The global extent of marine artificial structures is on the rise. These structures, which range from oil and gas platforms to shipwrecks, introduce artificial habitat to the seafloor, water column, and above the surface. These habitats typically function differently than the natural habitats that they replace and thus generate “artificial reef effects”: the suite of ecosystem processes, manifested through the biotic community that develops on and around these structures, that contributes to ecological, physical, social and economic outcomes. Better understanding is needed of how these structures affect the marine ecosystems in which they are installed and of the potential consequences for both ecosystem services and human activity.
This session explores how insights on marine artificial structures can inform evidence-based resource management decisions. There are three core objectives, each with a dedicated subsession.
- Evaluate current evidence on environmental effects of marine artificial structures across ecological (species to ecosystem levels), physical (hydrodynamics, nutrient cycling), and socioeconomic (economic value, safety, cultural) dimensions.
- Identify global environmental challenges and evidence gaps, discussing marine artificial structures in the context of renewable energy, nature recovery, decommissioning, and fisheries management policies.
- Workshop to synthesize evidence on environmental effects and develop recommendations for future research and decision-making across the lifecycle of marine artificial structures.
