The results demonstrate that biomimetic artificial reef designs significantly enhance benthic colonization compared to simpler structures. Prototypes with higher structural complexity, including increased մակroporosity and surface heterogeneity, showed faster biofilm formation and greater biomass accumulation, as indicated by chlorophyll-a measurements. Statistical analyses confirmed that both time and morphology are key drivers of colonization dynamics, with clear ecological succession observed from microbial communities to macroalgae and zoobenthos. The integration of environmental data revealed that temperature and other abiotic factors influence colonization rates, supporting the importance of site-specific deployment strategies. The developed monitoring application proved effective in estimating colonization trends, reducing the need for direct intervention. Additionally, the creation of molds for concrete reef units demonstrated the feasibility of scaling up production. Site analysis identified several suitable locations for pilot deployment, each requiring tailored approaches.

• Black Sea biodiversity reef restoration