0023-6152

AA00697606

2232291

We propose a marine ecosystem restoration means to build marine ecosystems and restore marine forests by introducing ecological engineering concepts to oceans that have lost habitats and include dysfunctional marine ecosystems using pyramid–shaped artificial reefs during 2016 to 2017 at Mundong, Busan, Korea. The marine algal succession in the artificial reefs was as follows: in January of 2016, two months after the reef installment, only Ulva spp. and non–geniculated coralline algae were found. Ten months after installment, non–geniculated coralline algae were dominant; however, perennial Ecklonia cava continued to grow robustly. During the 2 years of monitoring, Ecklonia cava and Grateloupia elliptica were the dominant species growing on the artificial reefs. During the earlier stages post–installment, short–lived annual marine algae attached and grew on the reefs; however, as time progressed, the algal succession pattern changed to perennial marine algal dominance. In this study with artificial reefs, from the early stages post reef installment, various marine algal succession were observed in stages, and after normal structured communities were formed, a large perennial brown algae colony attached to the reef and formed a stable community. When installing artificial reef in new regions for ecological restoration, higher success rates will be observed if the surrounding vegetation is considered and the installation timed to when the large marine algae release their spores. Therefore, the timing of artificial reef installment should be carefully considered.