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Artificial reef footprint in the United States ocean

Author

Listed:
  • Avery B. Paxton

    (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

  • D’amy N. Steward

    (Duke University
    University of Guam Marine Laboratory, UOG Station)

  • Keith J. Mille

    (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)

  • Jeffrey Renchen

    (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)

  • Zachary H. Harrison

    (North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality)

  • Jordan S. Byrum

    (North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality)

  • Cameron Brinton

    (Georgia Department of Natural Resources)

  • Alicia Nelson

    (Virginia Marine Resources Commission)

  • Ethan Simpson

    (Virginia Marine Resources Commission)

  • Peter J. Clarke

    (New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection)

  • Christopher LaPorta

    (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation)

  • Patrick D. Barrett

    (Rhode Island Division of Marine Fisheries, Rhode Island Division of Marine Fisheries, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management)

  • Mark Rousseau

    (Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, Annisquam River Station)

  • D. Craig Newton

    (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources)

  • Russell B. Rigby

    (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources)

  • D. Travis Williams

    (Mississippi Department of Marine Resources)

  • J. Brooke Shipley

    (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
    San Jacinto College District – Central Campus)

  • Paul Murakawa

    (Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources)

  • Brendan J. Runde

    (The Nature Conservancy)

  • Kenneth L. Riley

    (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

  • Nathan M. Bacheler

    (National Marine Fisheries Service)

  • G. Todd Kellison

    (National Marine Fisheries Service)

  • J. Christopher Taylor

    (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Abstract

Marine ecosystem declines have spurred global efforts to restore degraded habitats, manage marine life and enhance recreation opportunities by installing built structures called artificial reefs in seascapes. Evidence suggests that artificial reefs generate ecosystem services and risks, yet a fundamental ecological characteristic—the area of seafloor occupied by these constructed reefs—remains poorly quantified. Here we calculate the physical footprint (seafloor extent) of artificial reefs in the US ocean using spatial data from all 17 US coastal states with ocean reefing programmes. Our synthesis revealed that purposely sunk reef structures such as ships and concrete pipes occupy 19.23 km2 of the ocean through 2020. Over the past five decades (1970–2020), the intentional reef footprint increased 20.85-fold (~1,980%), but this rate of increase slowed in the past decade (2010–2020) to 1.12-fold (~12%). These baseline findings will inform sustainable use of built marine infrastructure and generation of ecological functions.

Suggested Citation

  • Avery B. Paxton & D’amy N. Steward & Keith J. Mille & Jeffrey Renchen & Zachary H. Harrison & Jordan S. Byrum & Cameron Brinton & Alicia Nelson & Ethan Simpson & Peter J. Clarke & Christopher LaPorta , 2024. "Artificial reef footprint in the United States ocean," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 7(2), pages 140-147, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:7:y:2024:i:2:d:10.1038_s41893-023-01258-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-023-01258-7
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