Although generally thought to negatively impact marine ecosystems by encouraging ocean sprawl, man-made structures, such as those for oil and gas extraction and offshore wind, wave and tidal energy, might instead play a critical role in keeping coral populations intact, ensuring their resilience.

According to the authors of the research recently published in the journal Scientific Reports: "Highly connected networks generally improve resilience in complex systems. We present a novel application of this paradigm and investigated the potential for anthropogenic structures in the ocean to enhance connectivity of a protected species threatened by human pressures and climate change."

Using a computer model, researchers demonstrated how industrial structures in the North Sea might encourage coral to spread, discovering that “coral larvae released near oil platforms would travel between corals that have colonized other structures and reach natural populations located at great distances."

Researchers also noted that the larvae belonging to the species Lophelia pertusa can "supplement existing populations and recolonize damaged reefs and protected areas in other countries, improving their chances of survival."

As such, the study "offers the provocative suggestion that ocean infrastructure can have large-scale conservation significance to protected species. Simulations illustrated how North Sea oil and gas installations have the strong potential to form [a] highly inter-connected regional network of anthropogenic coral ecosystems capable of supplying larvae to natural populations downstream."

Highlighting the significance of the North Seas’ response to the man-made structures in place since the 1970s, co-author Dr. Lea-Anne Henry explained: "We need to think very carefully about the best strategies to remove these platforms, bearing in mind the key role they may now play in the North Sea ecosystem."

For more on the study, go to the journal Scientific Reports.