Migrating reefs, unprecedented species assemblages, neophytes, toxicities, pollutants, aquatic ruins – The future of coral reefs in the Anthropocene is likely to look different from anything we have experienced so far. While the classic conservation debate on coral reef restoration still treats these ecosystems as “sick patients,” a radically different view of convivial conservation is beginning to challenge exclusive human control over these endangered habitats. Putting aside notions of natural “purity” and adopting a much more humble and highly interconnected perspective on marine habitats, we can begin to see reefs as transformative, sympoïetic and blasted seascapes for a convivial future. The discipline of biodesign has been primarily focussed on researching ecological relationships with regard to new materials and products. The emerging interest in shaping the multi-layered ecological relationships of habitats for other-than-human lives, however, is steering design practice towards terraforming or, in the case of marine environments, “aquaforming.” This paper argues for taking convivial conservation practices in marine environments as a starting point for the development of a new design methodology that focuses on the design of living systems in open environments: a proposed methodology called Sympoïetic Design.

Surface physical properties, hydrodynamics, biochemical cues, orientation and temporal scales play an important role in invertebrate larval recruitment on artificial substrates. In the present study, invertebrate recruitment on four different substrates (acrylic, stainless steel, ceramic and concrete panels) was investigated in two different orientations (vertical and horizontal) in the central Red Sea. Results showed significant variations in the abundance of benthic invertebrates between the different substrates. While barnacles and bivalves preferred panels placed in vertical positions, the abundance of bryozoans was high on horizontal panels. Artificial panel submersion season plays a significant role in the recruitment of benthic invertebrates on surfaces in the Red Sea. In conclusion, this study supports the overall notion that marine invertebrate recruitment on hard substrates is regulated by a combination of factors which include substrate type, orientation and submersion season.

The analyses presented in this paper provide evidence that several community metrics and indicators of the inner shelf community in the Cantabrian Sea show response to placement of anti-trawling reefs. Total biomass, species richness, and to a lesser extent, maximum length and percentage of large fish, were sensitive to exclusion of trawling. Density, diversity and average trophic level did not show this sensitivity. The main species profiting from trawl exclusion were seabreams (Sparidae), catsharks and skates (Elasmobranchii), red mullets (Mullidae), gurnards (Triglidae) and John Dory (Zeus faber). Conversely, the main fishery target species (hake, anglerfish and megrim) showed a progressive decrease in abundance during the study period, a pattern which was also shown by their total stock biomass in the totality of the shelf area. Sea urchins, cephalopods and gastropods also increased in relative abundance with trawl exclusion. Reef age was identified as a key factor in reef development. After reef deployments, two periods were identified: (1) a recovery period, in which total biomass increased, mainly as a consequence of the increase in generalist species (e.g. catsharks); and (2) a consolidation period, during which biomass increased again, mainly as a consequence of an increase in specialized stenoic species (e.g. sparids), while biomass of generalist species remained constant or declined.

Inshore marine areas host key habitats for the biological cycle of many marine populations, but are subject to strong anthropogenic pressure. Uses of inshore areas are multiple and often give rise to conflicting interests. In this context, marine protected areas (MPAs) and artificial reefs (ARs) are increasingly regarded as interesting management measures, in that they contribute to ecosystem conservation, fisheries sustainability, and because they can be helpful in zoning coastal areas in order to reduce conflicts between users. Beyond these expected benefits, it is important to appraise whether MPAs and ARs meet managers' objectives. This review focuses on the interaction between ecological sciences and management in the purpose of establishing or monitoring MPAs and ARs. We first study how objectives have to be formalized through management plans, and which kinds of information need to be collected in this respect. We then report management objectives related to MPAs and ARs, and list corresponding observed effects. Finally, we discuss the present role of monitoring and scientific research in the management process and propose a few perspectives for scientific research.