Diving into Artificial Reef Design - A synthesis of restoration projects for application in the Baltic Sea
(2025) FMIM01 20242Environmental and Energy Systems Studies
- Abstract
- The marine environment faces significant changes due to anthropogenic activities, with urbanisation and "marine sprawl" introducing artificial structures that disrupt natural ecosystems. Artificial reefs (AR) and nature-inclusive design offer solutions to enhance habitat complexity and foster ecological restoration. This thesis investigates how AR design and material properties can support biodiversity in the Baltic Sea, a region with unique environmental conditions.
The research used a two-pronged approach: a literature review and an observational analysis. The review analysed global AR studies to identify design and material features that influence biodiversity, while the observational study evaluated colonisation on steel, concrete,... (More) - The marine environment faces significant changes due to anthropogenic activities, with urbanisation and "marine sprawl" introducing artificial structures that disrupt natural ecosystems. Artificial reefs (AR) and nature-inclusive design offer solutions to enhance habitat complexity and foster ecological restoration. This thesis investigates how AR design and material properties can support biodiversity in the Baltic Sea, a region with unique environmental conditions.
The research used a two-pronged approach: a literature review and an observational analysis. The review analysed global AR studies to identify design and material features that influence biodiversity, while the observational study evaluated colonisation on steel, concrete, and wood ARs in the Åland archipelago. Results highlighted the positive relation of habitat complexity and biodiversity as well as the importance of key design features such as cavities, crevices, and vertical reliefs as sanctuaries for mobile fauna. The choice of material greatly affects key properties, including surface roughness, porosity, and pH-neutrality which can determine the rate of colonisation. Observational findings showed higher species biomass on shaded surfaces and a surprising affinity for bark-covered wood. For the Baltic Sea, AR designs should cater to key species like blue mussels, macro algae and cod by incorporating varied substrates and covering different depth gradients to account for salinity and light conditions. Materials such as wood show promise due to their ecological benefits and adaptability. Future additions of wood structures on anthropogenic surfaces offer a practical strategy to enhance biodiversity while supporting sustainable and cost-effective AR deployment.
Although ARs alone cannot resolve all ecological challenges, they complement broader conservation efforts such as no-take zones and sustainable fishing practices. By increasing habitat complexity and creating local ecological refuges, ARs have the potential to support ecosystem restoration in the Baltic Sea and beyond. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9187515
- author
- Bergendahl, Alexander LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- FMIM01 20242
- year
- 2025
- type
- H3 - Professional qualifications (4 Years - )
- subject
- keywords
- artificial reefs, reef design, reef material, nature-inclusive design, restoration, Baltic Sea
- report number
- LUTFD2/TFEM—25/5225--SE + (1-52)
- ISSN
- 1102-3651
- language
- English
- id
- 9187515
- date added to LUP
- 2025-04-09 10:39:47
- date last changed
- 2025-04-09 10:39:47
@misc{9187515,
abstract = {{The marine environment faces significant changes due to anthropogenic activities, with urbanisation and "marine sprawl" introducing artificial structures that disrupt natural ecosystems. Artificial reefs (AR) and nature-inclusive design offer solutions to enhance habitat complexity and foster ecological restoration. This thesis investigates how AR design and material properties can support biodiversity in the Baltic Sea, a region with unique environmental conditions.
The research used a two-pronged approach: a literature review and an observational analysis. The review analysed global AR studies to identify design and material features that influence biodiversity, while the observational study evaluated colonisation on steel, concrete, and wood ARs in the Åland archipelago. Results highlighted the positive relation of habitat complexity and biodiversity as well as the importance of key design features such as cavities, crevices, and vertical reliefs as sanctuaries for mobile fauna. The choice of material greatly affects key properties, including surface roughness, porosity, and pH-neutrality which can determine the rate of colonisation. Observational findings showed higher species biomass on shaded surfaces and a surprising affinity for bark-covered wood. For the Baltic Sea, AR designs should cater to key species like blue mussels, macro algae and cod by incorporating varied substrates and covering different depth gradients to account for salinity and light conditions. Materials such as wood show promise due to their ecological benefits and adaptability. Future additions of wood structures on anthropogenic surfaces offer a practical strategy to enhance biodiversity while supporting sustainable and cost-effective AR deployment.
Although ARs alone cannot resolve all ecological challenges, they complement broader conservation efforts such as no-take zones and sustainable fishing practices. By increasing habitat complexity and creating local ecological refuges, ARs have the potential to support ecosystem restoration in the Baltic Sea and beyond.}},
author = {{Bergendahl, Alexander}},
issn = {{1102-3651}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Diving into Artificial Reef Design - A synthesis of restoration projects for application in the Baltic Sea}},
year = {{2025}},
}