Together with local nature conservation organizations STENAPA and SCF, artificial reefs were placed to restore the ecosystem through "Building with Nature". Artificial reefs provide a direct increase in three-dimensional structure. They are increasingly used worldwide, but their effectiveness strongly depends on how well they account for local conditions and objectives. If the reefs function well, keystone species can recover, and coral can re-establish. The nature conservation organizations wanted to know how artificial reefs can optimally contribute to the restoration of the coral reef ecosystem at St. Eustatius and Saba.

What does the project deliver?

VHL, in collaboration with local partners, built various artificial reefs from local natural stone and concrete. The functionality of the different types of artificial reefs was determined by studying coral settlement and use of the artificial reefs by fish over two years.

The results of the AROSSTA project are described in three publications:

• Initial fish colonization:
  • Hylkema, A., Debrot, A. O., Osinga, R., Bron, P. S., Heesink, D. B., Izioka, A. K., ... & Murk, A. J. (2020). Fish assemblages of three common artificial reef designs during early colonization. Ecological Engineering, 157, 105994.
• Coral settlement and fish group interactions:
  • Hylkema, A., Debrot, A. O., Cammenga, R. A., van der Laan, P. M., Pistor, M., Murk, A. J., & Osinga, R. (2023). The effect of artificial reef design on the attraction of herbivorous fish and on coral recruitment, survival and growth. Ecological Engineering, 188, 106882.
• Finally, we mapped whether artificial reefs in the Caribbean are adequately protected. They were not, and many artificial reefs remain heavily fished:
  • Hylkema, A., Hakkaart, Q. C., Reid, C. B., Osinga, R., Murk, A. J., & Debrot, A. O. (2021). Artificial reefs in the Caribbean: a need for comprehensive monitoring and integration into marine management plans.Ocean & Coastal Management, 209, 105672.

Based on the results, the researchers developed a new type of artificial reef, the Modular Restoration Reef, Moreef (www.moreef.com).

More information about artificial reef research? Contact associate professor Alwin Hylkema, Alwin.hylkema@hvhl.nl

What does the project deliver?

To this end, different types of artificial reefs have been built from local natural stone and commonly used "reef balls". The functionality of the different types of artificial reefs will be determined by studying the settlement of sea urchins, fish and coral for a year and a half and comparing this data with the natural coral reef.

At the end of this project, it will be clear which type of artificial reef is most suitable for both research sites.

In addition, the effect of the material used and the provision of additional shelters on the function of artificial reefs will become clear.

Finally, insight is given into the extent to which artificial reefs contribute to the restoration of adjacent areas.

Because the study is being conducted at two sites, with contrasting conditions, the results will be of regional importance in helping existing and future artificial reefs function optimally. The AROSSTA project brings the possibility of effectively restoring coral reef ecosystems a significant step closer.

Second prize RAAK Awards in 2018

Project AROSSTA won the second prize of the RAAK Awards at the SIA Congress 2018. National Regieorgaan SIA, part of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), wants to use the award to promote the awareness and quality of practice-based research by universities of applied sciences.

First prize RAAK Awards for project Diadema in 2023

The RAAK research project Diadema of Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences has won the RAAK Award 2023 and the accompanying grand prize of €10,000. The research has brought together and developed a lot of knowledge to come up with 2 methods that contribute to coral reef conservation in the Caribbean. In the Diadema project, the researchers, led by Alwin Hylkema, worked closely with local conservation organisations St Eustatius National Parks and Saba Conservation Foundation. These organisations were looking for interventions to restore sea urchin populations. The found a way to successfully breed sea urchins. The project group also developed bioballs that provide sea urchins with a place to grow up safely.Sea urchins graze the coral, preventing harmful algae from overgrowing the coral.

Downloads

• Fish assemblages of three common artificial reef designs during early colonization
• Bionews: Designing the optimal artificial reef
• Kick-off projects to restore nature on St. Eustatius (EN) (pdf - 879kB)
• Artificial reefs on Saba and Statia June 2017, Reefs are being deployed (pdf - 691kB)
• Article New Scientist
• Article Bionews (pdf - 1,2MB)

Project details

Associate Professor: Alwin Hylkema, Coastal Ecosystem Restoration
Duration: ongoing
Project partners: SIA, STENAPA en SCF

Contact

Want to know more about AROSSTA? Get in touch with alwin.hylkema@hvhl.nl.