Nadav Shashar

Coral reefs are experiencing severe decline due to anthropogenic stressors and natural disturbances, necessitating innovative restoration strategies. Micro-fragmentation is a method used for accelerating coral growth and enhancing reef rehabilitation. This study investigates the use of micro-fragments to cover an artificial three-dimensional bottomless cube structure designed to increase space efficiency, structural complexity, and scalability for coral restoration. We examined four Hexacorallia species, Cyphastrea microphthalma, Galaxea fascicularis, Pocillopora favosa and Stylophora pistillata to evaluate species-specific and source colony-specific survival and growth rates. Over 204 days, micro-fragments demonstrated both tissue growth and fusion, at varying degrees, with G. fascicularis exhibiting the highest survival and growth rates. Corals grew and fused over the surfaces of the test structures and fused across corners. Our results demonstrate variation in fragment survival and fusion potential among species and colonies, highlighting the importance of source colony and species selection in restoration efforts. Notably, we found that coral fragments could successfully fuse after six months of separation. This approach has broad applications in reef restoration and the ornamental coral trade, offering a scalable solution to lessen the impact of coral harvesting on natural ecosystems. Our findings highlight the potential of designed 3D structures to support efficient coral restoration in degraded reef environments.

Predator–prey encounters constitute high-risk events for both interacting parties, eliciting increased vigilance and elevated arousal as the likelihood of attack rises. Although cephalopods are renowned for their dynamic body patterns, the extent to which these chromatic displays track internal arousal or emotional valence during predation remains largely unresolved. We investigated seven chromatic components expressed by Sepia (acanthosepion) pharaonis (Ehrenberg, 1831) under controlled variations of prey accessibility, social context, and hunting outcomes to determine whether body-pattern dynamics reflect underlying emotion-like states. Chromatic expression intensified as predation progressed, peaking when prey was held in the arms. This rise was dominated by the fragmented dark mantle component, which emerged as a robust and context-general marker of heightened arousal. In contrast, two components – red fins and the iridescent blue mantle-margin stripe – were selectively upregulated in negative-valence situations, including inaccessible prey or the presence of a conspecific. Papillate skin expression showed the opposite trajectory and was modulated by interaction intensity rather than arousal. Together, these findings provide the first evidence that S. pharaonis cuttlefish exhibits dissociable chromatic signatures corresponding to arousal and valence. Our work offers a quantitative framework for interpreting cephalopod body patterns as indicators of internal states and informs broader theories on the evolution of emotional expression in non-human animals.

With the increasing global population and migration toward coastal regions, and the rising demand for coastal urbanization, including the development of living spaces, ports, and tourism infrastructure, the need for coastal defense structures (CDSs) is also increasing. Traditional CDSs, such as breakwaters, typically composed of hard units designed to block and divert wave and current energy, often fail to support diverse and abundant marine communities because of their impact on current and sediment transport, the introduction of invasive species, and the loss of natural habitats. Marine ecoengineering aims at increasing CDS ecological services and the development of marine organisms on them. In this study, carried out in a coral reef environment, we examined the relationship between coral colony protection levels and three factors related to their development, namely, coral fragment survival rate, larval settlement, and water motion (flow rate), across three distinct niches: Exposed, Semi-sheltered, and Sheltered. Coral survivability was assessed through fragment planting, while recruitment was monitored using ceramic settlement tiles. Water motion was measured in all defined niches using plaster of Paris Clod-Cards. Additionally, concrete barrier structures were placed in Exposed niches to test whether artificially added protective elements could enhance coral fragment survival. No differences were found in coral settlement between the niches. Flow rate patterns remained similar in Exposed and Sheltered niches due to vortex formation in the Sheltered zones. Survival analysis revealed variability between niches, with the addition of artificial shelter barriers leading to the highest coral fragment survival on the breakwater. This study contributes to the development of ways to enhance coral development with the goal of transforming artificial barriers into functional artificial reefs.

The global demand for coastal urbanization is rising with the increasing population. Alas, living close to the ocean threatens human endeavors with high currents, waves, and increasing storm frequency. Accordingly, the need for more coastal defense structures (CDSs) rises. Structures built from complex units meant to prevent and/or mitigate coastal erosion and floods, additionally providing wave protection or wave attenuation, are constructed on and near natural habitats where they alter local ecosystems. Traditional CDSs mostly fail to harbor diverse and abundant communities. However, this can be changed by eco-friendly methodologies and designs that are being tested and implemented to improve CDSs’ ecological value. Some of these can be implemented during the construction period, while others can fit on existing structures, such as wave breakers and seawalls. Effective methods include augmenting surface rugosity through strategic perforations, integrating artificial panels for increased complexity, implementing soft (naturally based) engineering solutions such as geotextiles, replacing industrial concrete mixtures for CDS construction with “green concrete” and ecologically friendly mixtures, and using alternative, eco-friendly units in CDS erections. In this mini review, we suggest that by integrating sustainable practices into coastal development, we can significantly mitigate the ecological damage caused by traditional CDSs and promote more harmonious relationships between human construction and the marine environment. This shift towards environmentally conscious coastal defenses is essential and a responsibility for ensuring the long-term sustainability of our coastal communities and the health of our oceans. We present current methodologies used on breakwaters worldwide.

The global demand for coastal urbanization is rising with the increasing population. Alas, living close to the ocean threatens human endeavors with high currents, waves, and increasing storm frequency. Accordingly, the need for more coastal defense structures (CDS) rises. Structures built from complex units meant to block and divert waves and currents energy are constructed on and near natural habitats where they alter local ecosystems. Traditional CDS mostly fail to harbor diverse and abundant communities. However, this can be changed by eco-friendly methodologies and designs that are being tested and implemented to improve CDS ecological value. Some of these can be implemented during the construction period while others can fit on existing structures, such as wavebreakers and seawalls. Effective methods include augmenting surface rugosity through strategic perforations, integrating artificial panels for increased complexity, implementing soft engineering solutions such as geotextile, replacing industrial mixtures for CDS construction with ecologically friendly mixtures, and using alternative, eco-friendly, units in CDS erections. By integrating these sustainable practices into coastal development, we can significantly mitigate the ecological damage caused by traditional CDS and promote more harmonious relationships between human construction and the marine environment. This shift towards environmentally conscious coastal defenses is essential and a responsibility for ensuring the long-term sustainability of our coastal communities and the health of our oceans.