SERG-Research Initiatives

Ogden Point Reef Ball Project

Research conducted by Valerie Mucciarelli for her masters thesis topic on marine habitat complexity and community succession using artificial reef balls

The Reef Ball Project at Ogden Point is a unique opportunity to learn more about the plants and animals in Victoria’s marine environment. With the help of many volunteers we will explore how best to restore subtidal rocky reef habitats, a vital but disappearing component of healthy marine communities. In a series of scientific experiments we will assess how different sizes, depths, and configurations of reefs influence community development and diversity.

To study plant and animal diversity in a subtidal environment, 92 Reef Balls were deployed at Ogden Point on June 27th 2009. A Reef Ball is an artificial reef structure that acts as a reef by providing a hard surface for seaweeds, barnacles and other plants and animals to grow. The holes within the structure provide fish, crabs and other marine organisms protection from predators.

The waters surrounding BC possess some of the greatest marine biodiversity in the world, but very little research has been conducted in the subtidal environment. With the aid of the University of Victoria, the Veins of Life Watershed Society, local dive shops, divers and the Victoria community, we will learn more about our incredibly diverse and economically important marine environment.

Website coming soon!