Sunken ships, oil rigs, lighthouses, bridges and even rubber tires can all function as artificial reefs. These are human-made structures designed to mimic the characteristics of natural reefs. These reefs are often built using materials like concrete, metal, or old ships and are placed in oceans to promote marine life. Just as natural reefs provide shelter and food for aquatic organisms, artificial reefs create habitats that support the growth of corals, fish, and other marine life. By encouraging biodiversity, they help restore damaged ecosystems, prevent coastal erosion, and support fisheries. This promotion of biodiversity is seen as a huge benefit; however, artificial reefs come with a huge yet unseen cost.
These ecosystem communities that thrive in these artificial reefs are actually a huge threat to our oceans. Studies in the Gulf of Mexico have observed invasive invertebrates, like coral, mussels, and jellyfish, colonizing artificial reefs and oil platforms. Invasive species pose a threat to native marine life, as seen in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, where invasive coral has led to tissue necrosis (damage) in native corals. Beyond ecological harm, invasive species also have a significant economic impact, with damages in the U.S. exceeding $120 billion annually, according to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report.
Additionally, I conducted research in my local community regarding the Biodiversity in Human Made vs Natural Ponds. We found that the natural pond had less biodiversity than the artificial pond. Multiple studies actually suggest this is due to artificial habitats’ status as untouched and undeveloped. Without an established ecosystem invasive species can easily thrive without predators.
For this topic’s relation to AP Biology, I look at the endosymbiotic theory. This theory is one that states organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts were their own organisms before joining into animal and plant cells. This theory is supported by the mitochondria and chloroplasts’ double membrane, DNA, and ability to self replicate. It is said that these organelles showed up in the cell and had a symbiotic relationship with it. This is similar to how invasive species join their new artificial ecosystems. Just how the mitochondria joins a cell to create a proper cell respiration site: without an established ecosystem , these invasive corals settle into artificial reefs. While oil rigs can potentially be converted into artificial reefs, it is important to ensure they benefit marine ecosystems rather than contribute to their degradation, a concern environmental groups continue to raise.
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Hi Vedochondria! I am an avid fisherman so reading about artificial reefs peeked my interest. I loved how you incorporated your own research into your blog post; I find that pretty cool. I understand your point about the possibly negative effects artificial reefs can have on an ecosystem. However, artificial reefs are often created due to the destruction or lack of natural reefs, or because of a depleted fishery caused by overfishing. Artificial reefs often simply take the place of natural ones after climate change or other circumstances deplete an ecosystem of their natural occurrence. If this is the case, are the artificial reefs to blame for the negative effects they bring or are climate change and other factors more logical things to point fingers at for the cause of invasive species’ growing ubiquity? Artificial reefs do have their benefits, many pointed out in this article (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR450). A question I have is that you mentioned in your post how increased biodiversity could be a bad thing, but is that only when the biodiversity comes from invasive species, or are there other instances in which biodiversity negatively impacts an ecosystem? As a fisherman who enjoys using artificial reefs, I may have some bias towards there unanimous adoption as beneficial to the environment. No matter, I enjoyed indulging this post. Thanks, Vedochondria.