Abstract Summary
Anthropogenic structures submerged in the sea over thousands of years provide hard and longstanding evidence of human influence in the marine environment. Many of these structures were created for purposes such as fishing or tourism, but they may also provide unique opportunities for conservation. This potential can only be fully explored by moving beyond comparisons with "natural" coral or rocky reefs and considering them as ecosystems in their own right. In order to assess the conservation impacts of these structures and manage their future, a broad analysis of their biodiversity and social values is necessary. This requires: (1) collation of information on their number, location, characteristics, and associated biodiversity worldwide, (2) a system for their assessment in conservation, and (3) a move toward a nuanced, integrated understanding of the social and ecological roles they play. This more integrative approach can catalyse positive conversations around management of anthropogenic reefs for conservation benefit, the development of best practice guidelines and exploitation of learning opportunities for researchers and others.
