Artificial Reef Theory & Techniques

Artificial Reef Theory & Techniques

Artificial reefs have a wide range of uses in both coral reef restoration and problem mitigation. Artificial reefs (or structural restoration) can replace structure in disturbed areas, expand reef areas, provide alternative dive sites and diver training aids, or provide interesting art installations. Although they can be made simply, there is a lot of planning and theory behind any artificial reef instalment, and this course will give you the knowledge and skills you need to begin.

Prerequisites

  • Be 12 years of age or older
  • Be certified as an Advanced diver under a leading diving organization (PADI, SSI, RAID, etc) or an Open Water diver who has satisfactorily completed a buoyancy appraisal with a professional diver
  • Demonstrate proper diving ability at an advanced Level and be proficient in buoyancy and self-awareness
  • Complete the knowledge-building section of the Coral Restoration Theory and Techniques Course

Standards

  • Understand the use and applications of artificial reefs and the differences between different artificial reefs types and materials
  • Learn the practical standards and techniques for maintaining and monitoring artificial reefs
  • Be able to identify the threats/disturbance history to a coral reef area and decide if artificial reefs are necessary, and which type of structure to use.
  • Understand potential reasons for failure in artificial reef projects and the importance of proper planning and regular, long term maintenance.
  • Learn to design and build an artificial reef structure specific to a chosen location using local techniques and standards
  • Visit various artificial reefs that have been constructed from a range of materials and methods and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each type
  • Deploy an artificial reef and understand how to transplant corals onto the structure

Requirements

  • Attend the artificial reef knowledge development sessions (2) and complete the written exam
  • Construct and deploy an artificial reef structure
  • Attend 3 dive briefings
  • Perform 3 artificial reef dives (1) Maintenance and observation dive (2) monitoring and data Collection (3) deployment and attachment of coral from the coral nursery
  • Understand or practice at least 3 different transplanting techniques

Minimum course duration 10 hours

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Publications and Articles Related to this Course

Scientific Publications

Articles

by Chad Scott

Coral Restoration Theory & Techniques

Coral Restoration Theory & Techniques

Recent studies have found that about 50% of the world's coral reefs have already been lost, and the other 50% are highly threatened. The long running philosophy of “protection is always preferred over restoration” is a luxury which no longer applies to most regions. More and more, restoration is necessary to preserve the biodiversity and functionality of reefs, and to ensure the sustainability of the resources they provide.

Our reef restoration programs have evolved greatly since our first coral nursery in 2007. We take an ecosystem approach to restoration, which means that we take a holistic approach, focusing on the long-term sustainability and adaptability of the ecosystem rather then just trying to add more corals into areas where they will not survive. This approach has proven successful, as detailed in this 2020 independent analysis of our reef restoration techniques following more than 10 years of our concentrated efforts.

Our courses are on the cutting-edge of science-based coral restoration with a focus on genetics, adaptability, and resilience. We also adhere to the code of ethics as outlined by the Coral Restoration Consortium. Participants in our program will learn all of the theory and techniques behind coral reef restoration, as well as get hands on practice in these techniques. With almost 15 years of experience, we can ensure that everybody coming through our program will leave feeling knowledgeable enough to initiate programs of their own, and confident enough in their skills to carry those projects out to completion.

Coral Nursery

Our Coral Restoration Topics Include

  • Coral Gardening
  • Coral Fragment Collections
  • Coral Nursery construction, maintenance, and monitoring
  • Out-planting corals to the reef
  • Monitoring transplanted corals
  • Integration of beneficial organisms
  • Predator removal
  • How to take a genetic-based approach to reef restoration

https://youtu.be/dKmmAzzJRBg

Prerequisites

  • Be 12 years of age or older
  • Be certified as an Advanced diver under a leading diving organization (PADI, SSI, RAID, etc) or an Open Water diver who has satisfactorily completed a buoyancy appraisal with a professional diver
  • Demonstrate proper diving ability at an advanced Level and be proficient in buoyancy and self-awareness.
  • Be certified in the Ecological Monitoring Program

Standards

  • Understand the threats to coral reefs, the factors affecting coral growth, and the basics of coral reef restoration
  • Understand coral life cycles, the ecological differences between the asexual and sexual reproductive cycles in corals, and the importance of maintaining high biodiversity on the reef.
  • Understand the history and evolution of coral restoration techniques as well as local standards (do’s and don’ts)
  • Understand the theory behind the use of coral nurseries as well as the practical application of locally and internationally developed techniques
  • Perform the practical steps of building and maintaining a coral nursery
  • Perform a monitoring dive to take data on the health, growth, and diversity of a coral nursery

Requirements

  • Attend the coral nursery knowledge development session
  • Perform 2 practical dives either/or: Coral Nurseries - (1) collect coral fragments and secure to the nursery (2) perform maintenance and cleaning (3) collect data on growth rates, mortality, and diversity Coral Gardening - Re-secure at risk coral fragments either wedging or using epoxy or securing to benthic grids

Minimum course duration 12 hours

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Coral Restoration Related Readings

Coral restoration

by Chad Scott

Ecological Monitoring Program

Ecological Monitoring Program

The Ecological Monitoring program is designed to give students an introduction to coral reef ecology and how to view the reef scientifically by assessing key biotic and abiotic reef components. The course teaches students how to use real world scientific sampling and reef survey techniques and certifies them to conduct their own surveys and report data back to the online database. Parameters assessed include fish and invertebrate abundance and biodiversity, substrate cover, coral taxonomy, coral diseases, coral bleaching, and more. This course is a prerequisite for many of the other courses offered by Conservation Diver

https://youtu.be/S5FuBqUvikQ

Prerequisites

  • Be 12 years of age or older
  • Be certified as an Advanced diver under a leading diving organization (PADI, SSI, RAID, etc) or an Open Water diver who has satisfactorily completed a buoyancy appraisal with a professional diver
  • Demonstrate proper diving ability at an advanced Level and be proficient in buoyancy and self-awareness

Standards

  • Understand more about coral reef ecology and threats to coral reefs
  • Understand various survey techniques used by reef managers to monitor coral reef ecosystems
  • Learn the techniques and diagnostic features for identifying coral reef invertebrates along a permanent transect line
  • Learn the techniques and diagnostic features for identifying coral reef fishes and other vertebrates along a permanent transect line
  • Learn how to assess substrate types and hard coral coverage/growth forms using the point-intercept technique
  • Learn how to assess coral health and bleaching
  • Perform EMP surveys in several different areas and input the data into the database
  • Complete all 3 course exams

Requirements

  • Attend all knowledge development presentations
  • Complete the e-Learning or read and complete chapter reviews for chapters 1-8 in the EMP manual
  • Enter records into database
  • Perform all three surveys (invert., fish, and substrate) at least once
  • Perform a ‘full EMP’ at least once
  • Enter data onto data sheets or into the online database

Expected course time about 20 hours, minimum of 4 dives

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Related Resources

Note: This course has an accompanying textbook what come in a printed and electronic version available for purchase - Ecological Monitoring Program Manual


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Published Papers and reports related to this course

by Chad Scott