The Veterinary Medical Aquatic Animal Research Center of Excellence (VMARCE), Chulalongkorn University has created Innovareef—lifelike cement-based structures, convenient for planula settlement and growth, accelerating recovery of the coral reef ecosystem, promoting eco-tourism as well as functioning as smart stations for marine environmental monitoring.
Beautiful coral reefs in Thai seas have been gradually deteriorating due to global warming that causes coral bleaching, in addition to certain human activities without proper control and environmental consciousness. Currently, only one-third of the beautiful and perfect coral reefs remain! If we don’t solve this problem now, there will be no marine food sources, dive sites for nature study, and tourism income sources for the next generations. bangkok university
The past solutions of artificial reefs made from used car tires, tanks, PVC pipes, and cement cubes have created visual pollution as they do not blend in with the underwater nature. Besides, these artificial reefs are occasionally drifted out by tidal forces, submerged by the sand, or decomposed into microplastic garbage.
“In nature conservation, methods are as important as results,” notes Associate Professor Dr. Nantarika Chansue, Director of VMARCE and Head of Ornamental Aquatic Animal and Aquatic Animals for Conservation Research Unit (OAAC), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, on the concepts of Innovareef for the conservation of coral reefs and marine beauty.
“We’re trying to create lifelike artificial reefs with lifelike branches to promote settlement of planula and pores for tidal forces resistance and habitats for marine species. Our Innovareef will help accelerate the recovery of coral reefs to match their destruction rate.”
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