Study

Colonization and weathering of engineering materials by marine microorganisms: an SEM study

  • Published source details Coombes M.A., Naylor L.A., Thompson R.C., Roast S.D., Gómez‐Pujol L. & Fairhurst R.J. (2011) Colonization and weathering of engineering materials by marine microorganisms: an SEM study. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 36, 582-593.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Use environmentally-sensitive material on intertidal artificial structures

Action Link
Biodiversity of Marine Artificial Structures
  1. Use environmentally-sensitive material on intertidal artificial structures

    A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2008–2009 on two intertidal rocky reefs on open coastlines in the Celtic Sea and the English Channel, UK (Coombes et al. 2011) found that limestone settlement plates supported lower microalgal abundance than concrete plates, while abundance on granite plates was higher than or similar to concrete depending on the type of microalgae. After eight months, round microalgal abundance was lower on limestone plates (5% cover) than concrete (61%), and higher than both on granite plates (82%). Filamentous microalgae was less abundant on limestone (13%) than granite (33%) and concrete (30%), which were similar. Settlement plates (100 × 100 mm) were made from limestone, granite and concrete. Two of each were randomly arranged horizontally in each of two patches at midshore on each of two rocky reefs in May 2008. Microalgal cover on plates was measured using a scanning electron microscope after eight months.

    (Summarised by: Ally Evans)

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust