Coral reefs are a key ocean ecosystem, but the consequences of climate change over the last few decades have left many of them completely decimated.
Many activists and companies are actively working to reverse damage and rebuild coral reefs. Let’s take a look at some of those efforts!
Ecoblox
The National Science Foundation introduced the Ecoblox Seawall Project, which aims to address marine biodiversity loss. Ecoblox utilizes an interlocking system of concrete shapes to transform seawalls into new coral reefs. The blocks are made with a 3d printer and made to mimic natural reef environments with different surface patterns. There are currently 10 distinct shapes, which can all be interlocked together to cover entire shoreside surfaces.
These blocks are not only being used to grow coral, but also to provide microhabitats for other marine organisms, including oysters, barnacles, and sponges. The versatility of these blocks allows them to be placed on both new and existing surfaces. When added to existing concrete walls near shorelines, they can also help limit erosion of those surfaces by breaking up wave energy. Ecobloxs are currently being tested across Florida’s Biscayne Bay in the US.
Reef Cubes
Reef cubes are large hollow blocks made from concrete, sand, and gravel that are placed directly onto the ocean floor. Unlike many similar ecobricks being used to rebuild coral reefs on the seabed, Reef Cubes are plastic-free, ensuring that no additional microplastics are introduced into the marine ecosystem when the blocks erode over time.
Just like Ecobloxs, these cubes are able to interlock and be stacked on top of each other to allow for variety. The location and shape of these cubes also allow them to be used as nursing and spawning grounds for many aquatic species like fish, lobsters, and crabs.
Both these projects and many others, such as ReefStarter, Coral Arks, and Underwater Sculpture Parks, use environmentally conscious materials to promote the growth of coral reefs. By focusing on interlocking designs, these projects ensure that their technology can be implemented anywhere in the world.
Coral reefs are one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet, with over 25% of all marine species calling them home. Furthermore, coral reefs protect shorelines from erosion and flooding by acting as natural barriers that absorb wave energy.
These ecosystems will remain in critical condition if nothing is done to protect and rebuild them. These projects are an important step forward, and hopefully, more will follow.
