Elsevier Structure in the Sea: The Science, Technology and Effects of Purpose-Built Reefs and Related Surfaces

Structure in the Sea: The Science, Technology and Effects of Purpose-Built Reefs and Related Surfaces provides a review of the history, development, status and emerging trends in research, technology and applications of artificial reef habitats and sea floor structures. The book helps readers understand, utilize and add to the research of modern reef deployment efforts, presenting a guide to equip stakeholders requiring technical foundations and best practices. Topics include materials, designs and construction methods, along with the ecology of these structures, including key aspects of the life history of plants and animals associated with artificial reefs. Rigorous research addressing ecological, economic and engineering questions, coupled with the innovative deployment of structures worldwide by diverse stakeholders, have created a synergy that makes the book a valuable synthesis and analysis for this growing subject. Thus, its broad audience includes marine (coastal and ocean) environmental sciences, including aquatic ecologists, those working in ocean sustainability and conservation, benthic habitat and coral reef restoration practitioners, and more. Review A fully comprehensive review of the science, technology and applications of artificial reef habitats and allied structures in the world’s oceans From the Back Cover <p><i>Structure in the Sea: The Science, Technology and Effects of Purpose-Built Artificial Reefs and Related Surfaces </i>is a scholarly review of the history, development, status, and emerging trends in research, technology, and applications of artificial reef habitats and allied sea floor structures in the world’s oceans. Its aims are (1) to serve and inform those seeking to understand, utilize and add to the research of modern reef deployment efforts and (2) guide and equip stakeholders requiring technical foundations and best practices to participate sustainably in the context of ecosystem management. Topics include materials, designs and construction methods used across the globe by those who build reefs; the ecology of these structures including key aspects of life history of plants and animals associated with artificial reefs; evaluation of biological, engineering, social and economic performance of human-built reefs and related structures; and the current and potential role of underwater structure in management of ocean resources such as in marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries and marine ranching, and community economic development. Due to the large collective footprint of other human-made structures on the floor of the ocean, such as shipwrecks, breakwaters, energy production platforms and pipelines (“secondary reefs), the book offers important coverage of them in their unintended but significant role as de facto reefs.</p> <p>Rigorous research addressing ecological, economic and engineering questions, coupled with the innovative deployment of structures worldwide by diverse stakeholders, have created a synergy that makes Structure in the Sea a valuable synthesis and analysis for this growing subject. Thus, its broad audience includes Marine (coastal and ocean) environmental sciences, including: aquatic ecologists, those working in ocean sustainability and conservation, benthic habitat and coral reef restoration practitioners, marine policy and management thought leaders.</p> About the Author William Seaman is Professor Emeritus at the University of Florida and a founding member of its Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences program. Dr. Seaman’s research and technology transfer emphasis on coastal fishes, habitats and fisheries has contributed to developing the scientific basis for design of artificial reefs, their responsible use in fisheries and ecosystem management, and quantitative evaluation of their performance, worldwide. He has edited two widely used multi-disciplinary books on artificial habitats. He has advised several count