EcoSphere Foundation

Site-Specific Research for the UK

Environmental Conditions and Biodiversity

The UK has diverse marine habitats, ranging from temperate kelp forests and seagrass meadows to deep-sea cold-water corals. These ecosystems play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration.

  • Water Temperature: Ranges from 5°C in winter to 20°C in summer, making it less suitable for tropical coral reefs but ideal for kelp forests and artificial reef structures that support fish populations.

  • Salinity & pH: Generally stable at around 35 PSU (practical salinity units) and a pH of ~8.1, maintaining a good environment for marine life.

  • Tidal Influence & Currents: The UK has one of the highest tidal ranges in the world, particularly in the Bristol Channel and the Severn Estuary, which provides opportunities for reef structures to act as fish aggregators.

Existing Conservation Efforts

The UK has 230+ Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) covering over 40% of British waters. These include:

  • Dogger Bank MPA: One of the largest sandbank habitats in Europe, an excellent candidate for artificial reefs.

  • Sussex Kelp Restoration Project: Ongoing restoration of 300 square kilometers of kelp forests off the Sussex coast.

  • Trawling Restrictions: The government is phasing in bans on bottom trawling in MPAs to protect seafloor habitats.

Opportunities for Artificial Reefs

  1. Kelp Forest & Seagrass Bed Expansion: Artificial reef modules could be placed in MPAs to act as anchors for kelp forests and seagrass meadows, helping restore lost habitats and increase carbon sequestration.

  2. Shellfish Reef Restoration: The UK has lost 85% of its oyster reefs. Reef structures could support native oyster beds (Ostrea edulis) to boost biodiversity.

  3. Wave-Resilient Reefs: Given the strong tidal influence, artificial reef designs must be structurally robust and hydrodynamic.