Ocean Ecostructures has completed the third report, compiling data from the latest monitoring conducted on October 17 and comparing it with the previous sampling on May 23, 2023. Although a decrease in biodiversity was observed in the October sampling, this variation is attributed to seasonal changes and aligns with findings from other ports along the Spanish coast. We now await further developments during the winter and next spring, when an increase in species richness and biomass is anticipated.

In November 2022, ten Life Boosting Units (LBUs) were installed in Cívitas Puerto Banús in collaboration with Ocean Ecostructures. These structures were placed in various areas of the port to support the regeneration of marine biodiversity, restore life, and promote the revitalization and recycling of marine infrastructure and degraded environments.

Increase in global biodiversity and in each Life Boosting Unit (LBU) installed in the marina
The primary objective of the study is to monitor the colonization and ecological succession within the Life Boosting Units installed in Puerto José Banús. Over the monitoring period, the report has tracked species recruitment and the differences in community composition across the LBUs depending on their location.

This report presents findings after eleven months since the LBUs were introduced. The ten structures were installed across three locations within the port, as shown in Image 1. Details on the number of units per area are provided in Table 1.

Results and general condition of the LBU regeneration units 

The communities developing within the LBUs have shown growth in accumulated biomass and coverage (Image 2), along with increased complexity in the ecological assemblages formed.

The most frequently observed species associated with the units include red algae from the order Ceramiales and the ascidian Clavelina lepadiformis. In the May sampling, a higher presence of mobile fish species such as Chromis chromis and several Diplodus species was recorded. However, in October, a decline in these mobile species was noted, while benthic species like the hydrozoan Eudendrium racemosum and polychaetes from the genus Filograna increased.

General biodiversity in the structures in Cívitas Puerto Banús 

Figure 1 illustrates the evolution of biodiversity across the port. Despite the October decline, the overall trend remains upward. In the first sampling on March 7, four months after installation, LBUs showed approximately 51% more biodiversity than the control wall. In May, biodiversity in the LBUs was 73% higher (56 species in LBUs vs. 15 on the wall). In October, LBUs maintained a 53% advantage (38 species in LBUs vs. 18 on the wall).

The present results indicate that the operation of the units is optimal: 

• Biodiversity in the LBUs consistently exceeds that of the port walls, which serve as control units. This increase is evident both across the port and within each individual LBU.

• Zone 2 shows the strongest biodiversity results, with all LBUs outperforming the control wall. The most notable case is in Zone 3, unit 3.4, where benthic biodiversity is 133% higher and mobile fauna biodiversity is 16% higher than the control.

• In terms of biomass, the CaCO₃-based units are responding very positively, generating more biomass than the control walls.

• Zone 3 leads in biomass accumulation, with 37% more than Zone 2 and 407% more than Zone 1. 

• The animal and plant communities forming within the LBUs include a wide variety of species and groups that contribute to the development of a naturalized ecosystem, fulfilling many of the ecological roles essential for proper ecosystem function.