A study of colonization of the experimental artificial reefs off St Julian's Bay by sessile biota

Abstract

The aim of the present study were to study the time course of the development of settlement of marine biota on each of four artificial reefs; to determine whether the reef material (Globigerina versus concrete) and location have an effect on colonisation; and to assess if succession occurs according to one of the various proposed models of marine ecological succession. In the present study, for each of the reefs, five photographic quadrats were taken at the edge and randomly on each face (vertical, south/west, and horizontal), in three different sessions (May 2005, November 2005, November 2006). The photographic quadrats were analysed and the organisms present were identified (aided by examinations of sample biota scraped from the reefs) as far as practicable and their % cover was estimated. The overall structure of the reefs was monitored using videography.