Araştırma Makalesi

A meta-synthesis of artificial reef studies in Türkiye

Cilt: 43 Sayı: 1 25 Şubat 2026
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A meta-synthesis of artificial reef studies in Türkiye

Abstract

This paper systematically reviews artificial reef (AR) studies in Türkiye through a meta-synthesis of 43 studies (49 ARs) between 1990 and 2025. Data were coded and thematically analyzed using descriptive statistics and an AR performance scoring system was used to assess AR sites. The results show a strong concentration of AR projects in the Aegean Sea, where concrete cubic modules are typically deployed at mid-depths for protection and research. Ecological findings confirm ARs attract species like Chromis chromis and Diplodus vulgaris, but increases in species richness and abundance were reported in only about 36-38% of AR sites. Methodologically, visual census/observation predominated while long-term monitoring and socio-economic assessments were limited. An AR performance score averaged 4.07±1.02, indicating moderate success of AR studies. Key deficiencies include a lack of cost reporting, centralized coordination, short monitoring durations, and insufficient socio-economic evaluation. The study concludes that realizing the full potential of ARs in Türkiye requires integrated planning, standardized monitoring, stakeholder involvement, and multifunctional project designs.

Keywords

Etik Beyan

No specific ethical approval was necessary for the study. We have not used AI-assisted technologies in creating this article.

Teşekkür

This study did not receive any financial support, grant or assistance from any public, commercial or nonprofit funding organization. The authors thank the anonymous reviewers for their contribution during the manuscript review process.

Kaynakça

  1. Acarlı, D., & Ayaz, A. (2015). Using concrete artificial reef as a tool to enrich the new marine habitat in Erdek–Ocaklar Bay (Marmara Sea, Turkey). Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 24(2a), 602-611.
  2. Acarlı, D., & Kale, S. (2020a). Species composition of artificial reef models specifically designed for Homarus gammarus (Crustacea: Decapoda: Nephropidae) in the Sea of Marmara. Research in Marine Sciences, 5(1), 625-635.
  3. Acarlı, D., & Kale, S. (2020b). Species-specific artificial reef models for lobster (Homarus gammarus Linnaeus, 1758). Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 37(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.37.1.01
  4. Acarlı, D., Kale, S., & Kocabaş, S. (2020). Biodiversity of TCSG-132 shipwreck artificial reef (Gökçeada, North Aegean Sea) (in Turkish). TCSG-132 shipwreck artificial reef (Gökçeada, North Aegean Sea): Biodiversity. Acta Aquatica Turcica, 16(3), 313 329. https://doi.org/10.22392/actaquatr.677175
  5. Altaş, S. (2019). Determination of artificial habitat areas in the Ordu region and preliminary study (Master’s thesis, Ordu University). YÖK National Thesis Center. (in Turkish)
  6. Baine, M. (2001). Artificial reefs: a review of their design, application, management and performance. Ocean & Coastal Management, 44(3-4), 241-259. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0964-5691(01)00048-5
  7. Bohnsack, J. A. (1989). Are high densities of fishes at artificial reefs the result of habitat limitation or behavioral preference? Bulletin of Marine Science, 44(2), 631-645.
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Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil

İngilizce

Konular

Su Ürünleri Teknolojileri

Bölüm

Araştırma Makalesi

Yayımlanma Tarihi

25 Şubat 2026

Gönderilme Tarihi

15 Aralık 2025

Kabul Tarihi

6 Ocak 2026

Yayımlandığı Sayı

Yıl 2026 Cilt: 43 Sayı: 1

Kaynak Göster

APA
Kaya, Y., & Lök, A. (2026). A meta-synthesis of artificial reef studies in Türkiye. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 43(1), 48-58. https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.43.1.06