Revitalizing Coastal Ecosystems: The Intersection of 3D-Printed Artificial Reefs, IoT, and Robotics
Coastal ecosystems worldwide are indispensable, nurturing biodiversity and productivity while offering services like food and fresh water supply, climate regulation, flood control, recreation, aesthetic value, nutrient cycling, and soil formation. However, these ecosystems are increasingly threatened by human activities such as climate change, tourism, aquaculture, over-fishing, and the operation of desalination plants, ports, and marinas. These pressures are not limited to areas with restricted coastlines, such as the one of Cyprus but also affect countries with extensive yet congested coastlines. Nature-based Solutions like artificial reefs emerge as innovative solutions to these threats. Artificial reefs increase coastal complexity increasing diversity and productivity. The CMMI utilizes 3D printing that will benefit the natural environment and also provide a test-bed for the development of novel IoT and marine vehicles for eco-friendly marine use cases. 3D-printed artificial reefs will be designed to regenerate marine ecosystems and protect biodiversity, allowing seamless integration and synergy with IoT and robotic assets equipped with sensing, processing, and communications providing environmental monitoring and early warning capabilities. The CMMI calls for collaboration between academic and research organizations, the industry, and the public for the success of this initiative.