Guide to Ecological Engineering: The restoration of coral reefs and associated ecosystems

The IFRECOR Guide to Ecological Engineering: The Restoration of Coral Reefs and Associated Ecosystems provides a comprehensive overview of ecological engineering techniques used in France and worldwide to restore coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves. Building on previous IFRECOR publications, the guide synthesizes recent scientific advances and operational feedback to support contracting authorities, environmental managers, marine protected area administrators and consultants in designing and implementing effective restoration actions. The handbook presents the theoretical foundations of ecological engineering and ecological restoration, clarifying the distinction between restoration, rehabilitation, enhancement and creation. It highlights the major conservation challenges faced by tropical marine ecosystems, including climate change, eutrophication, habitat destruction, and overexploitation. The document details restoration methods for coral reefs (transplantation, coral gardening, electrodeposition), seagrass beds and mangroves, providing practical descriptions, advantages, limitations, and cost-effectiveness metrics. Numerous case studies illustrate real-world applications across the French Overseas Territories and internationally. By integrating ecological theory, regulatory requirements, methodological guidance and field experience, the guide contributes a practical, science-based framework for restoring degraded tropical marine ecosystems and supporting the mitigation hierarchy in coastal development contexts. It also emphasizes the importance of monitoring, adaptive management and stakeholder engagement to ensure long-term restoration success.