Reefwatchers: safe, efficient and scalable biodiversity monitoring for biogenic and artificial reefs
Type:
Presented during:
CEDA Dredging Days 2026
Authors:
R. Helmons, J. Alonso Mora, M. Christianen, J. Garst, R. Nijland, R. Free, S. Henrion and D. van Oevelen
Abstract
There is a global recognition that biodiversity is declining rapidly, directly affecting ecosystem services essential to human well-being, such as food production, water quality and coastal protection. While the causes of biodiversity loss are well documented, there is still a gap in understanding which restoration measures are most effective and how business can integrate biodiversity considerations into decision-making. This gap is even wider for marine ecosystems, where limited data, accessibility and high costs of operation make implementation of effective restoration strategies more challenging. Without standardized, cost-effective monitoring tools and metrics, biodiversity efforts remain difficult to evaluate, justify and scale. This slows progress towards restoring biodiversity. The Reefwatchers project will bridge the gap between biodiversity monitoring and business decision-making by developing safe, cost-effective, scalable, and standardized monitoring approaches.