Vertical arrays of artificial rockpools on a seawall provide refugia across tidal levels for intertidal species in the UK

Authors: Bone, J.R., Stafford, R., Hall, A.E. and Herbert, R.J.H.

Journal: Science of the Total Environment

Volume: 951

eISSN: 1879-1026

ISSN: 0048-9697

DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175528

Abstract:

Eco-engineering of coastal infrastructure aims to address the insufficient intertidal habitat provided by coastal development and flood defence. There are numerous ways to enhance coastal infrastructure with habitat features, but a common method involves retrofitting artificial rockpools. Often these are ‘bolt-on’ units that are fixed to existing coastal infrastructure but there is a paucity of literature on how to optimise their arrangement for biodiversity. In this study, 24 artificial rockpools were installed at three levels between High Water Neaps and Mean Tide Level on a vertical concrete seawall on the south coast of the UK. The species abundance of the rockpools and adjacent seawall were surveyed at low tide for 2 years following rockpool installation and compared. Over the course of the study, sediment had begun to accumulate in some of the rockpools. At the 2-year mark, the sediment was removed and assessed for macrofauna. Algal biomass of the seawall and rockpools was estimated using previously obtained dry weight values for the dominant algae taxa. After 2 years, it was determined that artificial rockpools successfully increase species richness of seawalls, particularly at higher tidal levels where water-retaining refugia are crucial for many species. The rockpools hosted 37 sessile taxa and 9 sessile taxa were recorded on the seawall. Rockpools increased the vertical elevation for brown canopy-forming seaweeds by providing better attachment surfaces. Although the retained sediment only hosted 3 infaunal species, it was observed to provide shelter for shore crabs during surveys. As sea levels and ocean and air temperatures continue to rise, vertical eco-engineering arrangements will play a crucial role in allowing species to migrate up the tidal zone, negating habitat loss and localised extinction.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/40252/

Source: Scopus

Vertical arrays of artificial rockpools on a seawall provide refugia across tidal levels for intertidal species in the UK.

Authors: Bone, J.R., Stafford, R., Hall, A.E. and Herbert, R.J.H.

Journal: Sci Total Environ

Volume: 951

Pages: 175528

eISSN: 1879-1026

DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175528

Abstract:

Eco-engineering of coastal infrastructure aims to address the insufficient intertidal habitat provided by coastal development and flood defence. There are numerous ways to enhance coastal infrastructure with habitat features, but a common method involves retrofitting artificial rockpools. Often these are 'bolt-on' units that are fixed to existing coastal infrastructure but there is a paucity of literature on how to optimise their arrangement for biodiversity. In this study, 24 artificial rockpools were installed at three levels between High Water Neaps and Mean Tide Level on a vertical concrete seawall on the south coast of the UK. The species abundance of the rockpools and adjacent seawall were surveyed at low tide for 2 years following rockpool installation and compared. Over the course of the study, sediment had begun to accumulate in some of the rockpools. At the 2-year mark, the sediment was removed and assessed for macrofauna. Algal biomass of the seawall and rockpools was estimated using previously obtained dry weight values for the dominant algae taxa. After 2 years, it was determined that artificial rockpools successfully increase species richness of seawalls, particularly at higher tidal levels where water-retaining refugia are crucial for many species. The rockpools hosted 37 sessile taxa and 9 sessile taxa were recorded on the seawall. Rockpools increased the vertical elevation for brown canopy-forming seaweeds by providing better attachment surfaces. Although the retained sediment only hosted 3 infaunal species, it was observed to provide shelter for shore crabs during surveys. As sea levels and ocean and air temperatures continue to rise, vertical eco-engineering arrangements will play a crucial role in allowing species to migrate up the tidal zone, negating habitat loss and localised extinction.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/40252/

Source: PubMed

Vertical arrays of artificial rockpools on a seawall provide refugia across tidal levels for intertidal species in the UK

Authors: Bone, J.R., Stafford, R., Hall, A.E. and Herbert, R.J.H.

Journal: SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT

Volume: 951

eISSN: 1879-1026

ISSN: 0048-9697

DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175528

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/40252/

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Vertical arrays of artificial rockpools on a seawall provide refugia across tidal levels for intertidal species in the UK

Authors: Bone, J., Stafford, R., Hall, A. and Herbert, R.

Journal: Science of the Total Environment

Volume: 951

Publisher: Elsevier

ISSN: 0048-9697

DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175528

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/40252/

Source: Manual

Vertical arrays of artificial rockpools on a seawall provide refugia across tidal levels for intertidal species in the UK.

Authors: Bone, J.R., Stafford, R., Hall, A.E. and Herbert, R.J.H.

Journal: The Science of the total environment

Volume: 951

Pages: 175528

eISSN: 1879-1026

ISSN: 0048-9697

DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175528

Abstract:

Eco-engineering of coastal infrastructure aims to address the insufficient intertidal habitat provided by coastal development and flood defence. There are numerous ways to enhance coastal infrastructure with habitat features, but a common method involves retrofitting artificial rockpools. Often these are 'bolt-on' units that are fixed to existing coastal infrastructure but there is a paucity of literature on how to optimise their arrangement for biodiversity. In this study, 24 artificial rockpools were installed at three levels between High Water Neaps and Mean Tide Level on a vertical concrete seawall on the south coast of the UK. The species abundance of the rockpools and adjacent seawall were surveyed at low tide for 2 years following rockpool installation and compared. Over the course of the study, sediment had begun to accumulate in some of the rockpools. At the 2-year mark, the sediment was removed and assessed for macrofauna. Algal biomass of the seawall and rockpools was estimated using previously obtained dry weight values for the dominant algae taxa. After 2 years, it was determined that artificial rockpools successfully increase species richness of seawalls, particularly at higher tidal levels where water-retaining refugia are crucial for many species. The rockpools hosted 37 sessile taxa and 9 sessile taxa were recorded on the seawall. Rockpools increased the vertical elevation for brown canopy-forming seaweeds by providing better attachment surfaces. Although the retained sediment only hosted 3 infaunal species, it was observed to provide shelter for shore crabs during surveys. As sea levels and ocean and air temperatures continue to rise, vertical eco-engineering arrangements will play a crucial role in allowing species to migrate up the tidal zone, negating habitat loss and localised extinction.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/40252/

Source: Europe PubMed Central

Vertical arrays of artificial rockpools on a seawall provide refugia across tidal levels for intertidal species in the UK

Authors: Bone, J.R., Stafford, R., Hall, A.E. and Herbert, R.J.H.

Journal: Science of the Total Environment

Volume: 951

Publisher: Elsevier

ISSN: 0048-9697

Abstract:

Eco-engineering of coastal infrastructure aims to address the insufficient intertidal habitat provided by coastal development and flood defence. There are numerous ways to enhance coastal infrastructure with habitat features, but a common method involves retrofitting artificial rockpools. Often these are ‘bolt-on’ units that are fixed to existing coastal infrastructure but there is a paucity of literature on how to optimise their arrangement for biodiversity.

In this study, 24 artificial rockpools were installed at three levels between High Water Neaps and Mean Tide Level on a vertical concrete seawall on the south coast of the UK. The species abundance of the rockpools and adjacent seawall were surveyed at low tide for 2 years following rockpool installation and compared. Over the course of the study, sediment had begun to accumulate in some of the rockpools. At the 2-year mark, the sediment was removed and assessed for macrofauna. Algal biomass of the seawall and rockpools was estimated using previously obtained dry weight values for the dominant algae taxa.

After 2 years, it was determined that artificial rockpools successfully increase species richness of seawalls, particularly at higher tidal levels where water-retaining refugia are crucial for many species. The rockpools hosted 37 sessile taxa and 9 sessile taxa were recorded on the seawall. Rockpools increased the vertical elevation for brown canopy-forming seaweeds by providing better attachment surfaces. Although the retained sediment only hosted 3 infaunal species, it was observed to provide shelter for shore crabs during surveys. As sea levels and ocean and air temperatures continue to rise, vertical eco-engineering arrangements will play a crucial role in allowing species to migrate up the tidal zone, negating habitat loss and localised extinction.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/40252/

Source: BURO EPrints