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Reef Restoration—the Good and the Bad, A Paleobiologic Perspective

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 July 2017

Jere H. Lipps
Jere H. Lipps*
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, University of Georgia, Athens 30602
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Abstract

Little good and a lot of bad come from reef restoration. Reefs damaged by humans and nature are “restored” using unnatural materials as substrata quickly occupied by corals and fish. This is commonly considered good, for seemingly the reef has been returned to a “healthy” state; fish can be caught again and tourists return for the “beautiful reefs”. Restoration, the act of reestablishing a former state, has never been accomplished on a reef; rather reefs have been manipulated to conform to particular human values without regard for the entire reef—its ecology, trophodynamics, hydrodyamics, physical or chemical characteristics of pseudo-substrata, geochemistry, nutrient supply, and even reef aesthetics among a multitude of others. People seemingly cannot leave well enough alone when it comes to reefs that have been noticeably damaged. Yet, that is exactly what reefs need—time without interference. Careful analysis of the total consequences of various methods is required. Reefs evolved over millions of years in one of the harshest environments on earth—the air-water interface. They are well adapted to recover from physical damage of almost any sort. Reefs are not fragile. Thoughtful assistance would help, using materials occurring naturally within reef systems, by involving regional stakeholders in natural processes of restoration, and by stringent protection regulations and agreements. Opportunistic “restoration” by well-meaning, misguided or avaricious people without careful consideration of what really constitutes a reef is a major mistake that will eventually degrade reefs and need restoration itself. Protection of reefs is the best option, followed by letting natural restorative processes take place over long times.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Paleontological Society Papers , Volume 17: Corals and Reefs: Crises, Collapse and Change , October 2011 , pp. 139 - 152
Copyright
Copyright © 2011 by The Paleontological Society 

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