Combined composite-function artificial coral reef body

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of marine ecological environment artificial restoration, in particular to a combined type composite function artificial coral reef which is formed by combining three single bodies, each single body is of a regular sheet structure, stacking storage and long-distance transportation are convenient, and the combined type composite function artificial coral reef is suitable for being applied to an ocean environment. The artificial coral reef body has a high surface area volume ratio, the assembled three-dimensional point reef has good permeability, an attachment base can be provided for main reef building organism groups of coral reefs such as madrepore, tridacna and calcified algae, and meanwhile a sheltering space is provided for other reef living organisms. The construction method of the artificial coral reef base is optimized, and a practical effect is achieved for protection of coral reefs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of artificial restoration technology for marine ecological environment, and to a device for ecological restoration in coral reef ecosystems, specifically a combined composite functional artificial coral reef structure applicable to nearshore, lagoon and offshore coral reefs. Background Technology

[0002] Coral reef ecosystems are holistic systems formed by the calcareous remains of reef-building corals and the accumulation of calcareous algae in tropical and subtropical oceans, along with their biological communities. They are among the most productive ecosystems globally, boasting rich biodiversity, high primary productivity, and rapid material cycling. They hold significant ecological importance for the sustainable development of the global marine environment and human society, particularly in areas such as coastal protection, environmental conservation, and providing seafood, pharmaceuticals, and raw materials for construction and industry.

[0003] The dual pressures of global climate change and regional human activities have accelerated the degradation of typical coral reef ecosystems in my country, even leading to large-scale bleaching and death. Therefore, the protection and habitat restoration of coral reef ecosystems have become crucial priorities in recent years. Since natural coral growth takes a long time, artificial intervention is necessary to quickly restore coral reef ecosystems. Live coral transplantation, supplementing with live coral polyps, deploying coral reef substrates, and releasing fish are all measures for artificial intervention and ecosystem restoration, helping coral reef ecosystems to recover themselves. Deploying coral reef substrates, as an important habitat restoration measure, provides a substrate for reef-building organisms such as corals and is a vital tool for reconstructing and optimizing coral reef habitats. Addressing the challenges of transporting artificial coral reefs in open ocean environments, it is particularly important to reduce the transport volume and increase the convenience of transporting the reefs, while ensuring sufficient three-dimensional habitat space. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the problem of inconvenient transportation of artificial coral reefs in deep-sea environments by providing a modular, composite functional artificial coral reef structure. This structure is used for the three-dimensional reconstruction of coral reef ecosystems or the construction of coral ecological point reefs in areas with varying degrees of damage. It is widely applicable to coral reef ecological restoration projects in tropical coral reef areas using reef rocks, coral gravel, and coral sandy substrates. Furthermore, the artificial coral reef structure can be manufactured and transported in individual units before assembly and use, and these units can be stacked in planar fashion, saving transportation space.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a combined composite functional artificial coral reef, comprising:

[0006] Two first sheet-like monomers, the first sheet-like monomers having an X-shaped planar shape with grooves on the central side, and the first sheet-like monomers having a flat plate structure;

[0007] A second sheet-like monomer, the second sheet-like monomer having a square planar shape, the square having grooves on its sides, the second sheet-like monomer having a flat plate structure;

[0008] The first and second sheet-like monomers can be stacked in a planar manner to save transportation space; and two first sheet-like monomers and one second sheet-like monomer can fit together through their grooves to form a structurally stable three-dimensional artificial coral reef, which can serve as a transplant base for various reef-building organisms.

[0009] The combined composite functional artificial coral reef as described above further includes an X-shaped end with a flat surface and holes in the flat surface.

[0010] In the combined composite functional artificial coral reef structure described above, the upward-facing holes in the three-dimensional artificial coral reef structure during use are planting holes, and the downward-facing holes in the three-dimensional artificial coral reef structure during use are fixing holes.

[0011] The combined functional artificial coral reef as described above further includes planting holes on the square facing upwards during use.

[0012] The combined composite functional artificial coral reef as described above further includes a groove on the downward-facing central side of the three-dimensional artificial coral reef during use, and a groove on the downward-facing square side of the three-dimensional artificial coral reef during use.

[0013] The combined composite functional artificial coral reef structure described above further comprises a first sheet-like monomer and a second sheet-like monomer made of reinforced concrete.

[0014] In the method of using the combined composite functional artificial coral reef as described above, the reef-building organisms further include at least corals, giant clams, and calcified algae.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this invention are as follows:

[0016] (1) The modular composite artificial coral reef of the present invention is a planar single-unit combination structure. During production and transportation, the units can be stacked in a planar manner, which greatly saves transportation space. The units have a lighter self-weight, which can improve the efficiency of underwater transportation and assembly.

[0017] (2) The combined composite functional artificial coral reef of the present invention can provide a rich three-dimensional structure after assembly, with a high surface area to volume ratio, and can provide habitat for a variety of organisms. At the same time, the appropriate height and high permeability can effectively reduce the impact of suspended sand cover.

[0018] (3) The three-dimensional structure of the artificial coral reef provided by the present invention can provide attachment sites for a variety of organisms such as corals, giant clams, and calcified algae, which facilitates community matching in the process of ecological restoration. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the combined artificial coral reef of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first sheet-like unit (or X-shaped unit) component of the combined artificial coral reef of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first sheet-like unit (or X-shaped unit) component of the combined artificial coral reef of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 These are underwater scene photos of the application of the combined artificial coral reef structure of this invention in ecological restoration.

[0024] In the attached diagram: 1. First sheet-like unit; 11. Planting hole; 12. Fixing hole; 13. Groove of the first sheet-like unit; 2. Second sheet-like unit; 21. Planting hole; 22. Groove of the second sheet-like unit. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0026] Example:

[0027] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of the invention described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, in the embodiments of this invention are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0028] In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified. Furthermore, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0029] See Figures 1 to 3 To address the inconvenience of transporting artificial coral reefs in deep-sea environments, this invention provides a modular composite artificial coral reef, comprising: two first sheet-like monomers 1 (or X-shaped monomers) and one second sheet-like monomer 2 (or square monomer). Specifically, the first sheet-like monomer has an X-shaped planar shape with grooves on its central side and is a flat plate structure; the second sheet-like monomer has a square planar shape with grooves on its sides and is also a flat plate structure. Multiple first and second sheet-like monomers can be stacked in planar fashion to save transportation space. Furthermore, two first sheet-like monomers and one second sheet-like monomer fit together through their grooves to form a structurally stable three-dimensional artificial coral reef, serving as a transplanting substrate for various reef-building organisms. For example, the first sheet-like monomer is 136 cm long, 70 cm wide, and 10 cm thick; the second sheet-like monomer has a side length of 60 cm and a thickness of 10 cm. For example, the grooves can be mortise and tenon joints.

[0030] The modular composite artificial coral reef provided in this embodiment can be manufactured and transported in individual units before assembly and use. Each unit can be stacked in a plane to save transportation space. After assembly, it can be used for the three-dimensional reconstruction of coral reef ecosystems in areas with different degrees of damage or the construction of coral ecological point reefs. It is widely applicable to coral reef ecological restoration projects in tropical coral reef areas with reef rocks, coral gravel, and coral sandy bottoms.

[0031] In some embodiments, the ends of the X-shape have flat surfaces for placement on the seabed. Further, the upper and lower parts of the X-shaped individual unit of this modular composite artificial coral reef have through-holes for fixing the reef to the seabed. Exemplarily, the upward-facing hole in the three-dimensional artificial coral reef during use is a planting hole 11, and the downward-facing hole is a fixing hole 12. Exemplarily, the planting hole can be a coral planting hole, and the fixing hole can be a rivet fixing hole.

[0032] Furthermore, the three-dimensional artificial coral reef body has planting holes 21 on the square facing upwards during use. For example, the upward-facing side of the square unit has holes suitable for transplanting coral reef shellfish such as giant clams, and the other side of the unit has a groove that fits the bevel of the X-shaped unit, which facilitates the formation of a stable structure between the three units.

[0033] In some embodiments, the three-dimensional artificial coral reef has a groove on its downward-facing central side when in use, and the three-dimensional artificial coral reef has a groove on the downward-facing square side when in use. Exemplarily, during assembly, the grooves 13 of two identical first sheet-like units are firstly aligned vertically to form a three-dimensional structure, and then the groove 22 of the second sheet-like unit is aligned downwards with the inclined surface of the X-shaped unit to form a stable three-dimensional structure.

[0034] In some embodiments, the first sheet-like monomer and the second sheet-like monomer are made of reinforced concrete.

[0035] In some embodiments, the combined composite functional artificial coral reef can be pre-embedded with adhesive granules at appropriate locations to fix stainless steel foundation piles for coral transplantation. Exemplarily, at predetermined foundation pile locations, specialized equipment is used to uniformly pre-embed adhesive granules into the seabed substrate, ensuring a tight bond between the granules and the substrate to form a stable foundation. Then, at the predetermined foundation pile locations, specialized equipment is used to uniformly pre-embed adhesive granules into the seabed substrate, ensuring a tight bond between the granules and the substrate to form a stable foundation.

[0036] In some embodiments, calcified algae are fixed in different ways depending on their morphology. Creeping calcified algae can be pasted onto a suitable flat or sloping surface of the reef, while branching calcified algae can be transplanted and fixed by inserting pre-embedded adhesive granules into stainless steel base piles, similar to the transplantation method for corals.

[0037] See Figure 4 The artificial coral reef, fixed to the seabed through the aforementioned combined composite functional holes, can simultaneously serve as a transplant substrate for various reef-building organisms. For example, the reef-building organisms include at least corals, giant clams, and calcified algae.

[0038] As a preferred implementation case: This implementation case was carried out by the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in the lagoon and reef slope waters with a depth of 5-10 meters in a coral reef area of ​​the South China Sea.

[0039] Based on the environmental and biological characteristics of the area to be restored, this case study deployed a total of 60 reefs of this type. Before deployment, the reefs were marked and positioned within the conservation area. Then, the reefs were pre-assembled and fitted with grafting nails on the mother ship, and marked with numbers. The reefs were first lifted by a crane onto a small boat and then transported to the conservation area for deployment and underwater assembly. Underwater assembly was completed by two divers.

[0040] After the reef assembly was completed, reef-building organisms such as corals, giant clams, and calcified algae were transplanted. In this case, a total of 7 coral species were transplanted (including warty cup coral, robust staghorn coral, intermediate staghorn coral, beautiful staghorn coral, wave staghorn coral, Ehrlich's cup coral, columnar coral, bluish-gray rose coral, and arrow-shaped hole coral), with a transplant density of 15-20 specimens per reef. The giant clams transplanted in this case were *Tridacna saffron*, with 3-4 specimens per reef. The calcified algae transplanted in this case were shell-shaped coral algae, with 4-6 specimens per reef.

[0041] The results of biological resource surveys conducted in the area at the initial stage and one month after the deployment of the artificial coral reef fish biodiversity and abundance showed that the survival rate of transplanted corals, giant clams, and calcified algae generally reached over 80%. The artificial coral reefs deployed in this case study can significantly improve the biodiversity and abundance of rock-building corals in the restored sea area, and the fish-attracting effect of the artificial coral reefs is obvious.

[0042] It should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention.

[0043] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0044] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0045] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical concept and features of the present invention, and are intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of the present invention and implement it accordingly. They should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent changes or modifications made based on the essence of the content of the present invention should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A combined, multifunctional artificial coral reef, characterized in that, include: Two first sheet-like monomers, the first sheet-like monomers having an X-shaped planar shape with grooves on the central side, and the first sheet-like monomers having a flat plate structure; A second sheet-like monomer, the second sheet-like monomer having a square planar shape, the square having grooves on its sides, the second sheet-like monomer having a flat plate structure; The first and second sheet-like monomers can be stacked in a planar manner to save transportation space; and two first sheet-like monomers and one second sheet-like monomer can fit together through their grooves to form a structurally stable three-dimensional artificial coral reef, which can serve as a transplant base for various reef-building organisms.

2. The combined composite functional artificial coral reef according to claim 1, characterized in that, The X-shaped end has a flat surface, and the flat surface has holes.

3. The combined composite functional artificial coral reef according to claim 2, characterized in that, The upward-facing holes of the three-dimensional artificial coral reef are planting holes, and the downward-facing holes are fixing holes.

4. The combined composite functional artificial coral reef according to claim 1, characterized in that, The three-dimensional artificial coral reef has planting holes on the square facing upwards when in use.

5. The combined composite functional artificial coral reef according to claim 1, characterized in that, The three-dimensional artificial coral reef has a groove on the downward-facing center side when in use, and the three-dimensional artificial coral reef has a groove on the downward-facing square side when in use.

6. The combined composite functional artificial coral reef according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The first sheet-like monomer and the second sheet-like monomer are made of reinforced concrete.

7. The combined composite functional artificial coral reef according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reef-building organisms include at least corals, giant clams, and calcified algae.

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