at restored sites (i.e.…”

“…Cubic frames and other artificial substrates are a commonly used tool for conservation efforts in Thai waters and beyond (Jankusol, 2004;Kheawwongjan and Kim, 2012;Kantavichai et al, 2019). Increasingly, coral community structures on artificial substrates are being recognised as ecologically and functionally distinct from natural reefs, and should not be considered as a replacement for natural reefs (Burt et al, 2009b;Hill et al, 2021). The mechanisms defining coral community structures and their resulting succession are in need of further exploration if conservation and restoration efforts are to be employed successfully (Bridge et al, 2020).…”

“…Many such substrates have also been used in the construction of artificial reefs, some of which in turn have been used in the study of coral recruitment (Ng et al, 2017;Higgins et al, 2019;Subhan et al, 2019). However, there is growing evidence for significant divergences in the community structure of corals recruiting onto artificial reefs, and those of nearby natural reefs (Budd and Pandolfi, 2010;Kramer et al, 2019;Hill et al, 2021). The need for detailed comparisons of species assemblages between artificial and natural reefs to assess the impact of artificial reefs has been highlighted repeatedly over the years (Carr and Hixon, 1997;Perkol-Finkel and Benayahu, 2004;Blakeway et al, 2013;Hill et al, 2021).…”

Same but different? Zoantharian assemblages (Anthozoa: Hexacorallia) in Bonaire and Curaçao, southern Caribbean

“…The identification of most Caribbean zoantharian species is possible from external appearances and the identity of associated host species (if present), which has been confirmed with molecular analyses (West 1979;Lewis 1982;Swain and Wulff 2006;Swain 2012;Montenegro et al 2020). From past ecological research, it is known that some Caribbean zoantharian species play a dominant role in the competition for space with scleractinian corals and other benthic reef invertebrates (e.g., Palythoa caribaeorum) (Suchanek and Green 1981;Bastidas and Bone 1996;Ladd et al 2019;Hoeksema et al 2020;Hill et al 2021). However, most zoantharian ecological research in the Caribbean has remained limited to shallow waters (depths \ 10 m) and primarily focused on the zooxanthellate genera Palythoa and Zoanthus (e.g., Belford and Phillip 2012, but see Swain 2012).…”

Editorial: Biogenic Reefs at Risk: Facing Globally Widespread Local Threats and Their Interaction With Climate Change

“…Coastal development and coastal defense around the world are undergoing to a profound paradigm shift, passing from large concrete structures to nature-based solutions, including the application of new eco-friendly materials and shapes (Airoldi et al, 2021;Sella et al, 2021) that can favor the settlement of local species and, over time, the restoration of coastal biogenic reefs, such as coral reef and oyster beds. A better understanding of the effectiveness of such manmade structures would require more long-term research comparing the development of their communities with that of adjacent biogenic reefs (Perkol-Finkel et al, 2006;Hill et al, 2021;Monchanin et al, 2021).…”