COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE Primary Source: The introduction of coastal infrastructure as a driver of change in marine environments. (2010) Authors: Fabio Bulleri and Maura G. Chapman, Journal of Applied Ecology Presentation prepared by: Glorynel Ojeda-Matos, BSCE, MP Department of Environmental Sciences University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus
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Discussion of Bulleri et al. 2011 on coastal infrastructure
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COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Primary Source: The introduction of coastal infrastructure as a
driver of change in marine environments. (2010) Authors: Fabio
Bulleri and Maura G. Chapman, Journal of Applied Ecology
Puerto Rico's underwater cable By Gabriel D'Attili
PUNTA ARENAS, VIEQUES, PUERTO RICO
1994 2006
2012 2012
WEBINAR, CTPR (2012): Calentamiento Global y el efecto en nuestras costas. Aurelio Mercado Irizarry, Programa Sea Grant, UPRM
Vary according to the nature of the surrounding
habitat(s)
Evidence that epibiota living on and fish assemblages
associated with artificial structures, differ from those
on natural reefs.
Different types of infrastructure generally provide
vertical habitat, whereas many natural habitats slope
more gently or have heterogeneous topography.
Densities may be abnormally increased, or species
that do not usually come into contact can be forced to
occupy the same area, potentially increasing the
strength of interspecific interactions.
ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS OF COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Altering the feeding behaviour and local distribution -
The biota living on artificial structures may also
provide an important food-source for species living in
adjacent waters.
Fragmentation and loss of habitat
Substantial alteration in the functioning of the system
Many built structures are deployed on sedimentary
bottoms and severe sand-scouring can be an important
cause of mortality for sessile organisms, ultimately
leading to relatively low levels of species richness.
ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS OF COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE
o Potentially causing loss of nursery and foraging
grounds for fish and shorebirds, or breeding sites for
turtles.
o Prevent inland migration of these habitats if sea-
level rises.
o Changes water flow - Disruption of water flow by
infrastructure may stop or limit dispersal of
propagules.
o Illumination – Light Pollution
o Increase rates of sedimentation
ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS OF COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE
In many cases, infrastructure is, however, obligatory, either for public safety or to meet engineering standards (e.g. ports, roads, bridges or wharves). Under these circumstances, minimizing their ecological impacts should be considered a priority.
The age of introduced surfaces is also an important determinant of the extent to which the assemblages they support can resemble those on natural rocky substrata.
Managed retreat or realignment of hard coastal defence structures (mostly seawalls) has been identified as an adaptive strategy for alleviating estuarine flood risk or for the re-establishment of ecologically valuable intertidal habitats.
ALTERNATIVE MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
Burt et al. (2009) have shown that the use of
Gabbro as a material to construct breakwaters
could encourage the recovery of corals in
tropical regions, while Russell et al. (1983) have
shown that disused docks can support diverse
assemblages of marine animals and plants and
can be used to promote educational, amenity
and economic activities.
ALTERNATIVE MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
Conventional coastal engineering compared with
new ecosystem-based defence.
ALTERNATIVE MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
Ecosystem creation and restoration can provide a more
sustainable, cost-effective and ecologically sound
Importance of these novel conditions for sustaining
biodiversity
Successful conservation or management of species
needs robust and up-to-date ecological knowledge
and theories
FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR RESEARCH
Alternative management options might mitigate their impacts.
Incorporate ecological criteria into coastal engineering - to develop improved ways of building infrastructure to provide habitat formore species without compromising engineering standards.
Identify the mechanisms that cause differences in patterns or processes between natural and artificial rocky habitats.
Understanding how fundamental ecological processes (competition, predation, facilitation, etc.) are affected
FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR RESEARCH
Field experiments with adequate replication and
at spatial and temporal scales relevant to
managers so that the results of the experiments
can underpin future management practices.
It is important that engineering practices become
flexible and recognize that the same design may
have different outcomes in different places.
There is little current knowledge about how
connected are marine populations.
The potential role of marine artificial structures
in promoting gene exchange remains virtually
unexplored.
PUERTO RICO
In Puerto Rico there are 8,431 hectares classified as coastal
barriers. These are principally in the Southwest and Northeast
side of the Island. These are fragile and high risk coastal areas,
primarily formed from consolidated sediments. This structure
explains coastal areas’ high instability for construction and
erosion susceptibility.
Needs
Extensive studies of coastal erosion, which include physical
and quantitative estimates of damages from erosion.
Study the process of erosion and sand deposits in various
sites.
Protect the coast using creative, environmentally safe and
cost-effective measures.
Puerto Rico Coastal Zone Management Program, Executive Summary , August 2008
It is not yet possible to provide a ‘recipe book’ of ecological
engineering, but with more experimental collaborations
between engineers and ecologists, progress will be made.