International Journal of Marine Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 29-39 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ijms 29 Research Article Open Access Marine Ecosystem Restoring by High-Complexity Artificial Reefs (HCAR) Fernando Condal Domingo Institut Angeleta Ferrer i Sensat, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, c/Granollers 43, 08173 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain Corresponding author email: fernandocondal@gmail.com International Journal of Marine Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.1, doi: 10.5376/ijms.2024.14.0005 Received: 13 Mar., 2024 Accepted: 21 Mar., 2024 Published: 02 Apr., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Condal, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Condal F., 2024, Marine ecosystem restoring by high-complexity artificial reefs (HCAR), International Journal of Marine Science, 14(1): 29-39 (doi: 10.5376/ijms.2024.14.0005) Abstract The establishment of a High-Complexity Artificial Reef (HCAR) along the Catalan coast in Spain prompted an investigation into the ecological rehabilitation of coastal ecosystems in the Western Mediterranean region. This study monitored marine succession by examining fish assemblage descriptors across seasons. Employing scuba diver video image analysis, we documented the emergence and evolution of HCAR structures from October to July. This analysis facilitated species identification, fish abundance quantification, and the assessment of the Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index at 5-second video intervals. The observed species primarily belonged to characteristic taxa of the western Mediterranean, with Pomadacys incisus (45.7%), Cromis chromis (26.9%), and Diplodus vulgaris (18.8%) among the frequently encountered species. Both fish abundance and the Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index exhibited an increasing trend over time, suggesting progressive ecosystem succession, notably during the spring-summer period. These findings highlight the potential of novel artificial reef designs to foster fish population growth and enhance biodiversity. However, to comprehensively assess the long-term stability and potential of HCAR, extended monitoring periods are imperative. In conclusion, this study underscores the positive influence of high-complexity artificial reefs on marine succession. It emphasizes the necessity for prolonged monitoring to elucidate their sustained impact on coastal ecosystems. Keywords Video-image analysis; Fish community; High-complexity artificial reefs; Pomadasys incisus; Chromis chromis; Diplodus vulgaris Marine ecosystems are crucial sources of resources and services for humans, yet they face severe degradation due to human-induced factors such as overfishing and coastal development. This human encroachment has predominantly occurred along marine coasts, marking the forefront of extensive anthropogenic influence. To counteract these declines, there has been a heightened focus on marine restoration endeavours in recent decades, motivated by concerns encompassing social, economic, and governmental management, aiming to reinstate and sustain healthy marine ecosystems (Pitcher and Seaman, 2000; Claudet and Pelletier, 2004; Carpenter et al., 2006; Montoya et al., 2006). Shallow coastal areas stand as pivotal environments necessitating restoration efforts, essential for rectifying disturbances resulting from human activities (Bayle-Sempere et al., 2001; Charbonnel et al., 2002; Moreno, 2002; Seaman, 2007). Understanding seasonal variations in fish abundance is imperative for effective environmental monitoring (Willis et al., 2000). However, fish stocks exhibit variability across temporal and spatial scales due to animals’ behavioural responses to habitat alterations and natural succession. Accurate evaluation of these fluctuations is critical for management strategies, such as establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and deploying Artificial Reef Structures (Willis et al., 2000; Harmelin-Vivien et al., 2008; Condal et al., 2012; 2020). Recent decades have witnessed substantial efforts in deploying innovative Artificial Reefs (ARs) for biological and habitat restoration across diverse marine environments globally (Relini et al., 2002a; 2002b; Jensen, 2002; Claudet and Pelletier, 2004; Seaman, 2007; Koeck et al., 2011; 2014; Layman and Allgeier, 2020; Ramm et al., 2021; Vivier et al., 2021). Utilization of underwater video cameras in marine science has facilitated visual censuses, enabling the assessment of species’ populations and overall biodiversity at varying temporal and spatial
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